Category Archives: Uncategorized

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

Prayer is a mystical thing.  Sometimes our prayers are answered, sometimes they seem to go unanswered despite our deepest crying out to God.  But whatever we feel about prayer, it is how we reach out, how we connect with God, the infinite who is beyond all we can understand or comprehend.   We are commanded to pray by Jesus himself, and we are commanded to pray with persistence.  This week our Gospel reading tells the parable of the persistent widow who finally gets the justice she deserves from a reluctant judge, because she just won’t go away and won’t remain silent.

In our work to change the world we must never give up, and never remain silent.  So also in our dialogue with God who is our Father and our Mother, we need to pray with perseverance and dedication, knowing that our prayers are heard by the God of love!

This Sunday’s readings are Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, and Luke 18:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun, Father Hear the Prayer we Offer, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, and Tell Out My Soul!  The readings can be found via this link!

Meanwhile, you have another chance to join in Zumba!!! All are welcome to join us in Zumba on Wednesday at 5 p.m. here in the church! It will last about an hour. No previous experience is needed and Andy Ong will be leading the class.  All ages and fitnesses welcome! Come and join the fun!

And slightly further ahead, “Theology on Tap” will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday 21st October.  Nate Tipton will be leading this event where a group of people, from All Saints and elsewhere, can discuss a theological issue over a pint of beer, or other beverage, in a relaxed setting. Initially it will meet once a month on a Friday night. If you might be interested, speak to Nate or me. Venue to be confirmed on Sunday!

Finally, All Saints Day is fast approaching.  This is the patronal festival of our church.  To celebrate, we will have a potluck lunch following our All Saints Day service on Sunday 30th October.  Get planning what you will bring!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

Wholeness, healing, and salvation, are all intimately linked in scripture.  Salvation is more than a mere “going to heaven”, and healing is more than a mere removal of physical symptoms.  God wants us to be whole, restored, people.  We are all in need of healing, but as we come into the presence of the living God, we can begin to receive that restoration we need.

This week’s Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus healing ten lepers.  There are still people suffering from the effects of leprosy in Thailand, and in 2012 I visited those living at McKean Rehabilitation Center.  Modern science has arrested the effects and spread of leprosy, but Jesus is offering us all healing in the many different ways we need it.

Visiting McKean in December 2012.

Come to All Saints this Sunday to hear how Jesus can begin healing you!  We will also pray for your healing as we receive communion together if you wish.  This Sunday’s readings are Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, and Luke 17:11-19, and we will be singing the hymns Now Thank We All Our God, O Christ the Healer, Give me Jesus, and How Great Thou Art!  The readings can be found via this link!

Meanwhile, you have another chance to join in Zumba!!! All are welcome to join us in Zumba on Wednesday at 5 p.m. here in the church! It will last about an hour. No previous experience is needed and Andy Ong will be leading the class.  All ages and fitnesses welcome! Come and join the fun!

And slightly further ahead, “Theology on Tap” will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday 21st October. Nate Tipton will be leading this event where a group of people, from All Saints and elsewhere, can discuss a theological issue over a pint of beer, or other beverage, in a relaxed setting. Initially it will meet once a month on a Friday night. If you might be interested, speak to Nate or me.  Venue to be confirmed next week!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

The Syrian city of Aleppo

Dear Friends,

This week’s email is headed with a picture of the war-torn city of Aleppo.  Once a world heritage site, this ancient town is all but destroyed.  Our title is taken from our Old Testament reading where the author laments the destruction of Jerusalem:  “How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! … She weeps bitterly in the night…”  In our service this week, we will remember those who are refugees, through war, famine, and disease.  We will pray for them, and look to God for answers!

This Sunday’s readings are Lamentations 1:1-4, 3:19-26, 2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-14, and Luke 17:5-10, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do Dwell, Beauty for Brokenness, For the Bread Which You Have Broken, and I the Lord of Sea and Sky!  The readings can be found via this link!

