Lake Chapala Baptist
Says Brother Bob Hendrick: “My wife, Judy, and I often share driving on a long trip.
When not driving, each of us has our imaginary pedal on the passenger’s floorboard. Hers is a brake. Mine is an accelerator. We both know to avoid the blind spots of other drivers. Her default method is to slow down. Mine is to speed up. We learned the caution in driver’s education. We all should likewise learn that people have blind spots that have no relation to piloting an automobile. Sometimes we are aware of someone’s blind spot, but assume that we can expect them to avoid offending us, and then we seem surprised at the offence when it takes place. The Bible says that some people just have a venom like a snake (Psalm 58:4) and that our responsibility is to live at peace as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). Sometimes the spiritual thing to do is simply avoid a snake bite.”
Sunday, November 26, 11 a.m., Brother Hendrick will give the sermon at the worship service of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church, located at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar.
Abundant Life Church
Says Pastor Gary Neighbor: “I am thankful that God has chosen to reveal his nature to us and prove that He exists through all that he has created. Many, at this time of the year, are thankful for people or things in their lives but we should be thankful first to God since he created them all.”
Sunday, November 26, Pastor Neighbor will open the scriptures, showing that when we start to appreciate the created things more than the creator we are placing ourselves in danger. “Recognizing God´s hand is the first step toward the wisdom that leads to true salvation.”
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 at noon. Spanish-language Bible studies are Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. A children’s ministry is held Saturday, noon, and youth meet Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Abundant Life Church is located at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from Super Lake. For more information, call 331-417-7038 (cel).
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Sunday, November 26, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mother Liza Spangler will preach on a parable of the Last Judgment, where the king will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. The writer of Matthew’s Gospel uses such clear-cut, black-and-white images: wheat and tares, wise and foolish maidens, sheep and goats. So, the Final Judgment is a snap because some are sheep and some are goats, and that’s that. But, she asks, is judgment, or life, or the way we see ourselves, really so black and white?
The service of Holy Eucharist begins 10 a.m., and the bilingual children’s Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. Coffee hour, a time of fellowship and welcome, follows the service.
This last Sunday of the month, we’ll collect donations to provide lunches for the Mezcala schoolchildren.
The men’s lunch is Thursday, November 30, noon at Tony’s new restaurant east of Chapala, on the road to the Chapala Country Club, between Santa Cruz and San Nicholas.
Our annual Carol Sing will be at St. Andrew’s Friday, December 8. Social hour begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by a potluck and then the Carol sing. Cost is 50 pesos. Sign-up Sunday, November 26 or December 3.
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 recycle something, don’t forget our resale shop, Todo Bueno. Every donation or consignment made benefits St. Andrew’s outreach ministry, which supports a multitude of charities at Lakeside. Clothing, kitchenware, electronics, bric-a-brac, furniture, appliances, books, collectibles, sports equipment, etc., are all welcome. Todo Bueno, open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is located on the highway next to S&S Auto in Riberas del Pilar.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the 25th and last Sunday after Pentecost, November 26, with Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake. Vicar Danny Borkowski will preside and the Deacon Jim Powers will give the message “Compassion and Giving,” based on Matthew 25:31-46.
Note that until further notice, the time of service has been changed to 9 a.m. from 9:30 a.m., and refreshments and coffee will be available in the Fellowship Hall of Little Chapel following the service.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at Min Wah Restaurant at 11:15 a.m. The Bible Study will meet Tuesday, November 28, 2 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Little Chapel, where they will continue their exploration of Paul’s letters in chronological order. All are welcome.
Unitarian Universalists
The service at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service Sunday, November 26 is entitled “For All That Is Our Life.” Rev. Matt Alspaugh is the speaker and Heidi MacLennan will be the service leader. The choir will sing.
A thread that runs through many of the world’s religions is a sense of gratitude for being alive in this world. How are we grateful for the gifts of our lives? This is our celebration Sunday, where we celebrate the conclusion of our pledge drive.
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. Questions? Call Fred at 766-1458.
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 go to lakechapalajewishcongregation.com.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Sunday, November 26, Wayne Cook returns to the pulpit and will read the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46 at Lakeside Presbyterian Church.
The church is located at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. Turn toward the lake at Mom’s Restaurant and it 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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
“To hear some people talk about Jesus, it’s as if he’s the Willy Wonka golden ticket out of Hell,” says Pastor Ken Armstrong. “Their version of the Gospel is to love Jesus because it’s a better deal and you get cool stuff. But what about loving him because he’s worthy and we’re grateful? Not about what we get, but simply about who he is?”
“In All Things” is the topic of conversation at Little Chapel Sunday, November 26. It is drawn from Matthew 6 and 1 Thessalonians 5.
Non-denominational Christian, English-language Sunday worship service is at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to stay for a friendly comida (church meal) after the service.
For more information, see the display ad in this section.
San Andres English
“Christ is a King on the model of the Homeric kings who called themselves ‘shepherds of the people.’ As a royal shepherd, he is leading us to the Kingdom of his Father.”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “Christ, the King,” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service on Sunday, November 26, 9 a.m.
San Andres is located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
Home Church Int’l
We base our allegiances and conduct on some principle or civil mandate. Pressure from somewhere forces our response. We act or react on a challenge to our beliefs, possessions, or rights. We may act or react to some moral or immoral issue, depending on how we may benefit or be harmed. Something will be our basis for deciding to be an adherent to an issue. Our value system has a foundation of something or from somewhere. Dare we think we can just float through life unchallenged or never taking a stand?
And what if confronted with moral or spiritual issues? What is the guide which affects our being either for the good or for the bad? If just drifting or ignorant, we won’t like the outcome. The only guidebook authored by the Eternal God Jehovah is the Bible, with particular emphasis on the New Covenant. Authority also rests in our hands. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen affirm that as born-again believers, we have the power to overcome any challenge conflicting with God’s will and Word. This includes personal confrontations, and much more. Learn more from the pastors by calling (332) 242-8648, or by email at 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..
HU Chant
Chanting HU, an ancient name for the Divine while in a contemplative state is a simple technique to open your heart to greater happiness, love, inner peace and understanding. Join in Saturday, December 2, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living located at Nicholas Bravo 17, Ajijic, for a short (30-minute) group HU Chant followed by refreshments and fellowship time. For more information contact Hallie Shepherd at 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.. Sponsored by Eckankar, Mexico.
CANADIAN LEGION INSTALLS CHAPLAIN
Ken Armstrong, pastor of Little Chapel by the Lake, was installed as chaplain of the Royal Canadian Legion - Chapala Branch #182 on Monday, November 20, by John Kelly and Bob Steadman. Armstrong has the distinction of being a former U.S. military officer serving in the Canadian Legion. He was admitted as a regular member by virtue of his service in the Bosnian War, as a NATO adviser subordinate in part to Canadian officers.