HU Chant
“Chanting HU, an ancient name for the Divine, while in a contemplative state, is a simple technique to open the heart to greater happiness, love, inner peace and understanding,” says Hallie Shepherd.
Shepherd invites others to join the HU Chant group on Saturday, January 2, 10:30 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living at Nicholas Bravo 17. The short HU chant will be followed by refreshments and fellowship. For more information, contact Shepherd at (376) 766-3656 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The event is sponsored by Eckankar, Mexico.
St. Andrews Anglican
Pastor Hal Brown will talk about accomplishing dreams, especially the “impossible” ones, in his sermon, “You Gotta Get a Glory,” at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Sunday, January 3.
Children’s Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. and the worship service at 10 a.m. Refreshments are served after the service in the church garden.
Every Sunday, the feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes donations of non-perishable food items. Members of the congregation can leave the items in the baskets by the church doors.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, one block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Lake Chapala Baptist ciate Pastor Gary Smith of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church says, “Like in the parables, in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses everyday items – salt and light -- to illustrate a profound lesson about the kingdom of heaven. He tells us that just as a pinch of salt unlocks the flavor of many foods, so are believers called to season and transform the world with the flavor of grace and to make people thirsty for Jesus.
“Jesus also said, ‘You are the light of the world.’ Christ’s light exposes our need for salvation and reveals where danger, safety, direction and new life can be found. As light and salt, the people of God have a powerful influence upon the dark, bland world as they translate the Word of God into action for others.”
Smith will present the message during the Sunday January 3, 11 a.m. worship service at the church, Sta. Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
San Andres English
An English-language Mass will be held at on Friday, January 1, 9 a.m. which is Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Members of the English congregation of San Andres participate in a monthly drive for non-perishable food for the children and their caregivers at Villa Infantil de Guadalupe y San Jose. Area residents are reminded that this orphanage receives no funding from the government or from church hierarchy.
The 30 children are totally dependent on area groups, such as this congregation, to provide for their food needs. While the piles of food, paper and cleaning products transported from the church to the orphanage each month seems enough to last for ages, it takes an enormous amount to feed 35 people twice a day, and to keep the buildings, clothing and areas clean. (Most lunch meals are prepared and served by volunteers who deliver them to the children.)
Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. reminds the congregation that on “Sunday, January 3 we mark the Epiphany of the Lord during our 9 a.m. English mass. This feast celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. The celebration also recalls the visit of the magi.”
New Hope
The non-denominational congregation of the New Hope Christian Fellowship meets on Sunday, January 3, 11 a.m. at the home of Pastor Gene Raymer, the association’s president. He will begin to prepare the group for their move to a new location with the message, “What Shall We Pack?”
Says Raymer, “Our concern should not be about hymnals, or chairs, or any of the physical possessions of the congregation. What we must have with us are faith in the God we serve, dedication to His service and His love to share with our community. If we have these, the Lord will take care of everything else.”
Following the service, members of the congregation will continue their fellowship and discussion over a meal at a local restaurant.
New Hope Christian Fellowship is a group of Christian believers who are seeking to emphasize faith in Jesus and dedication to spreading His love through service to others in the community. For more information, contact the pastor at (376) 766-3435.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Pastor Guillermo Banuet, leader of the Lakeside Presbyterian Spanish congregation, presents the New Year message for the English service on Sunday, January 3, 10 a.m.
Following the service, the congregation gathers for refreshments and fellowship. Lakeside Presbyterian Church is at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar, two blocks south of Mom’s Deli.
Christ Church Episcopal
Fr. Danny Borkowski will lead the congregation of Christ Church Episcopal in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at The Little Chapel by the Lake on Sunday, January 3, 9:30 a.m. Borkowski’s message is “How Dear to Me Is Your Dwelling, O Lord” taken from Psalm 84.
The congregations of Christ Church and the Little Chapel share a coffee fellowship from 10:35 until 11:10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church at Carretera 10 near the Chula Vista Golf Club.
The Bible Study group resumes on Tuesday, January 5, 10 a.m. Those attending from the two churches will remove the holiday decorations after the Bible Study.
Little Chapel
Retired Pastor Max DeBeeson will be the guest speaker at the Sunday, January 3, 11:15 a.m. worship service at the Little Chapel by the Lake. He will continue with a second message on Sunday, January 10.
DeBeeson is a cellist who participates in the local orchestras. He is preparing a musical service at the Little Chapel for the end of January – a sing-along during the regularly scheduled worship service. For information or questions about the Little Chapel, call (376) 766-2538.
Jewish Congregation
During the Saturday, January 2, 10 a.m. Shabbat Service led by David Rosett, the portion read this week is Shemot, Exodus 1:1 - 6:1.
Otto Rand’s bible class continues its study of the Book of Kings on Saturday, January 2, 12:15 p.m.
Buddhist Group
When the Heart of Awareness Community meets on Wednesday, January 6, Noble Silence begins at 4 p.m., followed by formal meditation, dharma teachings and discussion beginning at 4:30 p.m. Following the meditation period there will be a presentation titled “The Three Kings – Celebrating Our Gifts.” Karin Miles will introduce the schedule for the visit of senior dharma teacher DaeJa Napierory next week.
The First Sunday Long Sit is set for Sunday, January 3, 9 a.m. to noon. Those participating should arrive by 8:50 a.m. to prepare for three rounds of 40 minutes of sitting and 20 minutes of walking meditation.
“Happy,” the Dharma Movie Matinee on Monday, January 4, 3 p.m., is a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what makes people happy. A potluck follows the matinee at 4:45 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 the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. For further information on the community and scheduled activities, visit the website, www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.