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From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This week’s Old Testament story is that of Isaac and Rebekah.  This is perhaps one of the few “good marriages” in the Bible, although next week we will see how each parent favoured a different one of their twin sons.

What is love really all about?  What does God really demand of us?  How does God want us to respond to him?

These are some of the questions we will be looking at in this week’s sermon at All Saints.

Our service this week will be led by the Rev. Mark Crawford, as I am in the UK.  Please attend if you can, to give Mark your support during this season when many people are travelling!

Our bible readings for this Sunday are Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, and we will be singing the hymns Immortal Invisible God only Wise, Be Thou My Vision, and Open My Eyes That I May See!

The readings can be found via this link!

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.

All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Abraham and Isaac

Dear Friends,

I had trouble finding a picture for this week’s email, not because there is a lack of images of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son, but because of the shocking reality of even the most simple depictions.  Human sacrifice is simply wrong, and the barbarity of somebody believing that killing a child would please God is hopefully beyond our comprehension.

Happily, the bible as a whole condemns human sacrifice, and we see Abraham constrained from actually killing Isaac, yet the text has God telling Abraham to prepare to do it.  This is why we have to be very careful in how we understand and interpret scripture.  Although Jesus is often also pictured as a sacrifice, this is self-sacrifice, which is an altogether different thing.

However, although it is good that we understand that God will never tell us to slaughter our first born, we still need to ask ourselves what we would be prepared to give up for God or for a better world for all.

Our service this week will be led by Ann-Christin Salomonsson and our preacher will be Jacob Hale, as I am in the UK.  Please attend if you can, to give them your support during this season when many people are travelling!

Our bible readings for this Sunday are Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, and Matthew 10:40-42, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, Let us Break Bread Together, and Love Divine all Loves Excelling!  The readings can be found via this link!

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We worship a triune God – three-in-one – one-in-three. We cannot really explain it, why would we expect to? But we know the God revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer!  God is revealed not as an alone or lonely God, but as a being in constant fellowship who reaches out to us in love.  This is at the centre of our faith and is why we remember this unity in diversity on Trinity Sunday!

Our bible readings for Trinity Sunday are Genesis 1:1-5, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, and Matthew 28:16-20, and we will be singing the hymns Holy Holy Holy, We All Believe in One True God, For the Bread Which You Have Broken, and Christ is made the Sure Foundation!

The readings can be found via this link!

Connie’s Ordination

A few of us gathered at All Saints on Monday night to take part in Connie’s ordination service by live-link to London.  It was a great service and wonderful to see Connie, Nat, and also Pat, present in the UK.  Chiang Mai people were also able to see Bishop Jonathan for the first time.  Please continue to hold Connie in your prayers!

Bishops Jonathan and Sheila laying hands on Connie

Inter-Continental Eucharist!

Greetings from newly-ordained Connie

And from Pat!

Potluck

Our next potluck will be on Sunday 25th June. This will be at the home of Anders and Ann-Christin who will shortly be leaving us to return to Sweden.  Their house is a five minute drive from church and we will travel there together after the morning service.

All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This Thursday is Ascension Day, and we will be marking Jesus ascent into heaven this Sunday.  What does it mean to us?  Why did Jesus need to ascend?  And how does it affect our understanding of the world today?

Theology on Tap

Our next Theology on Tap meeting will be this Friday, 26th May.  We will again gather at 7 p.m. at the UN Irish Pub. This month’s topic is the meaning of liturgy and the sacraments!

Our bible readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter are Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, and John 17:1-11, and we will be singing the hymns Awake My Soul and with the Sun, Christ is Alive, Christ Whose Glory Fills The Skies, and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

The readings can be found via this link!

Connie’s Ordination

Connie Mudore will be ordained as a priest of the Open Episcopal Church on Monday 5th June.  The ordination will be in London, but we will be gathering here at All Saints to take part by live video link.  The service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thailand time.  Please come!

Church Governance

After much discussion, we have decided to appoint five trustees to oversee the life and work of All Saints.  I will be accountable to the trustees and they will be making the major decisions in the church’s future.  The treasurer and I will attend the Trustees Meeting, but will not have vote.

There will also be a larger Advisory Group which will be consulted by email before major decisions are made, or whenever I or the trustees would like wider input.

This structure will be reviewed in the future, but we are not implementing an elected council at this time, due to the relatively small congregation whose composition varies widely throughout the year.

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.

All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Gene and other new deacons last Saturday

Dear Friends,

In our first Bible reading this week we read of Paul speaking about the “unknown God” in Athens.  Is God still unknown, or at least unrecognised amongst us, and how can we share that God with the world?  This is our calling for a world that needs love!

Gene’s Ordination

Last Saturday evening Gene Bourquin was ordained as deacon at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York.  More pictures can be seen on the All Saints Facebook page.  The video of the ordination is now available on the Audio-Visual page of AllSaintsChiangMai.com.

Pool Party Potluck

Thanks to David and Shem for a great pool party potluck!  We all enjoyed it!

Our bible readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter are Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-21, and John 14:15-21, and we will be singing the hymns Holy Holy Holy, Spirit of God Unseen as The Wind, Spirit of the Living God, and All My Hope on God Is Founded!  The readings can be found via this link!

Theology on Tap

Our next Theology on Tap meeting will be on Friday 26th May.  We will again gather at 7 p.m. at the UN Irish Pub. This month’s topic is the meaning of liturgy and the sacraments!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Natural and Healthy!

Dear Friends,

God created us to be whole people, to be fully integrated, properly functioning, human beings.  That is what salvation is about!  In our reading from 2 Peter we are exhorted to “long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it we may grow into wholeness.”  This is what God is offering to us in Jesus.  Want to be whole?  Join us this Sunday at All Saints, Chiang Mai!

