From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

 

Dear Friends,

As the Chiang Mai heat wave continued, last week Mark asked us why we come to All Saints?  Probably it wasn’t just to get out of the heat, but we may have a number of reasons why we choose to be counted among the congregation of All Saints.

Over the next few weeks, I would like people to complete a survey so that we can find out what it is that people like about our church.  Do you come for the theology, the liturgy, the music, or the fellowship?  It may be that you like all of them, or maybe you love the theology but put up with the hymns, or don’t agree with the preaching but come for the liturgy and the chance to receive communion.

We are not about to change what we believe, but we can adapt our two services so that we better serve those who attend and those we would like to welcome.  Watch this space for a link to our online survey in the coming weeks!

This Sunday’s readings are Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, and John 13:31-35, and we will be singing the hymns Holy Holy Holy, Called as Partners in Christ’s Service, Let Us Build a House, and All My Hope on God Is Founded.  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,

All Are welcome at All Saints, Chiang Mai, but we are aware that we can be a bit difficult to find!  With this in mind, we have finally installed signs at either end of Kaeo Nawarat Soi 2, and in the middle of Soi 2 pointing down Soi 2/2.  Hopefully this will make it easier for people to find their way to our door!  If you have not been for a while, maybe this can encourage you to find your way back!

I am away for ten days, and Elena Kelly will be preaching and leading a combined service of worship at 11 a.m. this Sunday, April 10th.  I shall be back on Sunday April 17th to lead our worship, and Mark Crawford will then be preaching.  This week’s readings are Acts 9:1-20, Revelation 5:11-14, and John 21:1-19, and we will be singing the hymnsIn the Garden, Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on me, Open My Eyes That I May See, Be Still My Soul,and There is a Name I Love to Hear.  The readings can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Our Easter Celebration

Dear Friends,

We had a packed church for Easter Sunday at All Saints, Nathan and Natalie lit the Paschal Candle, and we worshipped and received the Eucharist together.  The service was followed by a great potluck, and we stayed cool indoors, despite the outside temperature reaching 40°C.  A video of the service can be seen via the Audio-Visual Page.

Lighting the Paschal Candle – it took two goes!

Sharing Holy Communion

Our Easter Potluck

Meanwhile, the missing sandals have been located and returned to their rightful owner!

This coming Sunday we will continue our Easter theme, and our readings are Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8, and John 20:19-31, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia Sing to Jesus, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Christ is Alive, and Thine Be the Glory.  The readings can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain

Dear Friends,

Our Easter celebrations conclude tomorrow with our Easter Sunday Eucharist!  Come and join us as we worship our Risen Lord!

This will be a joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection and will be followed by an Easter Potluck Lunch and Easter Egg hunt!  The Easter readings are Isaiah 65:17-25, Acts 10:34-43, and Luke 24:1-12, and we will be singing the hymns Jesus Christ is Risen Today, The Day of Resurrection, Christ is Alive, and Thine Be the Glory!  The readings can be found via this link!

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

Our Maundy Thursday Service will be a time for quiet, candle-lit, contemplation including Taizé chants and the washing of one another’s feet.  The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and is a very peaceful preparation for Easter,  We will end the evening by sharing bread and wine with one another.

Our Easter services continue on Good Friday!

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  We will begin our worship with the parading of the palms, as we enter the church singing Hosanna and waving palm branches.   It is good for us to remember that although Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowds, that popularity did not last.  We all like to be liked, but sometimes we have to do what is right, especially in support of those who cannot protect themselves.  I hope we can all remember this as we seek to live godly and useful lives of service to all!

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and we will have the following special services:

Maundy Thursday Service. 
7:30 pm Thursday 24th March.   This will be a time for quiet, candle-lit, contemplation

including Taizé chants and the washing of one another’s feet.

Good Friday Service
11 a.m.  Friday 25th March.  Marking the crucifixion of our Lord.

Easter Sunday Eucharist 
11 a.m. Sunday 27th March.  A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.

This will be followed by an Easter Potluck Lunch and Easter Egg hunt!

Harvey has also asked me to announce a concert which will take place next Wednesday, 23rd March.  It is by the Whitworth Wind Symphony and will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Chiang Mai International School.  It should be a good evening!  The poster is attached below.

