Category Archives: Uncategorized

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Preparing for Christmas!

Special Services for Christmas at All Saints

Saturday 12th December
7 pm  A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
at The Prince Royal’s College Chapel

Thursday 24th December – Christmas Eve
11:30 pm Midnight Mass

Friday 25th December – Christmas Day
11 am Christmas Family Eucharist

Dear Friends,

Only just over a week to our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and last Sunday we had great fun as we shared lunch together and decorated the church for Advent and Christmas. Advent is indeed a time of preparation, both practically and spiritually, as we shall see in this week’s sermon.

Our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is now just over a week away.  As you know, the service will begin at 7pm and is being held in The Prince Royal’s College Chapel.

Tickets are being sold for THB100 in aid of the McKean Rehabilitation Center and are now available for sale at the church, from Bake and Bite, and from the Front Office atChiang Mai International School.  Please take some to sell to your friends.

The service will be followed by refreshments at the Chapel.  Caitlin, who is coordinating this, requests that everyone bring cookies, desserts, etc, to share afterwards.

Choir Schedule: Dress rehearsal and Performance
2:30-4:00                The Prince Royal’s College Chapel
6:00 Warm up         The Prince Royal’s College Chapel
7:00 -8:00 Service  The Prince Royal’s College Chapel

Those who can help with setting up the tree, tables, organ, etc, should also come at 2:30.

Posters advertising both the Nine Lessons and Carols, and our other Christmas events are also still available for distribution.

Christmas Lunch in 2014

We again plan to share a Christmas lunch together on Christmas Day.  Please sign up this week if you would like to come!

Also, coming up this Wednesday, 9th December, at 7:30pm there will be a performance of Handel’s Messiah at Payap University.  It will be in the Leviticus Auditorium (on the MaeKhao Campus – in the Law Building east of the Ring Road 1) Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Let me know if you would like to go.

For this Second Sunday in Advent, our readings are Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:3-11, and Luke 3:1-6, and we will be singing the hymns O Come O Come Emmanuel, Christ whose glory fills the skies, Lo He comes with clouds descending, and Come Thou long-expected Jesus!  You can find the readings via this link.
Our sermon will be entitled Are you ready?

Video and audio of our major services can be found on the Audio-Visual page of the All Saints website and as always, 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 celebrate the Christ of Christmas!  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

Decorating the Church on Advent Sunday!

POTLUCK THIS WEEK!

Dear Friends,

The Christmas season is nearly upon us.  This Sunday we will celebrate Advent Sunday!  The 11 a.m. service will be followed by a potluck as we all join together to decorate the church for Christmas.  This was a wonderful introduction to the Christmas season last year, as you can see in the picture above, so please bring food to share and enjoy this beginning of our festivities!

This week the liturgy will include the lighting of the first candle on our Advent Wreath, and we will also sing a new setting of the Gloria.  This version was written by Healey Willan in 1928 and should be familiar to some of the American Episcopalians among us.  Members of our choir for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, have also been practicing!

All Saint‘s Advent Crown!

Meanwhile, our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Saturday 12th December is now just over two weeks away!    The service will begin at 7pm and is being held in The Prince Royal’s College Chapel.  Representatives of foreign consulates and other organisations have already agreed to take part and it should be a wonderful community event.

Tickets are being sold for THB100 in aid of the McKean Rehabilitation Center and are now available for sale at the church, in Bake and Bite, and at the Chiang Mai International School front office.  The service will be followed by coffee and cake, and maybe mulled wine, back at All Saints.  Volunteers are still needed to take charge of this.

Tickets, and posters advertising both the Nine Lessons and Carols, and our other Christmas events will again be available for distribution this Sunday and can be seen below.

Also, coming up on Wednesday 9th December at 7:30pm there will be a performance of Handel’s Messiah at Payap University.  It will be in the Leviticus Auditorium (on the MaeKhao Campus – in the Law Building east of the Ring Road 1) Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Let me know if you would like to go.

This week our readings are Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, and Mark 13:24-37, and we will be singing the hymns O Come O Come Emmanuel, God you alone know what you’ve planned, Sing we the King who is coming to reign, and Come thou long expected Jesus!   The readings can be found via this link!

Our sermon is entitled Come, Lord Jesus!

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,

Last Sunday we had a wonderful service to mark Remembrance Sunday.  Harvey played the Last Post, and we observed the two minutes silence to remember the victims of wars.  It was truely an uplifting service, despite its somber theme, and I came away greatly encouraged!  God is with us – even in this world of tears!

Soon we will move from the season of remembrance to the season of anticipation, Advent, when we look forward to the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Firstly, November 29th, in two weeks’ time, is Advent Sunday.  The 11 a.m. service will be followed by a potluck as we all join together to decorate the church for Christmas.  This was a wonderful introduction to the Christmas season last year, so please mark it in your diaries.

