St. Andrew’s Anglican
“Repent! The end is near!” The cartoon caricature of a wild-eyed fanatic in a sandwich board in New York’s Times Square makes the Christian notion of the Second Coming of Christ seem absurd. But “First Things First,” Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon Sunday, November 15, 10 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, takes seriously both Jesus’ promise to return and His unwillingness to set a date. Welty simply asks what we’re to do in the meantime.
Refreshments are served in the garden after the service. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. The feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes donations of non-perishable items, which can be placed in baskets a the church doors each Sunday.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Christ Church
Fr. Danny Borkowski, the vicar of Christ Church Episcopal, presides at the worship service on Sunday, November 15, 9:30 a.m. at the Little Chapel by the Lake. The message is titled “Birthpangs” and is based on Mark 13:1-8.
The congregations of Christ Church and the Little Chapel share coffee fellowship at 10:35 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, between their respective services.
Bible Study resumes on Tuesday, November 17, 2 p.m. at the Little Chapel.
Lake Chapala Baptist
“It has been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence,” says Brother Bob Hendrick, pastor of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church.
Describing the message of the Sunday, November 15, 11 a.m. worship service, he adds, “One of the consequences of obedience to what we say we believe is that true faith (belief) will affect my whole life. There is a difference between mental assent and Biblical belief. I can intellectually believe that two 10-peso coins equal 20 pesos but that belief has no effect on every-day life. Or I can believe that 10 and 10 equals 20 and therefore refuse to surrender any more than two 10-peso coins for a 20-peso purchase. I believe the fact and I direct by life by it. That is what James was describing when he wrote “faith without works is dead.”
Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Sta. Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
Unitarian Universalist
Guest speaker Rev. Ernie Mills continues his series of sermons during the Sunday, November 14, 10:30 a.m. service of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist congregation. This week he looks to the Seventh principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part” in “Declaration of Inter-dependence.”
The Seventh Principle reminds that Chief Seattle taught that individuals “did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it.” The principle expands the vision beyond the human, cultural world to include all of life as well as interdependence on that life.
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist group is an English-speaking, lay-led inclusive fellowship that meets in the wheelchair accessible Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A in Ajijic.
New Hope
New Hope Christian Fellowship reports that it is waiting for new facilities to be completed and legal recognition from the Mexican government.
The Sunday, November 15, 11 a.m. service begins with the Children’s Bible Time. Pastor Gene Raymer’s message for the adults, “It’s Free, But it’ll Cost You,” describes Paul’s lesson that salvation is free, a gift from God which cannot be earned.
“We are called to be Jesus’ disciples,” Raymer says. “We must deny ourselves, take up our own personal cross and follow the example Jesus sets for us.” Members of the congregation continue their fellowship over lunch in a local restaurant.
New Hope Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation seeking to grow according to the model of the first-century Christian church. The congregation meets in Raymer’s home at Privada Jesus Garcia 11. For information call (376) 766-3435.
San Andres English
During the Sunday, November 15, 9 a.m. mass at San Andres parish church in Ajijic, the English congregation delves into the eternal perfection of all whom Christ is sanctifying.
“We celebrate today the final consummation at the end of time,” says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. “Each mass continues Christ’s redemptive work in the world and brings us nearer to the final mass when that work of sanctification will be complete.”
Buddhist Group
When the Heart of Awareness Community meets on Wednesday, November 18, the Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed by a formal meditation, dharma teachings and discussion. Part 3 of the four-part video program, “Recognize Emptiness, Experience Wonder,” by Ethan Nichtern will be shown.
The Monday, November 16, 3 p.m. Dharma Movie Matinee is “Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,” featuring one of Tibet’s most revered 20th century Buddhist teachers. A potluck will follow the movie.
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 about the community and -activities , visit www.heartofawareness.org or call Janet Reichert, (376) 766-6069.