From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Join us as we celebrate Advent Sunday!
CHRISTMAS SNACKS POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is Advent Sunday – the first day of the Church year! It is a day when we anticipate the coming of Jesus at Christmas and begin to prepare our hearts for the Christ-Child! Christmas is about then and it is about now: the coming of Christ in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and the coming of Christ into our hearts, and into our world, today.
The most famous Advent hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, it is a prayer for the coming of Jesus. The coming of Jesus is needed even more in this world of growing conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere!
Last year I added a verse to the Advent hymn which is a prayer for Palestine:
O come, O come, O Saviour of mine
And ransom captive Palestine
O bring thy peace, set all men free
Who dwell betwixt the River and the Sea.
This year I have adapted the first verse as a prayer for Israel:
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Bring peace to warring Israel
That fights in righteous anger and fear
Until the Son of God appear.
The chorus is a prayer also:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, And set all people free.
As we approach Christmas, we pray for peace and reconciliation between all people.
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36, and we will be singing the hymns O Come, O come Emmanuel; Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; and Joy to the World!
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 for the Transgender Day of Remembrance is available on the All Saints YouTube channel!
Events Coming Up
Saturday 30th November: Vicarage Christmas Tree Decorating
Sunday 1st December: Advent Sunday & Gingerbread Tea Party
Saturday 14th December: Festival of Christmas Carols
Tuesday 24th December: Midnight Mass
Wednesday 25th December: Christmas Morning Eucharist
Christmas Lunch at the Vicarage
Saturday 28th December: Christmas at the Youth Charity Foundation
Vicarage Decoration – This Saturday!
Eleven people joined the decorating party on Tuesday and we put up the five Christmas trees. Pizza was provided!
You are now invited this Saturday, 30th November, at 6 p.m. to join the Youth Charity Foundation children in decorating the vicarage Christmas trees.
This Sunday – Advent Sunday – Barbara’s Gingerbread Tea Party
Making gingerbreads at Barbara’s
This Sunday, 1st December, our service will be followed by decorating the church and then a Christmas snack potluck lunch and Gingerbread Tea Party at Barbara’s home. Bring savory snacks to share!
The Hangman
Barbara writes:
Father Iain I forgot to tell the church about the reprise of our Gate Theater thrilling courtroom drama where the audience decides the verdict. It’s this week weds to sat. Nov 27-30. Can you help me spread the word to the All Saints gang? Hope you can make it!
It’s a story of a woman who fought for her life and safety by breaking the law. Very relevant to today!
Please mention that Erin, a new All Saints friend who came to church Sunday and who read the US and Mexico transgender names, is also in the play. She and I are jury members!!! I hope church members can come to support her too!
The All Saints Festival of Christmas Carols
Saturday 14th December. 7:00 p.m.
Thammapratheep Church, Thanuspong Road (Next to Expat Auto)
Volunteers are needed for setting up, ushering, catering, etc.
Christmas Lunch – 25th December
Every year we share Christmas lunch together at the vicarage – nobody need be alone! Please sign up to indicate how many people are coming and also to say what you can bring.
All Saints Book Group
Book Group is back from hiatus! We meet on Tuesday afternoons. Time and location TBD. Contact Christa if you would like to join us as we continue our journey together through the book, Living Resistance.
Chili Night returns 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 me know in advance if you can!) All are welcome. Food is served at 6 p.m.
Please make a donation on THB 100 per person!
Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online – and now you can us our QR code!. 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 