Meanwhile, you have a chance to join in Zumba!!! All are welcome to join us in Zumba on Wednesday at 5 p.m. here in the church! It will last about an hour. No previous experience is needed and Andy Ong will be leading the class.  All ages and fitnesses welcome! Come and join the fun!

And slightly further ahead, Nate Tipton is exploring the start of a discussion group “Theology on Tap.” This is a forum where a group of people, from All Saints and elsewhere, can discuss a theological issue over a pint of beer, or other beverage, in a relaxed setting. Initially it may meet once a month on a Friday night. If you might be interested, speak to Nate or me.

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

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil

Dear Friends,

More money talk at All Saints, Chiang Mai!  In this week’s New Testament reading Paul writes that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  What does this mean to us? Nate Tipton will be preaching this Sunday – come and find out what he has to say!

This Sunday’s readings are Amos 6:1a, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-12, and Luke 16:19-31, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, Be Thou My Vision, and What a Friend We Have in Jesus!  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

Thanks to David and Shem for my new chasuble!

POTLUCK LUNCH THIS SUNDAY!!!

Dear Friends,

This week’s Old Testament reading is from the Book of Exodus, and is a very troubling passage where God is shown threatening to destroy his people with fire for their worshipping of the Golden Calf.  He only “changes his mind” when Moses pleads that this will look very bad to the Egyptians.  How do we handle such passages in their contrast with our Gospel reading where Jesus talks of God searching for the lost sheep?  This week my sermon will attempt to answer this question.

Meanwhile, this Sunday we will all share a potluck lunch.  We haven’t had one for a while, and it will give everyone a chance to get reacquainted following the summer when so many people were travelling.  Just bring a dish to share, and feel free to invite your friends or anyone who hasn’t been for a while!

There is a great new opportunity coming up for those who are interested in some quiet time away in God’s presence.  The following retreats will be facilitated by our church member Ann-Christin Salomonsson.  They all have a contemplative style.

The Meditative Art Retreat is next Thursday, 15th September, from  9.30 to 12, and the Returning & Resting Retreat is on the following Saturday, 17th September, and will last fours hour and includes lunch.  Both are held at The Well.  Then @The Crossroads is a five days retreat held at Horizon Village in November.  Many people have signed up but there may still be slots available! You register on The Well website http://www.thewellintl.org/ 

This Sunday’s readings are Exodus 32:7-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, and Luke 15:1-10, and we will be singing the hymns All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Come Down, O Love Divine, I will offer up my life, and Christ is made the Sure Foundation!  The readings can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We don’t have a Thurifer at All Saints, Chiang Mai – he or she is the one who swings the burning incense – but we have been raising money for smoke detectors so the cartoon seemed appropriate.

However, following Jesus is not about processing in church, it is about how we live our lives, how we follow him in everything we do, how we let our lives be transformed by our encounter with Christ!

This week’s sermon will look at how we follow Jesus and his call on our lives.

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Our Online Survey Results

All Saints is not a perfect church, by any means, but we seek to follow Jesus and serve those around us.  In order to do this we have recently had our online survey.  We had twenty-five responses in total and here are some of the most significant findings:

When asked to specify the primary thing which attracted them to All Saints, two-thirds of those who responded said “I feel I am welcome”, and just over half said “I find the liturgy meaningful”, while just under half said “I love the friendliness”.

Unsurprisingly, nobody chose “I love the worshipfulness of our building” nor “I like the provision for children” – though the latter is something we are working on!

 “I love the worshipfulness of our building”

Only two people said “I like the option of 9:15 or 11 am services”, while five people said “I do not like the split into 9:15 or 11 am services”.

Regarding new activities, about a third of respondents said they would like more outreach opportunities, and 25% would like a weekly discussion group.  Perhaps someone would like to volunteer to organise one of these?

People were asked “How would you like our worship to change?”  Three-quarters said “I am generally happy with our worship as it is”, while five people said they would like more contemporary music, and four people said they would like more varied music, while one person said they would like less contemporary music.