Meanwhile, Choir rehearsals are now in full swing for our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Saturday 12th December, which is now just over four weeks away!    The service will begin at 7pm and is being held in The Prince Royal’s College Chapel.  Representatives of foreign consulates and other organisations have already agreed to take part and it should be a wonderful community event.

Tickets are being sold for THB100 in aid of the McKean Rehabilitation Center and are now available for sale.  The service will be followed by coffee and cake, and maybe mulled wine, back at All Saints.  Volunteers are needed to take charge of this.

Tickets, and posters advertising both the Nine Lessons and Carols, and our other Christmas events will be available for distribution this Sunday.

Finally, Harvey would like to invite everyone to Latin Night on 17th November at Chiang Mai International School.

The evening will focus on music of Spain and Latin America.  You will hear the bands of CMIS while gorging on an all you can eat Mexican buffet, included in the price of the ticket.  Tickets are THB600 in advance or THB700 on the night.   The buffet will open at 5:30 p.m.

This week our readings are 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hebrews 10:11-25 and Mark 13:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, holy, holy, Be thou my vision, Come down O love divine, and In Christ alone my hope is found.  The readings can be found via this link!

Our sermon is entitled Do not be afraid!

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,
This week we will mark Remembrance Sunday with a special combined service at 10:30 a.m.  This year’s commemoration occurs as wars continue to rage in Syria, Iraq, and many other parts of the world.  It appears that very often today wars are within countries rather than between countries and the rules of the Geneva Conventions are more often ignored than complied with.  In our suffering world we need now, more than ever, to pray for peace and justice, and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, whether for their country or for standing up for what is right in their own lands.

Our service will include the playing of the Last Post followed by two minutes silence at 11:00 a.m.   Our readings are Isaiah 2:3-4, Revelation 21:1-6, and Mark 13:5-13, and we will be singing the hymns O God our help in ages past, Abide with me, All my hope on God is founded, and The day thou gavest Lord is ended.  Our sermon is entitled We must remember!

November 11th is Remembrance Day itself.  There will be a short ceremony at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery beginning at 10:30 a.m. organised by the Royal British Legion. This will be followed by lunch at the Gymkhana Club. Everyone from All Saints is welcome to join.

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We are entering the season of remembrance.  Of course,all the world know that 31st October is Halloween when ghosts are said to walk the earth, but Halloween is short for All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Hallows’ Day, more usually called All Saints‘ Day.  That is what we will be celebrating at All Saints this Sunday, November 1st!

The picture above shows some of my family in 1965 – the year before I was born.  From the left are my Grandma, Auntie Eva, my Grandad Baxter, my Grandad Kelso, my Mum, my Grannie, and my Auntie Ju.  Only my Mum and my Auntie Ju are still alive.  On All Saints‘ Day we remember that we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before.  In many European countries it is the tradition to visit the graves of loved ones on All Saints‘ Day, but our forebears are scattered over the four corners of the earth.  However, if you would like to bring photos of loved ones to place upon the altar this Sunday, please do so.

Our services will be ones of joy as we remember and give thanks, and we will have live music at both services with Nancy playing at 9:15 a.m. and Anders at 11 a.m.  Much thanks to them both.

Our theme of remembrance continues the following week on Sunday 8th November when we mark Remembrance Sunday and remember those who have been victims of war.  This combined service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and include two minutes silence at 11:00 a.m.  On Wednesday 11th November, you are also invited to attend a short ceremony at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery beginning at 10:30 a.m. organised by the Royal British Legion. This will be followed by lunch at the Gymkhana Club.

Finally, a reminder that the first choir rehearsal for our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be at 7:00 p.m. tonight, in the new band room of CMIS.  Please be sure that Harvey has your name so that you can get into the school.

Our readings for All Saints‘ Day are Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6, and John 11:32-44, and we will be singing the hymns For all the Saints, Sing with all theSaints in Glory, Lord when I came into this life, and Oh when the Saints!   The readings can be found via this link!  Our sermon is entitled Death where is your sting?

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful time celebrating our harvest festival at Thung Dong Farm.  Altogether about thirty adults and children made the journey and the weather was beautiful!  This week we are back in our own church and back to our two services at 9:15 and 11 a.m.   The theme of this week’s worship is the call of God and the Gospel reading looks at the calling of blind man, Bartimaeus. Our sermon is entitled Take heart, He is calling you!

This week our readings are Job 42:1-6, 10, Hebrews 7:23-28, and Mark 10:46-52, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do dwell, Open my eyes and let me see, Jesus calls us o’er the tumult, and Guide me O thou great Jehovah!   The readings can be found via this link!

Just a reminder that this year we are holding our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Saturday 12th December, beginning at 7pm. This will take place in the beautiful Prince Royal’s College Chapel.  People interested in singing in the Choir please email Harvey at hnnich@gmail.com and indicate your interest.  The first choir rehearsal will be at 7:00 p.m. next Thursday, October 29th, in the new band room of CMIS.  Please be sure that Harvey has your name so that you can get into the school.  Tenors are especially needed!  If you know of one – tell Harvey!

