Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a congregation of the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe Palm Sunday by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Sunday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. at the Little Chapel by the Lake with the Liturgy of the Palms, including a procession with the blessed palms, a congregational recital of the Passion according to Matthew, and the Holy Eucharist. Vicar Danny Borkowski will preside and give a message with the theme “Son of the Father” based on Matthew 27:11-54.
Christ Church observes Maundy Thursday, April 13, with the Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing at 5 p.m. at the Little Chapel by the Lake.
Christ Church observes Good Friday on April 14, noon, with the Good Friday Liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer featuring a congregational reading of the Passion according to John. Borkowsi will preside at both services.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at Manix Restaurant at about 11:15 a.m.
Christ Church Episcopal sponsors a Bible Study Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m. in the hall to tackle the fascinating Book of Isaiah.
Little Chapel by the Lake
On Palm Sunday, April 9, Pastor Ken Armstrong discusses the contemporary tragedy underlying Jesus’ triumphal entry in “Looking for the Triumphant King,” drawn from Daniel 9 and Matthew 21.
Little Chapel is open Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. for silent prayer and worship in the sanctuary and memorial prayer garden. Everyone is welcome.
The Little Chapel is located in the historic stone church building in Chula Vista, at Carretera Chapala-Ajijic 10.
Non-denominational, English-language Sunday worship service is at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to stay for a friendly potluck meal after the service. For more information, call 766-2538 or 332-186-0417 (cell) or visit LittleChapelChapala.org.
Home Church Intl.
Palm Sunday, known as the time Jesus rode into Jerusalem, is undeniably connected to Easter, or what should be better known as Resurrection Day. When Jesus entered the city, his reputation from healings, miracles, and unique message was a great drawing card. People, at this point, wanted to honor His arrival by ‘paving’ his approach with palm fronds and other objects to indicate their welcoming frame of mind. The sad part which we have learned is that many of the same people would be changing their tune as they were brainwashed by the Pharisees into demanding His crucifixion. What does this say to us about demanding the truth, rather than being influenced by the propaganda? This might say something about our inward orientation. It will affirm the fact that religion is not enough. God does not approve religion. It was the religious people who demanded His Son’s death. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen lead their home church groups carefully in teaching God’s Word to truly know what it means to be a genuine follower of Christ, which is what the word Christian means. To learn places and times of home worship, contact the pastors at (332) 242-8648, or email 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..
Lakeside Presbyterians
Holy Week begins at Lakeside Presbyterian Church April 9 with a Palm Sunday service at 10 a.m. Pastor Ross Arnold will preach a sermon entitled “Hosanna,” considering what we can learn from the Jewish people who were there 2,000 years ago when Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem before the last week of his life on earth. After the service, everyone is invited to stay and enjoy the regular Second Sunday potluck lunch.
Thursday, April 13, Lakeside Presbyterian will have a 10 a.m. Maundy Thursday Service of Communion, with Pastor Ross’s meditation entitled, “Little Children.”
Good Friday, April 14, a traditional “Tenebrae” (or “Service of Darkness”) will be held at 10 a.m., in acknowledgement of the suffering and death Jesus endured on our behalf.
Easter morning, April 16, everyone is invited to join Lakeside Presbyterian at 10 a.m. for a great celebration of the Risen Christ, when Pastor Ross will speak on the topic, “What is Truth?”
Lakeside Presbyterian is located at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. Turn toward the lake at Mom’s Restaurant and the church is two blocks down on the right. English-language services begin each Sunday, 10 a.m. and Spanish-language services are 9 a.m. and noon. Everyone is welcome.
Lake Chapala Baptists
“They say, ‘No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.’ That is not true with me. I want a doctor to know his business whether or not he likes me. I want a lawyer or investment professional to know something before I hire them. Maybe I can get them to care later. As I consider Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem the week of His crucifixion, I am amazed that He knew me and He cared. The order is significant. He knew my wretchedness. And He knew it well (completely). And in spite of what He knew and even because of what He knew, He cared enough to be the sacrifice to pay my debt on the cross. The Word of God says the penalty for sin is death. I live because Jesus, Messiah, knew me and loved me. He knows you, too. And He cares enough to accept you like you are, but He loves you too much to leave you like you are.”
