From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Slain Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny
(My church email is not working! Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)Dear Friends,
In last week’s sermon, “God’s Fasting”, I quoted from the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. At the time I didn’t know whether he was a man of faith or not, but I commended his courage in speaking out. Since then I found the following quotation, which I think is worth reading:
If you want, I’ll talk to you about God and salvation. I’ll turn up the volume of heartbreak to the maximum, so to speak. The fact is that I am a Christian, which usually rather sets me up as an example for constant ridicule in the Anti-Corruption Foundation, because mostly our people are atheists, and I was once quite a militant atheist myself.
But now I am a believer, and that helps me a lot in my activities, because everything becomes much, much easier. I think about things less. There are fewer dilemmas in my life, because there is a book in which, in general, it is more or less clearly written what action to take in every situation. It’s not always easy to follow this book, of course, but I am actually trying. And so, as I said, it’s easier for me, probably, than for many others, to engage in politics…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” I’ve always thought that this particular commandment is more or less an instruction to activity. And so, while certainly not really enjoying the place where I am, I have no regrets about coming back, or about what I’m doing. It’s fine, because I did the right thing. On the contrary, I feel a real kind of satisfaction. Because at some difficult moment I did as required by the instructions, and did not betray the commandment.
Alexei Navalny, 2021
As Christians, we should be people who hunger and thirst for righteousness. I pray that each one of us will have the courage to stand up and be counted when the time comes.
The readings this week will be Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, and Mark 8:31-38, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; Men of Faith (Shout to the North); Be Still for the Presence of the Lord; and Onward, Christian People!
Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Last Week’s Sermon
Video of last week’s sermon, “God’s Fasting”, is now available here!
Recording of Services
Each week we record the service so that we can make a video of the sermon available. On special services we produce a video of the whole service.
It is quite understandable that, for various reasons, some people do not wish to be recorded or have their image shared on the church website, Facebook page, or weekly church email.
If you are one of those people who prefer not to be recorded, please sit on the back row of the church or down the side behind the organ. This will ensure you remain out of shot. People sitting in these seats will also not be shown when they come up to the altar to receive communion.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Annah & Annesh’s Last Sunday
This will be Annah and Annesh’s last Sunday at All Saints before they move to Mongolia. We will have an opportunity to say goodbye after church this Sunday! Please come!
Chili Night continues next week!
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the 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 