From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

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Dear Friends,

Our worship continues at All Saints and we seem to have grown in number since our move to our new building – I have had to increase the bulletin print-run.   However, we are also getting hot as we increase in number. I would like us to have air-conditioning by next summer, but meanwhile, if anyone had a spare fan please bring it along!  I am also getting very busy with church, college and school!  If you can offer your time to do some of the jobs around the church please see me on Sunday.  Help is needed with website, publicity, printing, plant-care, cleaning supervision, and many other things!

This Sunday our readings are taken from Exodus 1:8-2:10, Romans 12:1-8, and Matthew 16:13-20, and we will be singing the hymns Christ is made the Sure Foundation, Christ is Alive!, Jesu Jesu Fill us with Your Love, and All for Jesus.  You can find the readings via this link.  Our sermon will be reflecting on Jesus’ question to Peter:Who do you say that I am?

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 share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you again 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 an exciting adventure when the lock on the door to the church office jammed just before we began our worship.  Before and after the service, almost every member of the congregation had a go at picking the lock with a paper-clip, poking away with a knife, or even using brute-force to break the door down.  Luckily nobody was trapped inside and the main result of the closed door was that I had to lead worship with no stole or surplice.  On Monday, I met with the landlord who replaced the lock.  Now we have a secure door and a new key!

The door seems to be a metaphor for the life of many of us. This week I return for my finally year at McGilvary College, and a new door had opened for me as I begin part-time teaching at Chiang Mai International School.   New doors seem to be opening for many of our congregation, while old ones are closing.  As a congregation, we have seen almost a doubling in numbers since we moved to our new building!  God is the one who opens new doors for us and guides us in our choices through the Holy Spirit.

At the same time, there are many among us who need our prayers as they go through difficult times of transition.  Let us hold each other in our prayers, and please pray for me as I begin such a busy year.

This Sunday our Bible readings are taken from Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, and Matthew 15:10-28, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, I will offer up my life, Come Down O Love Divine, and Oh for a thousand Tongues to Sing.  You can find the readings via this link.  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 share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

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God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We had a great service last week with 20 people in attendance – our largest congregation so far – including my parents, who it was great to welcome to Chiang Mai again.  This was followed by a great brunch at Marc’s 26th floor apartment in the tallest building in the city! Thanks Marc, for a great time together!

This Sunday our readings are taken from Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, and Matthew 14:13-21, and we will be singing the hymns All People that on Earth do Dwell, Called as Partners in Christ’s Service, Break Thou the Bread of Life, and Beauty for Brokeness.  You can find the readings via this link.

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 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

Our new building ready for Worship!

Dear Friends,

We had a great first service this week at Kaeo Nawarat Road, Soi 2/2 – our new church home!  There was a great turn-out as we worshiped together and celebrated the love God has for all people!  The text was from Romans 8 – There is no Condemnation! 

The service was followed by a delicious pot-luck meal.

Pot-luck in the Kitchen

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This Sunday Elena will be preaching, and our readings are Genesis 28:10-19, Romans 8:12-25, and Matthew 13:24-43, and we will be singing the hymns All Creature of our God and King, There’s a Spirit in the Air, Let us Break Bread Together, and All are Welcome.  You can find the readings via this link.

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 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

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What a wonderful weekend we just had!  On Saturday we gathered at our new building to paint, clean and make ready for worship, and then on Sunday we had our last service at 18 Pa Tan Road, including Noom’s baptism in the River Ping.

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Fifteen of us spent about six hours on Saturday, cleaning, organising and painting.  It was a great time of fellowship as we worked together as well as a necessary preparation for our new worship centre.  Despite many having valid excuses not to turn-up, people came.  And the turn-out was 150% of our average Sunday congregation!

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We stopped at about 1pm to share pizza for lunch!  Even the kids enjoyed painting!  Those who have not yet had enough, can join us again at 10 a.m. on Saturday to finish the painting and get everything ready for next Sunday.

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Last Sunday we gathered at 18 Pa Tan Road for the last time.  It was sad to say goodbye to our beautiful outdoor worship by the river, and we remembered many friends who had worshipped with us during the year, including the Chase family and Darryl and Lindy.

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However, it was also a time of new beginning,as we had our very first baptism, as Noom was baptised in the very muddy River Ping!  Video of the baptism can be viewed here.

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In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

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So now God leads us onwards!  This week we will have our first service in our new building at Kaeo Nawarat Road, Soi 2/2. This will be a service of thanksgiving and dedication as we rejoice in all that God has done for us, and, of course, we will share the Eucharist together.  The service will be followed by a pot-luck.

This Sunday our readings are taken from Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, and Matthew 13:1-9,18-23, and we will be singing the hymns Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Let Us Build a House, I am the Bread of Life, and For All the Saints!  You can find the readings via this link.
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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 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,

Ecclesia a nobis – We have a church!  Of course, the church is the people, but it’s great that we now have our own building.

