Abundant Life Church
Asks Pastor Gary Neighbor: “Is believing just about faith or is there proof involved?
As we turn our eyes toward 2018, you may be asking yourself if there is anything about the church that should be involved in your life. We invite you to come this Sunday, December 31, to find out. The church, the Bible and even Jesus himself, are not designed for the religious or the elite. God designed them because He wants a relationship with you. This Sunday we will look into the proof that can be seen by everyone who chooses to look in an honest way.”
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.
The Church is located at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from Super Lake. For more information, call 331-417-7038 (cel).
Unitarian Universalists
On Sunday, December 31, Linda Conklin leads a special participatory service, “Two Minutes to Run,” at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
We all have possessions that are very important to us. If you only had two minutes to pack and run to safety, what is so important that you can’t leave it behind?
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 Matt at (376) 765-5149.
Little Chapel by the Lake
“In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist, but there will be Rollerball!”
Says Pastor Ken Armstrong: “In 1975, when I was assistant manager of the Eastland Theatre in West Covina, California, I recorded that announcement on our movie schedule phone message. What makes that relevant? ‘Rollerball’ was set in 2018. And to tell you the truth, it was about as accurate as some ‘prophecies’ in the church.”
“I believe in the gifts of the Spirit,” says Pastor Ken. “But we have to be careful that we’re listening to God and not just speaking up to get attention. What’s going to happen to you in 2018? Are we racing toward Armageddon or a period of sublime peace and prosperity? Join us on New Year’s Eve, as we reveal some truths about the coming year.”
That’s the topic of Pastor Ken’s conversation, “New Year’s Predictions,” at Little Chapel on Sunday, December 31. It is drawn from Matthew, 2 Thessalonians, and prophetic books of the Old Testament.
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.
Little Chapel is also open Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. for silent prayer and worship in the sanctuary and memorial prayer garden. Communion, prayer, and anointing are available. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, see the display ad in this section.
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the first Sunday after Christmas Day, December 31, with the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake. Vicar Danny Borkowski will preside and give the message “Knowing God” based on John 1:1-18.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at 11 a.m. in Roberto’s Restaurant, located on the Carretera (Calle Poniente 35) in Ajijic.
The Bible Study will not meet during the month of January. It will resume on February 6.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located at Carretera 10, in Chula Vista.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Pastor Ross Arnold’s sermon for the final Sunday in December is titled “Consolation,” based on Luke 2. “Towards the end of the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel we read the story of two godly people – Simeon and Anna – whose faith is rewarded when they see the Baby Jesus,” Pastor Ross says. “What can we learn from these two great saints of God, to help us realize the importance of the birth of Jesus and the consolation He brought into the world?”
Adult Sunday School begins at 8:30 a.m. discussing the lectionary for the current Sunday followed by the English-language service at 10 a.m. and the creative forum at 11:15 a.m., which is an open discussion about the church, its beliefs and activities.
New member classes will begin in January with time and date to be announced early next month.
Lakeside Presbyterian 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.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
In our tradition, the Sunday following Christmas is the magnificent prologue from St. John’s Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word …” As we all know, words matter. What we say and how we say it can have a profound impact on others, says Mother Liza Spangler.
Jesus Christ is God’s Word to us. That fact that God has spoken to us through his Son, Jesus Christ, and what he has communicated in and through that Word, can change both our image of God and our lives, she says.
St. Andrew’s service of Holy Eucharist begins December 31 at 10 a.m. and the bilingual Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. Coffee hour, a time of fellowship and welcome, follows the service.
And every Sunday, the feeding program 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.
Please remember that whenever you wish to recycle something, anything, don’t forget St. Andrew’s resale shop, Todo Bueno. Every donation or consignment you make benefits the Outreach Ministry of St. Andrew’s. Be it clothing, kitchenware, electronics, bric-a-brac, furniture, appliances, books, DVDs, collectables, sports equipment, etc., bringing it to Todo Bueno enables the parish to financially support various Lakeside charities. Todo Bueno is located on the highway, next to S&S Auto in Riberas de Pilar, and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, except Sunday.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Lake Chapala Baptist
Says Brother Bob Hendrick: “My first involvement in a marathon was as a windbreak for my brother-in- law. On his first marathon, he asked me to meet him at the 20-mile mark and run the last 10K in front of him. I was honored to do that. Here we are again at the beginning of a year. Speaking of marathons, some people handle seasons of abnormal stress as a marathon — just keep plugging ... never quit. I usually approach stressful times as a series of sprints, separated by times of full rest. But here is a thought for this year; how about being a windbreak for someone in your circle who is working through a ‘marathon of stress’? And if you are a marathoner type; how about allowing someone the honor of being a ‘windbreak’ for you when the going gets tough? The Apostle Paul told us to bear one another’s burdens. For that ‘one another’ thing to happen, we will also have to allow our burden to be born by another.”
Sunday, December 31, 11 a.m., Brother Bob will give the sermon at the worship service of the Lake Chapala Baptist Church, located at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar.
San Andres English
“We celebrate that Holy Family of Nazareth which is the model for all who fear the Lord and walk in God’s ways.”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “The Holy Family,” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service on Sunday, December 31, 9 a.m.
Fr. Basil and the administration of the San Andres English Mass Community wish you all God’s richest blessings for 2018.
San Andres is located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
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.
Home Church Int’l
Our sense of being is often a result of our focus. The information, philosophy, guidelines and data we absorb will emerge usually positively or negatively. So, as we anticipate this new year, our response is usually due to where we put our trust, and how we prepare ourselves.
With the world in such an unbelievable mess, we know this does indeed affect us on this small planet. We all want to feel secure, but the TV, internet and printed media won’t leave us alone. Jesus spoke directly to this in His Sermon on the Mount. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” With this version, we get some idea of His intent. Yet, another more modern version makes it clearer. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever things come up when the time comes.” Pastors Paul and Susana Allen say the answer is the previous verse about seeking God’s Kingdom first in life. Learn more by contacting 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..
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, January 6, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living located at 17 Nicholas Bravo in 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.