Brother Hendrick will give the sermon on Palm Sunday, April 9.
The Lake Chapala Baptist Church is located at Santa Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
At St. Andrew’s Anglican Church this week, the congregation wraps up preparations for Holy Week and Easter, when they celebrate both the death and the Resurrection of Jesus. Sunday, April 9, begins in the Church garden at 10 a.m. with the Liturgy of the Palms, a reenactment of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Maundy Thursday, 5 p.m., Holy Eucharist will be given and foot-washing and stripping the altar will be performed.
Saint Andrew’s remembers Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday at noon, with Holy Eucharist from reserved sacrament. Easter Sunday, there will be two Festival Services, at 9 and 11 a.m. with choir.
A healing service at is held Wednesday, April 12, followed by Bible Study. The Rev. Robbin Del Nagro will lead the study on the Book of Ephesians.
Every Sunday, the feeding programs supported by St. Andrew’s welcome donations of non-perishable food items. Boxed milk and empty cardboard egg cartons are especially welcome, in addition to rice, beans, pasta, oil and salt.
Whenever you want to get rid of something, don’t forget the resale shop, Todo Bueno, located on the highway next to S&S Auto in Riberas del Pilar. Every donation or consignment made benefits the outreach ministry of St. Andrew’s. Todo Bueno is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, just a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
San Andres English
“On this day, the Church celebrates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “The Good News of the Covenant” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service Palm Sunday, April 9, 9 a.m. The congregation will celebrate with the blessing of the palms.
The San Andres English congregation has their second Sunday White Envelope Offering to support the church’s outreach projects after the Mass. This offering supports many local charities: Anita’s Shelter, six student scholarships, Villa Infantil, Operation Feed, Cruz Roja, Niños Incapacitados, El Corazon del Ancianos, the Ancianos Christmas Dinner, the San Andrés fiesta, Niños y Jovenes, and scholarships for local Seminarian students.
Good Friday, April 14, San Andres will celebrate the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord in English at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary on the Ajijic Plaza (north-west corner) at 3 p.m.
San Andres is located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
Unitarian Universalists
Sunday, April 9, Kathy Koches will lead the service and Bob Koches will give a presentation, “UU Spirituality and Practices.” This service is an introduction to a series of talks on spiritual practices and the link between spirituality and health.
The Unitarians meet 10:30 a.m. at Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the bell tower, on the north side of the Carretera. For more information, call Fred Harland at (376) 766-1458.
Abundant Life
Come to Abundant’s Life Church’s special service Sunday, April 9 as the congregation studies the use of palm branches through the Bible. Attendees will have an opportunity to worship in a unique way using the branches that will be provided. Jesus was welcomed in this way as he entered Jerusalem.
Abundant Life Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God of Mexico and has services for everyone. An English-language worship service is held each Sunday, 10 a.m. and Bible study Wednesday, 3 p.m. Spanish-language services are Sunday, noon. Bible studies are on Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. A children’s ministry is held Saturday, noon and the youth meet Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Abundant Life Church is located at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140 in San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from SuperLake. For more information, call (331) 417-7038.
Jewish Congregation
Shabbat Torah services are held the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m., and Shabbat evening services and potluck every second and fourth Friday, 6 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation. The synagogue is located at Sta. Margarita 113, Riberas del Pilar (mountainside of the Carretera, diagonally across from Mom’s Restaurant). Call (376) 766-2668 or see www.lakesidejews.com.
St. Mark’s Anglican
Guadalajara
Palm Sunday, April 9, is celebrated at 12:30 p.m. in the garden with a palm procession, Mass, and dramatization of events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. Fr. Jim Priddy will give the sermon, “Out on a Limb.”
It’s back to the regular time for English Mass (10:30 a.m.) on Easter Sunday, April 16, but the celebration will be extraordinary. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Bach’s “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” and more will be sung by the choir and invited singers. An Easter egg hunt and Easter bonnet contest in the garden follow Mass at noon. The sermon for Easter Sunday will be “Resurrection.” Everyone is invited. Chichmecas 836 at Aztecas. www.stmarksanglican.org.