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.
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 the Epiphany, the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sunday, January 7, with the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake. Reverend Robbin Del Nagro will preside, and Deacon Jim Powers will give the message “The Voice, the Man and the Dove” based on Mark 1:4-11
The Lunch Bunch will meet at 11 a.m. at Pranzo Restaurant, located on the Carretera in La Floresta.
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
Back from a cold and a battle with heavy congestion, Pastor Ross Arnold will return to the pulpit this week to tell the story of two godly people, Simeon and Ann, whose faith is rewarded when they see the Baby Jesus. The sermon is based on Luke’s Gospel in Chapter 2.
Also, beginning Saturday, January 6, 10 a.m. to noon, the first of two member classes will begin. The classes cover and explain the beliefs and covenants of Lakeside Presbyterian. The classes are open to the community and joining the fellowship as members is optional.
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.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is located at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. 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, this Sunday, January 7, is the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, which reminds us of at least two things. The first is that Jesus came among us to share our lives, even if it meant standing knee deep in a dirty river with a bunch of sinners to be baptized by John. And second, through our individual baptisms, we are set on our own journey of growth into Christ. Or, as the preacher Susan Andrews has succinctly summarized: “Jesus came to be like us so we could grow to be like him.”
St. Andrew’s service of Holy Eucharist begins Sunday, 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. This Sunday, there will be several baptisms.
The Book Club will meet in the parish office at Monday, January 8, 10:30 a.m. to discuss Echo Burning, by Lee Childs. The monthly men’s breakfast, hosted by The Company of Gentlemen, will be in the parish kitchen Wednesday, January 10, 8:30 a.m.
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.
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: “I often tell folks at a memorial service or funeral that memories of loved ones are a gift from God. I have also been known to say, on other occasions, that a short memory is a gift of God. (Just ask a politician who is being investigated.) Truly, the only way to keep memories alive is to rehearse them. That is worthwhile for memories that build up or console. But too often the things we try to keep fresh in our minds are the offences we have suffered ... or the failures we have experienced. 2018 is destined to be a year to remember. Some years past, at least some details, are worth intentionally forgetting. Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, is credited with saying, when reminded of a vicious verbal attack by an opponent, ‘I distinctly remember forgetting that.’ 2018 may be the year to remember to forget.”
Sunday, January 7, 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.
Unitarian Universalists
Rev Matt Alspaugh’s sermon Sunday, January 7, is titled “Margaret Fuller, American Unitarian Renaissance Woman.” Susan Miller is the Service Leader.
Fuller was one of the founding voices of the Transcendentalist movement, as well as an author, radical and a foreign correspondent. We’ll explore her amazing life.
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 (376) 766-1458.
Little Chapel by the Lake
“The fireworks have slowed down a bit,” says Pastor Ken. “Whether 2018 entered for you with a whimper, a roar, or a snore, it’s here. One more lap around the sun, please Jeeves!”
“With all the conflict and challenges in the world, many people view the passage of time as a system rigged to defeat and disappoint them,” he says. “But in truth, the game is rigged to give us the condition we choose, including incredible joy, no matter what the circumstances are in the world around us.”
Pastor Ken says, “Little Chapel’s January series, ‘Thy Kingdom Come,’ will help you to find joy that isn’t dictated by your circumstances, and that can never be stolen from you.”
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.
Abundant Life Church
Have you seen the glory of God? Was His glory most on display at creation or perhaps when Moses asked to see God’s glory or was it in the resurrection of Jesus? Many believers long to see the majesty of God’s glory, but can’t seem to get a clear image. Come Sunday, January 7, as God has promised to show his glory for all to see and experience. The entire day will be dedicated to the glory of God.
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).
San Andres English
“We join all the people of the world in worshipping the infant King of the Jews.”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “The Revelation of Christ to the World,” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service Sunday, January 7, 9 a.m.
The San Andres English congregation holds a “First Sunday of the Month Food Drive” to help support the children at Villa Infantil orphanage in Jocotepec and the sisters who care for them. Consider bringing a non-perishable food item, toilet tissue, cleaning products, and the like to Sunday’s Liturgy.
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
Traditions can be found in virtually every culture on earth. Most have been around quite a while. Often those who recognize and acknowledge them find some sense of comfort because of their continuity. Yes, when examined, they can be good or wholesome, and some are questionable or less than admirable. This is because others may well be affected by them. Some traditions are valuable, and some could easily be a waste of time. This is because of their impact on practitioners and outsiders. For instance, exercising a tradition because it provides an expected opportunity to get drunk hardly gets a vote of admiration.
Often New Year’s becomes one of these. Christmas always shows traditional repetitions, some good and some not. Easter is no different. It should be observed for what it is, the celebration of the risen Christ! Dare we degrade it as a time for bunnies and eggs, or a fashion completion? Pastors Paul and Susana Allen urge all to examine our traditions to grade what they reveal, and what they say about us and our witness. Contact the pastors for more information at (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..