Again, if you were one of those people, talk to me. Maybe you could help us develop our music at All Saints!

75% are generally happy with our worship

Anyway, that’s enough survey news for now – more next week!

Meanwhile, there is a great new opportunity coming up.  The following retreats will be facilitated by our church member Ann-Christin Salomonsson.  They all have a contemplative style.

The Meditative Art Retreat is on Thursday 15th September from  9.30 to 12, and the Returning & Resting Retreat is on Saturday 17th September and will last fours hour and includes lunch.  Both are held at The Well.  Then @The Crossroads is a five days retreat held at Horizon Village in November.

People are starting to sign up but there are slots available! You register on The Well website http://www.thewellintl.org/ 

This Sunday’s readings are Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1-21, and Luke 14:25-33, and we will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, O Jesus, I have Promised, Spirit of the Living God, and I have decided to follow Jesus.

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

A proud man?

Dear Friends,

There are all sorts of pride: civic pride, national pride, gay pride, racial pride, black pride, pride in our own achievements.  Is pride always a good thing, or never a good thing?  It is listed as one of the seven deadly sins!  This week at All Saints, we will look at what Jesus has to say about pride!

Meanwhile, the All Saints on-line survey is now completed – some results will be shared next week!  (If you are quick you may still be able to do it if you find last week’s email.)

Last Sunday afternoon, Bill Moeller, Andy Ong, and I, went to the Youth Charity Foundation orphanage in Doi Saket, and delivered smoke alarms for their dorm. They were very happy to receive them and you can read more about the foundation on their website, http://www.ycfthailand.com/    The next batch will go to the Karen Leadership Development Program dormitory.  It houses poor Karen students from remote villages who are studying at college in Chiang Mai.

The Youth Charity Foundation Children

Further ahead, there is a great new opportunity coming up.  The following retreats will be facilitated by our church member Ann-Christin Salomonsson.  They all have a contemplative style.  The Meditative Art Retreat is on Thursday 15th September from  9.30 to 12, and the Returning & Resting Retreat is on Saturday 17th September and will last fours hour and includes lunch.  Both are held at The Well.  Then @The Crossroads is a five days retreat held at Horizon Village in November.  People are starting to sign up but there are slots available! You register on The Well website http://www.thewellintl.org/ 

This Sunday’s readings are Sirach 10:12-18, Proverbs 25:6-7, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, and Luke 14:1, 7-14, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, Be Thou My Vision, and Oh for a thousand Tongues to Sing!  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

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

Complete the All Saints on-line survey

Dear Friends,

This week’s Old Testament reading is from Jeremiah 1:4-10.  It includes the line “”Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.”  Each one of us is intimately known to God – God knows us better than we know ourselves – yet God still loves us!  Join us at All Saints, Chiang Mai, this week, as we rejoice in the God of our creation and our salvation.

If you read the last two weeks’ emails, you will know that our All Saints on-line survey is now on-line. Nineteen people have now completed the survey, but over 40 read this email last week!  Please fill it in if you have not already done so. This should help us to not only serve one another better, but to reach out to the wider world.

Please take time to complete it, and think carefully about your answers.  We really want to know how we can improve what we offer at All Saints, as we seek to honour God and serve the needs of our community.  The survey is anonymous, unless you want personal feedback, in which case you should fill in your name and email address at the end.

If you are a couple or family, then each person can complete the survey – just click on “submit” when you have completed the survey and the option “submit another response” will appear.  Another response can then be made – but only submit one per person!

Click on this link to start the survey!

We are hoping to begin distributing our smoke alarms this week!

As we have been given THB10,200 by the Chiang Mai Expats Club in order to purchase more smoke alarms for Thai dormitories, if you know of a dormitory which might need them, then let me know!  All Saints has already purchased 20 smoke alarms, at a total cost of THB7,300, which we will be donating to dormitories in Thailand.  They each contain a battery with a guaranteed ten year lifespan.

