Celebrating Birthdays at the Chiang Rai First Church, Chiang Rai, Thailand

We arrived in Chiang Rai, Thaland for a short holiday. It was Sunday and we went to the 10 a.m. service at the Chiang Rai First Church. This is a huge beautiful church situataed in the downtown area of Chiang Ria, Thailand. There are two parts to to the church, the original building and a new addition built next to the old one in 2014.

We could tell that the church was well loved and cared for by its congrgation as the church ground was well kept with the grass freshly mowed and shrubs trimmed meticulously. Everywhere we turned we saw pretty pots of flowers placed at differently places carefully and intentionally to enhance the serenity and the beauty of the church grounds.

The service was conducted in Thai with simultaneous English translation delivered to the listeners on earpieces. As soon as we sat down, the usher welcome us warmly and handed us a set each of the earpiece. Unfortunately, mine was not working properly and my husband and I had to share a set between us. The Sunday Service was attended by mostly Thai people with only a handful of foreigners including us.

The program of the service was similar to what we have in North America. One thing I found comforting was hearing the familiar hymns sung in Thai language. It sounded so familiar that I thought the congregation was singing in English! One particular program I really appreciated was the acknowledgement and celebration of birthdays by the church. At the conclusion of his sermon, the minister read out the names of the birthday people who were asked to come forward to the altar to receive their blessings and a small gift for each perosn from the church team. What a heart warming gesture from the church leaders!

Unfortunately, due to the language barrier, we didn’t have any interaction or fellowship with any member of the congregation when the service was over. But it was good to be in the house of the Lord in Chiang Rai,, Thailand where 95% of the Thai people are Buddhists with only 5% of the population being Christians. We are thankful that Thai people have the freedom to choose and practise their chosen religion and that Christians are free to follow Jesus in Thailand!

R.T. Chiang Rai First Church Chiang Rai, Thailand