Lake Chapala Baptist
“This week we talk about the birth of Jesus,” says Brother Bob Hendrick of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church. “Our focus, however, is not on a manger in Bethlehem, but rather on the story a twin brother named Jacob whose story leads to that manger and beyond.
“Of course, to understand one, we also need to consider the other twin, Esau. Then we see the descendants of these two opposing one another from Genesis to Revelation. The Christmas story will be in there. And a happy ending will be an option.”
Lake Chapala Baptist’s worship service on Sunday, December 20 is set for 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. at the church at Santa Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
“A Song for Sighing” is the sermon topic on Sunday, December 20, 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. Fr. Winston Welty suggests that if Christmas is to be anything more than a Hallmark holiday, the Virgin Mary’s response to God’s interruption of her life needs to be our response as well.
The worship service on the last Sunday before Christmas begins with the lighting of the Advent Wreath. The children’s bilingual Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. and a coffee hour in the garden follows the worship service.
On Christmas Eve, choir anthems and congregational caroling begin at 6:15 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the annual Festal Eucharist, including the sermon: “Were the Angels Wrong?” Then the congregation gathers in the garden for the traditional Christmas bonfire and treats.
The Christmas Day worship service (Friday) begins at 10 a.m. with music, the full choir, and the sermon, “The Baghdad Christmas Tree.”
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Little Chapel
“Mary’s Life” is the topic Pastor Mike Hoyle has chosen for the Sunday, December 20, 11:15 a.m. service at the Little Chapel by the Lake. The members of the congregation share refreshments and fellowship with the members of Christ Church from 10:30 -11:15 a.m.
The two groups will host a joint candlelight Christmas Eve service on Thursday, December 24, 5:30 p.m. The event will feature carol singing, Bible readings and a candle lighting ceremony. Those attending will share holiday refreshments and fellowship at the conclusion of the service.
The Little Chapel is on the Carretera between Chapala and Ajijic at the east end of Chula Vista.
Lakeside Presbyterian
The Sunday, December 20 service at Lakeside Presbyterian begins at 10 a.m., when Pastor Ross Arnold considers the lessons of “The Magnificat,” the beautiful Song of Mary as is found in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
“The Magnificat” is one of four hymns recorded in the Bible that celebrate Advent, or the coming of Jesus. In it, Mary expresses God’s glory, her awe at being selected to bear God’s Son, and her gratitude to God for fulfilling his promise to his people. The congregation gathers for refreshments and fellowship after the service.
“The Pastor’s Forum” convenes in the library at 11:30 a.m., when attendees may ask questions regarding the sermon, the church, the faith, and other subjects of interest.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar, two blocks south of Mom’s Deli.
San Andres English
Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. will consider the heritage of Jesus and his destiny during the English mass at San Andres Parish Church on Sunday, December 20, 9 a.m.
“From the least of the clans of Judah, from Mary his lowly handmaid, God prepared a body for his Christ, who comes to fill the world with his spirit of peace,” he says.
The English congregation meets for Christmas Day mass on Friday, December 25, 9 a.m.
Says Royston: “For us the Word of God is no longer the message spoken by prophets, but the messenger of God in person, the eternal Word begotten of the Father before time began.”
New Hope
The non-denominational congregation of the New Hope Christian Fellowship will celebrate the birth of Jesus at their regular service on Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m.
Along with Children’s Bible Time and hymns of the season, Pastor Gene Raymer will deliver a message titled “They Told Whom?”
“We might think that the arrival of the Messiah would be announced to religious leaders first,” Raymer explains. “Perhaps the birth of the one who was to establish God’s kingdom on earth would have His birth announced to the emperor and kings. Instead, God sent angels to tell the lowly shepherds of Jesus’ birth. Do you wonder why?”
Following the service, members of the congregation will continue their fellowship with a meal at a local restaurant.
While waiting on the completion of their new meeting place, the congregation is meeting at the home of their association president near the new Pemex gas station in Riberas del Pilar. For specific directions, call the pastor at (376) 766-3435.
Unitarian Universalists
“Christmas Traditions, Mexican Style” is the theme of the Sunday, December 20, 10:30 a.m. gathering of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalists.
Kathy Koches leads a service that will include Christmas music performed by Gustavo Medeles and by the children’s choir from San Juan Cosala under the direction of Danny Medeles.
The Unitarian Universalists use an enhanced personal sound system to help those with hearing issues during the Sunday services. Attendees may use headphones or ear buds connected to an FM radio or FM capable cell phone.
The group is an English-speaking, lay-led fellowship that meets on the west side of Ajijic in Plaza de la Ribera Rio Bravo 10A, in a wheelchair-accessible facility.
Buddhist Group
When the Heart of Awareness Community meets on Wednesday, December 23, Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed by a formal meditation, dharma teachings and discussion at 4:30 p.m.
Following the meditation period this week, Kevin Knox will present the second of his talks on Buddhist Practice Traditions. This week the topics will be Indian Mahayana, Tibetan Buddhism, Ch’on and Zen.
The Dharma Movie Matinee on Monday, December 14, 3 p.m. is “How to Cook Your Life,” the art of cookery as described by Zen priest Edward Brown.
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 further information on the community and scheduled activities, visit www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.
St. Mark’s Anglican/Guadalajara
On Sunday, December 21, at the 10:30 a.m. English Mass, St. Mark’s will continue to celebrate Advent and enjoy the informative sermons of the Rev. Dr. Jim Priddy. Three seasonal projects continue: the collection for poinsettias for the Christmas Eve service, the drive to provide mothers who give birth at a tiny Jocotepec clinic with items such as blankets and diapers, and the “angel tree” project, which will bring five very needy children the modest gifts they have requested.
Plans are under way for the exuberant Christmas Eve musical Mass Thursday, December 24, 7 p.m. The church choir under Debbie Matthew (with regular, invited and professional singers and the acclaimed Ana Silvia Guerrero on the organ) will present the music. As director Matthew explains, “We’ll do a lot of beautiful music, from carols and anthems to our traditional, roaring finale, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.” The pretty chapel is known for its acoustics.