This an on-going project.  We will buy and install more smoke detectors as funds allow and requests are made.  Lets hope that this small project helps to save many lives.

This Sunday’s readings are Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, and Luke 13:10-17, and we will be singing the hymns Praise with joy the world’s Creator, I will offer up my life, Take My Life and Let it Be, and How Great Thou Art!  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

Life isn’t always a bed of roses!
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Complete the All Saints on-line survey
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Dear Friends,

As this week’s readings will show us, life isn’t always a bed of roses!  Sometimes life can be a bit of a struggle, for most people throughout history this has been the case, and many among us still struggle whether with poverty or persecution.  But God is our strength, and as we put our trust in God we must reach out to others to share that love and lend a helping hand!

If you read last week’s email, you will know that our All Saints on-line survey is now on-line. So far only 12 people have completed the survey, and over 40 read this email last week!  Please fill it in if you have not already done so. This should help us to not only serve one another better, but to reach out to the wider world.

Please take time to complete it, and think carefully about your answers.  We really want to know how we can improve what we offer at All Saints, as we seek to honour God and serve the needs of our community. The survey is anonymous, unless you want personal feedback, in which case you should fill in your name and email address at the end.

If you are a couple or family, then each person can complete the survey – just click on “submit” when you have completed the survey and the option “submit another response” will appear.  Another response can then be made – but only submit one per person!

Click on this link to start the survey!

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Great news!!!

We have been given THB10,200 by the Chiang Mai Expats Club in order to purchase more smoke alarms for Thai dormitories!  If you know of a dormitory which might need them, then let me know!

All Saints has already purchased 20 smoke alarms, at a total cost of THB7,300, which we will be donating to dormitories in Thailand.  They each contain a battery with a guaranteed ten year lifespan.  This an on-going project.  We will buy and install more smoke detectors as funds allow and requests are made.  Lets hope that this small project helps to save many lives.

This Sunday’s readings are Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, and Luke 12:49-56, and we will be singing the hymns Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise, O Lord, the Clouds are Gathering, Beauty for Brokenness, and Now Thank We All Our God!

The readings can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Complete the All Saints on-line survey

Dear Friends,

Our long awaited, and much anticipated, church survey is now here!  Thanks to all the people who have suggested questions and helped with their formatting.

Please take time to complete it, and think carefully about your answers.  We really want to know how we can improve what we offer at All Saints, as we seek to honour God and serve the needs of our community.  The survey is anonymous, unless you want personal feedback, in which case you should fill in your name and email address at the end.

If you are a couple or family, then each person can complete the survey – just click on “submit” when you have completed the survey and the option “submit another response” will appear.  Another response can then be made – but only submit one per person!

Click on this link to start the survey!

 .

All Saints has now purchased 20 smoke alarms, at a total cost of THB7,300, which we will be donating to dormitories in Thailand.  They each contain a battery with a guaranteed ten year lifespan.

The first batch will go to the Karen Leadership Development Program dormitory.  It houses poor Karen students from remote villages who are studying at college in Chiang Mai.  Bill Moeller has also spoken to an orphanage in Doi Saket, and they would like smoke alarms and also fire extinguishers for their dorm, so the next batch will go to them.

The offering from Sunday June 5th, plus additional donations, will be supplemented from general church funds to pay for these valuable life-savers!  If you would like to make a specific donation towards them then please see Caitlin, our treasurer.  This an on-going project.  We will buy and install more smoke detectors as funds allow and requests are made.

Lets hope that this small project helps to save many lives.

Meanwhile, Chris continues the job of compiling the church directory.  This will give names, addresses, and phone numbers of people in the church.  (we will not publish emails because of the danger of general spamming!)  If you arrived in the last year, or your details have changed, please fill in a form at the back of the church on Sunday.

This Sunday’s readings are Isaiah 1:10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, and Luke 12:32-40, and we will be singing the hymns All My Hope on God Is Founded, Let Us Build a House, Jesu Jesu Fill us with Your Love, and Now Thank We All Our God!

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