Our bible readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter are Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, and John 14:1-14, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, O Christ the Healer, O Breath of Life, and Tell Out My Soul!  The readings can be found via this link!

Pool Party Potluck – This Sunday!

David and Shem’s Pool

This Sunday, 14th May, we are invited to a Pool Party Potluck at the home of David and Shem.  We will leave church following the morning service and drive in convoy to their home near Doi Saket.  David and Shem have a lovely home with a big pool, and it should be a great time of relaxation together.  Just bring food to share.  All are welcome!

Gene’s Ordination

This Saturday evening Gene Bourquin will be ordained as deacon at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York.  Please hold him in your prayers. He will join us here at All Saints in August.

Theology on Tap

Our next Theology on Tap meeting will be on Friday 26th May.  We will again gather at 7 p.m. at the UN Irish Pub. This month’s topic is yet to be decided – watch this space!

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.  Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Liturgical actions at All Saints, Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

Why is All Saints a liturgical church?  Why don’t we just choose hymns and songs to worship with, and listen to the sermon?  We are liturgical because liturgy aims to include everyone in worship.  At its best it helps to draw us into the presence of God.  Our hymns and songs may contain great teaching and inspirational lyrics, but the words of the weekly liturgy should always point us towards God and the centrality of God’s love shown in Jesus and focussed in the Eucharist.  As people share in readings and prayers, and in speaking together as one, we proclaim our unity and restate our faith.

Find out more this week at All Saints!

Our bible readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter are Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, and John 10:1-10, and we will be singing the hymns The Lord’s My Shepherd, When in our Music God is Glorified, One Bread One Body,and The King of Love my Shepherd is.  The readings can be found via this link!

Gene’s Ordination

Next Saturday evening Gene Bourquin will be ordained as deacon at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York.  Please hold him in your prayers.  He will join us here at All Saints in August.

Music in Worship

This week we will again be using a new version of the Gloria, Sanctus, and Kyrie – the parts of our worship beginning Glory to God, Holy, Holy, Holy, and Lamb of God…  You can listen to them by clicking on the name and you can view the music score here.

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.  Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

On the road to Emmaus

Dear Friends,

The Easter Season continues.  Although this week is the third Sunday of Easter, our Gospel reading still continues the story of that day!

This week we see two un-named disciples leaving Jerusalem on the evening of Easter Sunday.  I had to laugh at the picture above as the disciples fail to recognise Jesus!  (Clue: Jesus is the one in the middle dressed in the white!)   In the real biblical account things were not so obvious! Jesus walks with them, yet they fail to recognise him until he reveals himself to them at the breaking of bread.

Are we the same?  Do we often fail to recognise Jesus? He is often not so obvious as in the picture above!  Find out more this week.

Our bible readings for the Third Sunday of Easter are Acts 2:14a, 36-41,1 Peter 1:17-23, and Luke 24:13-35, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia Alleluia Give Thanks, Jesus Christ is Risen Today, One Bread One Body, and Christ is made the Sure Foundation.  The readings can be found via this link!

Tomorrow Night – Theology on Tap

Our next Theology on Tap group will be this Friday, 28th April, and will again be at the UN Irish Pub. We will begin at 7 p.m. and our topic will be The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: What does it mean and did Jesus have to die?  Everyone is welcome to join!

Music in Worship

This week we will be using a new version of the Gloria, Sanctus, and Kyrie – the parts of our worship beginning Glory to God, Holy, Holy, Holy, and Lamb of God…  You can listen to them by clicking on the name and you can view the music score here.

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.  Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Easter Sunday at All Saints

Dear Friends,

Last week we had two very moving services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Pictures can be seen on the All Saints Facebook page, and video of the Good Friday service is on the Audio-Visual page of our website.

Then on Easter Sunday we gathered together to celebrate the resurrection!  A joyous and uplifting sung Eucharist was followed by a warm and inviting potluck lunch and enthusiastic Easter Egg hunt!  You can again see pictures on the All Saints Facebook page, and video of the Easter Sunday service on the Audio-Visual page of our website.

Preparing for our Maundy Thursday Service

Our Good Friday Observance

For the next seven Sundays until Pentecost, we will celebrate the resurrection as we live the Easter Season of the Church.  For those who were travelling and missed our Easter Sunday service, this coming Sunday will give a second opportunity to celebrate Easter.  We will again sing many of the Easter hymns and we will be reminded of the risen Jesus as he appears to the disciples in the upper room.

Our bible readings for the Second Sunday of Easter are Acts 2:22–32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia Sing to Jesus, The Day of Resurrection, Christ is Alive, and Thine Be the Glory!  The readings can be found via this link!

Theology on Tap

Our next Theology on Tap group will be on Friday 28th April, and will again be at the UN Irish Pub.  We will begin at 7 p.m. and our topic will be The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: What does it mean and did Jesus have to die?  Everyone is welcome to join!

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

Please join us at All Saints as we observe Holy Week and Easter.

Maundy Thursday 

Our services begin tonight at 7 p.m. with our Maundy Thursday service.  This will be a quiet meditative service with Taizé music, washing of one another’s feet, an informal Eucharist, and anointing with water from the Holy Land.

Good Friday 
Our observances continue on Friday morning at 11 a.m.
This will be a solemn Tenebrae Service with traditional Good Friday hymns.

As we read the story of the Passion, candles will be extinguished, and we will leave the darkened church in silence, as we remember that Christ died for us.

Easter Sunday
Our celebratory Easter Eucharist will begin at 11 a.m.
We will give thanks together as we rejoice in the resurrection of the Lord!

Jesus Christ is risen!  Alleluia!
Our Easter Sunday service will be followed by an Easter egg hunt and potluck lunch

If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.

Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.  All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain