St Andrew’s Anglican
“The Powerful Powerless” is the title of Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sunday, October 18, 10 a.m. “One of the most familiar – and most ignored – teachings of Jesus has to do with power,” says Welty. “Contrary to every earthly conviction and practice, Jesus insisted that true power is found not in dominance but in service; the willingness to be last rather than the insistence on being first. That contradiction between culture and faith is the theme of this week’s message.”
Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. Refreshments are served in the garden after the morning service. Donations of non-perishable food items for the feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s can be left in baskets at the church doors.
To celebrate Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving traditions, St. Andrew’s will host a Harvest Comida in the garden on Friday, October 23 with a social hour at 4 p.m. and a 5 p.m. turkey dinner. Contact the church office on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon to purchase tickets.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, in Riberas del Pilar.
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal will celebrate the Holy Eucharist Rite II at The Little Chapel by the Lake, at Carretera 10 on Sunday, October 18, 9:30 a.m. Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside over the Mass and will give a message titled “Not Mine to Grant,” based on Mark 10:35-45.
The Congregations of Christ Church Episcopal and the Little Chapel share a common coffee fellowship between their respective services from 10:35 to 11:10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
The Tuesday Bible Study sponsored by Christ Church Episcopal meets at 2 p.m. to continue the in-depth look at the Gospel of John.
Little Chapel by the Lake
“It takes courage to live in today’s world. When I say this now, I hear an even more urgent cry than a year ago,” says Rev. Sidney DeWaal, the guest speaker at the morning worship service of the Little Chapel by the Lake on Sunday, October 18, 11:15 a.m.
“I have gone to the Bible to find encouragement,” sys DeWaal. “We are going to read five stories under the theme, ‘The Wonderful World of Courage.’ They all tell us, the concerned, fearful people, ’Take heart, be of good cheer, have courage! Talk is cheap but it is different when Jesus says it. He is the source of courage. The most pressing question is how we can live a courageous life today? The answer is kind of surprising.
Lake Chapala Baptist
“The New Testament book of James tells us how to approach trials by understanding the value of a test,” says Brother Bob Hendrick, describing the intended message of the morning worship service at Lake Chapala Baptist Church on Sunday, October 18, 11 a.m. “If outward trials are not aptly dealt with they can result in inward temptation. Robert Browning wrote, ‘… Thou hast formed me with passions wild and strong; and listening to their witching voice has often led me wrong.’
“How often we fall short of goals we have set when we allow the ‘witching voice’ to lead us. In the book of James we find how to handle temptations from within as well as trials from without by remembering the character of God, who saves by grace.”
Sunday school starts at Lake Chapala Baptist at 9:45 a.m. The church is at Sta. Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
New Hope
The recently formed non-denominational New Hope congregation will continue to meet at the home of Pastor Gene Raymer on Sunday, October 18. Refreshments will be served to early arrivals at 10:30 a.m.
Members will move to the balcony for an 11 a.m. service of worship and praise. Of his message, “Two Criminals,” Raymer says, “Two criminals were crucified with Jesus. One confessed his sin and was granted life with Jesus. The other did not. We want to examine how this applies to our lives today.” Following the service, members will continue the fellowship at a local restaurant.
New Hope Christian Fellowship welcomes all Christian believers and seekers. The pastor’s home is at Privada Jesus Garcia 11 in San Antonio Tlayacapan. For further information or directions, call (376) 766-3435.
Unitarian Universalist
Lew Crippen will address “The 100th Anniversary of the Theory of General Relativity: How Scientists View God/Religion” at the Sunday, October 18, 10:30 a.m. service of Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalists.
Crippen will discuss how the general theory of relativity has changed the way we look at the world and indeed, the universe. He asks if there was now a place for God or religion after Einstein’s theory. He also looks at how Einstein and other prominent scientists view religion? Nancy Jordon-Zanot will lead the service.
The Unitarian Universalists now has an enhanced personal sound system to help those with hearing issues by allowing them to use headphones or ear buds connected to an FM radio or FM capable cell phone.
This is an English-speaking, lay-led fellowship that meets in Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A, a wheelchair-accessible facility.
San Andres English
Christ the Suffering Servant of God is the theme of the Sunday, October 18, 9 a.m. English Mass at San Andres Catholic Church in Ajijic.
“Today we celebrate the Christ who gives meaning to all human suffering,” says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. “By taking on himself the roll of a servant and redeeming us by his sufferings, he has turned all our human values upside down. It is the weak who have become strong.”
Buddhists
When the Heart of Awareness Community meets on Wednesday, October 21, the Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m. followed by formal meditation. The dharma teaching and discussion is part of the video talk, “Letting Go,” by Stephen Batchelor, a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer.
“Wit,” directed by Mike Nichols with Emma Thompson, will be the feature at the Dharma Movie Matinee on Monday, October 19, 3 p.m.
The sangha is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, suites A-B in Ajijic. The Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian community grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior meditation experience or affiliation is required. For information on the community and scheduled activities, visit www.heartofawareness.org or call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.