St. Andrew’s Anglican
Responding to those who wonder if the evening of October 31 is satanic or sacred, hellish or wholesome, Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon title for on Sunday, November 1 makes his view clear. “Baptizing Halloween” insists that the childlike humor of that night is a wonderful prelude to the celebration of All Saints Day. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Refreshments are served in the garden after the service.
Children from the San Juan Cosala Golden Strings music program will participate in the 10 a.m. worship service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.
The annual fashion show featuring clothing donated to December Regalorama is slated for November 13. Lunch will be served at 2 p.m. The proceeds from the auction of the clothing will benefit Lakeside charities.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, in Riberas del Pilar.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Michael Hoyle will speak to the congregation of the Little Chapel by the Lake during the the first three Sundays in November. His Sunday, November 1 sermon is titled “The Power of Your Faith.” The following week he presents “The Tale of Two Gardens: Eden and Gethsemane.” On Sunday, November 15 Hoyle’s sermon will be “God’s Vision For Your Life.”
The group will join Christ Church in preparing the annual posada (Christmas party) for the children of San Juan Tecomatlan in early December. Those wishing to participate can call (376) 766-2538.
Lake Chapala Baptist
Brother Bob Hendrick, pastor of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church, tells a story to highlight the point of his message for the Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m. worship service.
A young girl helping her mother clean the house said: “You know that antique vase that has been handed down from generation to generation?”
“Yes, honey, I do.”
“Well, this generation just dropped it.”
Says Hendrick: “The Bible challenges all generations of believers to be ‘doers’ of the things Jesus said, not just ‘hearers,’ Is our generation meeting the challenge or have we dropped the treasure that is Word of God? Believers who are listening and living the Word of God will make a difference in the church and in the world. The letter to believers from Jesus’ half-brother, James tells what that would look like.”
Bible study is at 9:45 a.m.
San Andres English
Sunday, November 1 is the feast day of All Saints. “Today we offer the Lamb and celebrate the victory of our God in the company of all the redeemed in the heavenly kingdom,” says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D.Min., celebrant of the 9 a.m. English Mass at San Andres Catholic Parish Church.
On the first Sunday of each month, members of the English-speaking congregation donate non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies and paper products for the 31 orphans at Villa Infantil and the sisters who care for the children.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Continuing his “What’s Next?” series, Pastor Ross Arnold’s sermon on Sunday, November 1, 10 a.m. will Says Arnold: “When Jesus said to his followers, ‘I was in prison and you visited me,’ (Matthew 25:36), he meant it as very real and practical instructions that Christians should care for people in prison. In fact, Jesus emphasized the point by saying that as we provide for those in need we quite literally are providing for Jesus himself.”
Lakeside Presbyterian Church has launched and will be expanding efforts to minister to men and women in area prisons. They are providing toiletries and other necessities to women in the regional Reclusorio Feminil and supporting a doll-making business that helps imprisoned women earn money and grow in hope. Fellowship and a coffee hour follows the service.
The church is at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar, two blocks toward the lake from Mom’s Restaurant.
New Hope
The worship service for the congregation of the New Hope Christian Fellowship on Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m. will include Children’s Bible Time as well as a message that Pastor Gene Raymer has titled “What Hurricane?”
“Scientists will explain why they predicted death and destruction from Patricia and explain why the storm altered course and dissipated as it did. We believe the prayers of the people led God to protect the people from what men had predicted would be a disaster of epic proportions,” says Raymer. “That same protection belongs to all who live according to God’s will.”
There is time for fellowship during the refreshments before the service and when the members join for lunch at a local restaurant. New Hope Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation seeking to operate according to the principles set forth for the first century church. They meet at Privada Jesus Garcia 11 in San Antonio. For information, contact the pastor at (376) 766-3435.
Unitarian Universalists
Fred Harland is leading the participatory Day of the Dead Service at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalists on Sunday, November 1, 10:30 a.m. Those attending are reminded that it’s good to remember loved ones and are urged to consider talking briefly at the service about someone who has been important and who is now dead. Those who wish can bring a memento or a picture of that person
The Unitarian Universalists now have an enhanced personal sound system to help those with hearing issues during Sunday services.
The local group is an English-speaking, lay-led fellowship that meets every Sunday at Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A, a wheelchair-accessible facility.
Buddhist Group
When the Heart of Awareness Community meets on Wednesday, November 4, Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m. followed by a formal meditation, dharma teachings and discussion at 4:30 p.m. Part 1 of a four-part video program titled “Spiritual Bypassing,” taught by Ethan Nichtern, will be viewed.
The monthly First Sunday Long Sit is held Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants are urged to arrive by 8:50 a.m. to prepare for three rounds of 40-minute sitting and 20-minute walking meditation.
The Dharma Movie Matinee on Monday, November 2, 3 p.m., features “Yangsi.” The potluck will be postponed until Monday, November 16.
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 the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. For information, visit www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.