Yesterday, Elena and I went down to the new church building to get the keys.  We now have our building. She was greatly impressed by the space.  I have a list of paint, brushes, rollers, and cloths to buy, ready for our fixing-up day on Saturday.  We will meet there at 10 am.  Bring old clothes and a happy smile!  Lunch will be provided.

We already have tables, chairs and drawers there, purchased at a very good price.  Thanks to William and Tarntip for transport to the place selling them, and Matt and Noon for assisting in carrying them back to the church!

This Sunday is our last service at 18 Pa Tan Road. After almost one year of worship on the terrace we are moving on.  It has been a great place to praise God in the midst of nature.  We may even get to use the river this week!  Our first service in the new building will be the following week on Sunday 13th July.  The service will also be followed by a potluck.   Directions to the new place are on the website!

This Sunday our readings are taken from Genesis 24, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Alleluia Alleluia Give Thanks, Come Down O Love Divine, and Love Divine all Loves Excelling.  You can find the readings via this link.  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 share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

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God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

We have only two more weeks of worship at 18 Pa Tan Road: this week, 29th June, and the following week, 6th July.  I hope you can join us.  As you know, All Saints is moving and we will have the first service in our the new building on 13th July.  The service will be followed by a potluck.   Directions to the new place are on the website!  We have just purchased a “home cinema sound system” for our new church home, so the music should be louder and clearer.

Everyone is invited to the new building on Saturday 5th July to clean, paint and make things ready for our first service.  We will be there from 10 am onward.  It seems we will then be sharing in a BBQ in the afternoon, to belatedly celebrate 4th July, at Mark’s home.  Apparently, something happened on that day!

Our readings this Sunday are taken from Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, and Matthew 10:40-42, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise, There’s a Spirit in the Air, Will you come and Follow Me?, and All My Hope on God Is Founded.  You can find the readings via this link.

Video and audio of our main 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 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,

A reminder again that we will have the first service in our the new building on 13th July.  The service will also be followed by a potluck.   Directions to the new place are on the website!  Only three more services at 18 Pa Tan Road!  We will go together to the new building on Saturday 5th July to clean, paint and make things ready for our first service, and share pizza for lunch!  More details to follow.

Meanwhile, this Sunday we will be sharing in our weekly Eucharist as usual, and our readings are taken from Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1-11, and Matthew 10:24-39.  We will be singing the hymns Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with Your Love, and Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.

God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

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Sadly, Ken, our faithful “Church Warden” and coffee maker, will be leaving us on 20th June, so this week will be his last service with us at All Saints.  He will be returning to his wife, Emily, and daughter, Pamela, in Cairo, Egypt.  We will have a potluck following the service to mark his departure.

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All Saints is moving too – though not as far!  We will have the first service in our the new building on 13th July.  The service will also be followed by a potluck.   Directions to the new place are on the website! Last week we again had a special offering towards our new building, and a further THB 4,300 was given.  The total is now THB 16,100.  Envelopes will again be available this week for those who would like to contribute but have not yet been able to do so.  Thanks to all who have so generously given already.  We will go together to the new building on Saturday 5th July to clean, paint and make things ready for our first service.  More details to follow.  Does pizza for lunch sound a good plan?

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Meanwhile, this Sunday we will be celebrating Trinity Sunday and our readings are taken from Genesis 1:1-2:4, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, and Matthew 28:16-20, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise, Let us Break Bread Together, and Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.

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Video and audio of our services, including last week’s Pentecost service, 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.

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God bless,

Iain

From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,

This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when God sent the Holy Spirit on his people!  Our readings are taken from Acts 2.1-13,1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, and John 7:37-39, and we will be singing the hymns On Pentecost They Gathered, Come Down O Love Divine, O Breath of Life, Spirit of God Unseen as The Wind, and O God of Burning, Cleansing Fire.

Ken is safely home from hospital.  Thanks to William and Tarntip who helped us file a police accident report yesterday, to help with the insurance claim.  Anyone who is free tonight after 6pm is warmly invited to the house, 18 Pa Tan Road, to welcome Ken back and to share coffee and snacks together.

Last week we again had a special offering towards our new building. It should be an excellent venue where we will be able to worship for a number of years.   THB 7,000 was given last week and the total is now THB 11,800.  Envelopes will again be available this week for those who would like to contribute but have not yet been able to do so.  We will move into the new building some time in July as the lease begins on the first of the month.  We would like as many people as possible to be present for our first service, which will be followed by a potluck, so please let me know any Sunday in July when you are unable to  worship with us.

Video and audio of our 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 share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit!  We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,

God bless,

Iain