The Palm Sunday readings will be Matthew 21:1-11 and Philippians 2:5-11, and we will be singing the hymns Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna in the Highest, All Glory Laud and Honour, Hosanna Loud Hosanna, You are the King of Glory, and Ride on Ride on in Majesty.  The reading can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This week our Gospel reading is Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, and this will be the focus of our sermon and worship.  The parable is a beautiful illustration of God’s love and forgiveness – we all have much to be thankful for!

This Saturday, 5th May, Lillian Wong, who attends All Saints with her husband Cary, will be performing in a special dance performance called Deliverance.  The two shows will be at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Chiang Mai University Arts Theater and are in aid of the School of Promise in Hang Dong.

Then next Wednesday at 3 p.m., a Great Decisionsmeeting at All Saints will discuss the subject of migration.  This is lead by All Saints regular, Gayle Avant.

Finally, here again is advanced notice of our Easter Services for your diary:

Sunday 20th March.
11 a.m. Palm Sunday.

Thursday 24th March.
7:30 pm  Maundy Thursday Service.  This will be a time for quiet, candle-lit,

contemplation including Taizé chants and the washing of one another’s feet.

Friday 25th March.
11 a.m. Good Friday Service marking the crucifixion of our Lord.

Sunday 27th March.
11 a.m. Easter Sunday – A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.

This will be followed by an Easter Potluck Lunch and Easter Egg hunt!

This Sunday’s readings are Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, and Luke 15:1-32, and we will be singing the hymns The King of Love My Shepherd Is, What shall I do my God to love, For the Bread Which You Have Broken, and Go forth and tell!  The readings can be found via this link!  Nancy will be playing the organ at our 9:15 service, and Anders at our 11 a.m. service.  Thanks to them both!

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

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God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

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Dear Friends,

On Monday we took delivery of our newly assembled organ keyboards – they won’t make the organ sound any different, but they will help our organists to play – especially making it easier to hold the music in place. Nancy will be playing at the 9:15 a.m. service this week, and Anders will be playing at the 11 a.m. services in future weeks. Let us make a joyful sound to the Lord!

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We also had our first virtual prayer meeting yesterday.  This was a very moving time of prayer for those involved.  If you’d like to join us at 6 a.m. next Wednesday for half an hour, please let me know!

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Finally, here is advanced notice of our Easter Services for your diary:

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Sunday 20th March.
11 a.m. Palm Sunday.

Thursday 24th March.
7:30 pm  Maundy Thursday Service.  This will be a time for quiet, candle-lit, contemplation including Taizé chants and the washing of one another’s feet.

Friday 25th March.
11 a.m. Good Friday Service marking the crucifixion of our Lord.

Sunday 27th March.
11 a.m. Easter Sunday – A joyous Eucharist to proclaim Christ’s resurrection.   This will be followed by an Easter Potluck Lunch and Easter Egg hunt!

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This Sunday’s readings are Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and Luke 13:1-9, and we will be singing the hymns The Lord’s My Shepherd, I heard the Voice of Jesus say, My Song is Love Unknown, and Tell Out My Soul!  The readings can be found via this link!

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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

(No 9:15 a.m. service this week)

Dear Friends,

Some descriptions of God stick in the mind and enter into the popular imagination.  The Lord’s my shepherd is one such name.  But in Luke 13:34, Jesus laments over Jerusalem and says “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

This is part of our Gospel reading this week and, as well as being one of the instances where Jesus uses female imagery, it emphasises how much God cares for us!  So the LORD is our chicken and we are God’s chicks, his children!  Perhaps it reminds us too of the eggs of approaching Easter – that symbol of new life!  It is God’s warmth that enables us to hatch spiritually!

Meanwhile, we are thinking of starting a Wednesday Night virtual discussion group or prayer meeting. This will be an online video meeting via Skype beginning at 7pm and lasting maybe half an hour.  It means people with young children, or those who live out at Doi Saket or Hang Dong can also be involved.  If you are interested, send me an email.

There will be no 9:15 a.m. service this week, but at our 11 a.m. service, the readings will be Genesis 15:1-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1, and Luke 13:31-55, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise, Be Still My Soul, I will offer up my life, and In Christ alone my hope is Found!  The readings can be found via this link!

God bless,

Iain