God bless,

Iain

FROM REV IAIN BAXTER, ALL SAINTS CHIANG MAI

Dear Friends,

This week there will be no service at All Saints, instead we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival at Thung Dong Farm.  Please be at church for 9:15 a.m.   Cars and a mini-bus will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. and we will  spend the day at the farm. Our service will begin around 11:30 a.m. and we will share lunch together—which Warren has kindly provided. We should arrive back at church around 5 p.m.  You can see more pictures and information about the farm at www.thungdongfarmstay.com  It looks like a beautiful place!  If you intend to go you should have already signed up – we have about 35 people so far!  If you are a last minute person – email me now on iain@AllSaintsChiangMai.com to see if we have room!  It should be a memorable day!

Other events coming up include Remembrance Sunday on November 8th.  We will have a combined service, beginning at 10:30 am which will include 2 minutes silence at 11 am to remember victims of all wars, past and present.  Then November 11th is Remembrance Day, when there will be a short ceremony at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery, also beginning at 10:30 am, organised by the Royal British Legion. This will be followed by lunch at the Gymkhana Club. Everyone from All Saints is welcome to join.

This year we are holding our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Saturday 12th December, beginning at 7pm. This will take place in the beautiful Prince Royal’s College Chapel.  People interested in singing in the Choir please email Harvey at hnnich@gmail.com and indicate your interest.  The first choir rehearsal will be at 7:00 on October 29th in the new band room of CMIS.  Please be sure that Harvey has your name so that you can get into the school.

This week our readings are Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, and Matthew 6:25-31, and we will be singing the hymnsCome Ye Thankful People Come,  For the Fruit of all Creation, Now Thank We all our God, and We Plow the Fields and Scatter!   Our sermon is entitled What a Wonderful World!

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

God bless,

Iain

FROM REV IAIN BAXTER, ALL SAINTS CHIANG MAI

Remembrance Sunday 2014

Dear Friends,

There are lots of special events coming up over the next three months at All Saints, Chiang Mai.

Firstly, we have out Harvest Festival at Thung Dong Farm on Sunday 18th October.  This week is your last chance to sign up – we already have 30 people intending to come!  You can see more pictures and information about the farm at www.thungdongfarmstay.com  Then, on Sunday 1st November we will celebrate All Saints Day, our patronal festival.  The following week, Sunday 8th November, is Remembrance Sunday when we will remember victims of war around the world.  On Sunday 29th November, we will celebrate American Thanksgiving with a pot-luck following the service, and then on Saturday 12th December we will have our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Prince Royal College Chapel.

Please put all these special events in your diary!

Meanwhile, this week our service will look at God’s call on his people to help the poor.  Our readings are Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, and Mark 10:17-31, and we will be singing the hymns All Creatures of our God and King,Today we are called, Lord I want to be a Christian, and O 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 worshipping with us,

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This week’s readings include the story of Adam and Eve and Jesus’ answer to a question on divorce.  What is God saying to us about relationships?  That will be the message in this week’s sermon: what did God mean when he said “It is not good for Adam to be alone?”

In a strange coincidence, our two notices also have a garden or animal theme: Firstly, the Friends of the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery would like volunteers this Saturday to help in their gardening work, contact me if you are interested.  Secondly, it is now just over two weeks until our Harvest Festival on Sunday 18th October at Thung Dong Farm.  Please sign up this week if you intend to come.   There will be no service at All Saints on that day, instead we will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. and spend the day at the farm.  Our service will begin around 11:30 a.m. and we will share lunch together—which Warren has kindly provided. We should arrive back at church around 5 p.m.  You can see more pictures and information about the farm at www.thungdongfarmstay.com  It looks like a beautiful place!

This week our readings are Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, and Mark 10:2-16, and we will be singing the hymns Alleluia Sing to Jesus, Called as partners in Christ’s service, Let us break bread together, and Lift High the Cross.  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.

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

On Sunday 18th October we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival.  Living in the city we can easily be cut off from the cycle of nature and the abundance of God’s provision for us.  However, in Thailand we just have to look out the window to see the fruits of nature all around.  This year Warren has invited us to celebrate the harvest at his place, Thung Dong Farm.  There will be no service at All Saints on that day, instead we will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. and spend the whole day at the farm.

Our service will begin around 11:30 a.m. and we will share lunch together—which Warren has kindly provided. We should arrive back at church around 5 p.m.  You can see more pictures and information about the farm at www.thungdongfarmstay.com  It looks like a beautiful place!  If you intend to go, please sign up as we need to organise transportation for everyone!  It should be a memorable day.

Meanwhile, this week our readings are Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, James 5:13-20, and Mark 9:38-50, and we will be singing the hymns Let all the world in every corner sing, O Lord make haste to hear my cry, Break Thou the bread of life,and What a friend we have in Jesus!   The readings can be found via this link!  Our sermon is entitled What’s the point in praying?

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