From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
John the Baptist baptises Jesus!
(My church email is not working! Please use iainbaxter.mail@gmail.com to contact me!)
Dear Friends,
The beheading of John the Baptist is a familiar story to those of us who have been Christians for a longtime, so much so that we perhaps forget it’s gruesome nature.
The story in brief is that King Herod is holding a party and his daughter pleased him with her dancing. Probably drunk, he makes one of those very unwise declarations “Ask whatever you wish and I will give it!” John the Baptist is languishing in Herod’s jail and, prompted by her mother, she asks for his head on a platter. Herod, forced to chose between killing the prophet or breaking his word in front of his guests, choses John’s death.
Beheading is still one of the most gruesome and barbaric forms of execution – just note the right condemnation of ISIS for their beheading of hostages, and the outcry following the false reports of the beheading of Jewish babies on 7th October. Now the beheading of a baby in Rafah in an Israeli airstrike has again sparked revulsion.
John the Baptist was a cousin and close friend of Jesus. His death must have been a terrible shock and illustrates the danger of untrammeled power! Sometimes the Christian faith is about life and death and we should be aware of the risks in standing up for the truth.
The readings for this Sunday will be from Amos 7:7-15, Ephesians 1:3-14, and Mark 6:14-29, and we will be singing the hymns A Mighty Fortress; Amazing Grace; And Can it Be?; and Born in song!
Use this link to join on Zoom on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Video of Last Sunday’s Service!
Video of last Sunday’s service is now available on the All Saints YouTube channel!
Chili Night – No Chili Night until 16th July
Chili Night next Tuesday
Chili Night returns next Tuesday, 16th July! 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 me 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 