From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
What do we expect?
(My church email is not working! Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)
Dear Friends,
In this week’s Gospel reading we see Jesus turning water into wine! Is this what we expect when we come to church at All Saints? I don’t mean a literal miracle during the communion service, but a transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary, the mundane into the exceptional!
Some churches could be accused of turning wine into water – taking the amazing good news and challenge of the Gospel and watering it down so much that there’s nothing left – a Christian homeopathy where the concentration of goodness is so dilute as to be scientifically undetectable!
Why do you come to church? Habit? Now, there’s nothing wrong with having good habits – sometimes it is only our regular patterns of life that get us through the dark times – but in the long-run our church-going must be more! We should go because we are excited to be part of a living, loving, worshipping community – that’s why Zoom or recordings of services can never be a true substitute!
So, come get that wine on Sunday – don’t settle for water alone!
The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 14:17-20, Revelation 19:6-10, and John 2:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns All Creatures of our God and King; Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing; I am the Bread of Life; and A Mighty Fortress!
Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Sermon Video
Every week I spend some hours recording, editing, and uploading the video of the Sunday sermon. If I include the whole service the time spend is proportionally longer. Very few people are watching the recordings so in 2024 we will only record some of the sermons and services.
If you do watch the recordings each week and would really miss them, then email me on iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com
We are also thinking of changing from Zoom to YouTube Live as it offers much better quality!
Morning Meditation – Change of Venue
Morning Meditation continues at 9 am but this week it will be held at All Saints! See Chris or Father Peter for details. (It is in 2024 and not 2004 – time travel not required!)
Chili Night continues next week!
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
God bless you,
Father Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 