Lake Chapala Baptist
Says Brother Bob Hendrick: “’When President Roosevelt declared we needed 50,000 planes for national defense, an authority said the problem was to supply ground crews.
‘We all want to fly, but few of us want to tighten bolts. Yet without men to build and repair planes and men to bring fuel, the flyer is as earthbound as they, and it isn’t important whether we have 50,000 pilots or five,’ wrote playwright Channing Pollock. There is much misunderstanding about what is a position of importance. There are truly no more important hands than those that rock a cradle or hold a hammer or a hoe. The one called to be a preacher is no more important to the Kingdom of God than the one called to be a plumber. King David’s mighty men were mighty in battle, but they were also mighty in service, even carrying water (2 Samuel 23:16).”
Sunday, February 25, 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.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
“Today’s Gospel is Jesus’ call to take up the cross and follow him. That call to take up the cross has been interpreted differently through the centuries, in ways which include everything from a call to actual martyrdom to some kind of suffering laid upon us in our daily lives. But perhaps it is, instead, a call to a more joyful, chosen and life-giving way of living than we could ever imagine,” says Mother Liza Spangler.
Sunday, 25 February, St. Andrew’s service of Holy Eucharist begins Sunday, 10 a.m. and bilingual Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. Coffee hour, a time of fellowship and welcome, follows the service.
The Company of Gentlemen’s lunch is at noon, Wednesday, February 28, at The Brew House in West Ajijic.
Sunday, March 11, after services, a potluck will be held to welcome our new rector, Rev. Glenn Burr Chalmers. Sign-up in the garden on Sunday, February 25 or Sunday, March 4. Guests are asked to bring a main dish or salad.
Every Sunday, the feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes 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.
Every donation or consignment you make to Todo Bueno resale shop benefits the Outreach Ministry of St. Andrew’s, which financially supports many 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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Says Pastor Ken: “One thing most ancient people had in common: Whether traveling on foot, by camel, by cart or by boat, they all knew that to arrive at their destination, they must navigate by setting their sights on a fixed object.”
This Sunday’s conversation at Little Chapel, titled “North Star,” is about how Christians navigate the enormous challenges of today’s world.
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 a dog-friendly congregation, to allow for those who need to keep their fur friends close. For a copy of their canine etiquette, email Little Chapel 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..
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Lakeside Presbyterian
Sunday, February 25, Pastor Ross Arnold continues his sermon series with the Parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus tells in Luke 10. In modern times, the term “Good Samaritan” has come to mean someone who is generous and giving. But we’ve lost the meaning that was behind the original story. To the Jews who heard Jesus talk of a Samaritan would have brought up every negative feeling possible, as the Jews hated all Samaritans, considering them to be heretics and worse. But Jesus chose to use a Samaritan as the ideal example of how the Jews should act towards strangers and people in need. Who are our “Samaritans” today? Who do we reject and revile, and how can we justify such feeling in the face of Jesus’ teaching?
A local optometrist will provide a free eye clinic Tuesday, February 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church. Beginning in March, blood pressure and glucose screenings will begin on a continuing basis as part of the congregational care outreach. The exact time and dates will be posted here next week. These bilingual screening activities are open to the community.
Adult Sunday School continues at 8:30 a.m., discussing the lectionary for this week. At Creative Forum, beginning 11:15 a.m., any questions related to the sermon or the church or our beliefs may be discussed.
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.
Abundant Life Church
Do you want to be a highly productive person? The answer is determined by the size of the project that you want to accomplish. If you have little to do each day you may not need to be very “Productive.” As believers, we have been tasked with a project that is larger than we could ever imagine: Bringing the gospel to the world. God wants us to be productive in this task, but how? Come this Sunday, February 25, to get some keys that will help you fulfill your purpose and be a highly productive Christian.
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).
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the second Sunday of Lent, February 25, with the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m. in the Little Chapel by the Lake. Vicar Danny Borkowski will preside and Deacon Jim Powers will give a message “Decisions, Decisions,” based on Mark 8:31-38.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at 11 a.m. in Min Wah Restaurant in honor of the “Year of the Dog,” (376) 766-0686, located at Tepalo 96 in Ajijic.
The Bible Study will meet Tuesday, February 27, 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to learn about the book of James.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located at Carretera 10, in Chula Vista.
Unitarian Universalists
Sunday, February 25, Karyn Carpenter discusses “Rethinking Travel” at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meeting. Donna Burroughs is the service leader.
Carpenter will explore unusual ways to enrich your travel experiences, including the international peace and hosting organization Servas. The topic will be examined on a photographic backdrop of the island of Sicily.
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.
San Andres English
“Abraham was prepared to give God his only son, Isaac, in sacrifice. God wanted to do no less. ‘This is my Son, the beloved,’ God says to us. ‘Listen to him.’”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “God’s Gift to us: His Son” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service Sunday, February 25, 9 a.m.
San Andres is located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
Jewish Congregation
The Jewish festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (this year February 28). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from prime minister Haman’s plot “to annihilate all the Jews in a single day,” as recorded in the Book of Esther, also known as the Megillah.
Queen Esther revealed her Jewish identity and her cousin Mordechai organized the Jews. Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree granted the Jews the right to defend themselves. They killed Haman’s men on the 13th of Adar and on the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated.
Today it is customary for children (and adults, if they desire) to dress up in costumes and eat a traditional food called hamantaschen, a three-cornered pastry filled with a sweet filling. It is also customary to give money gifts to at least two poor people.
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
Most Christians have heard preachers or regular believers say something like, “You need God so you can have eternal life.” Sounds good, but it needs some refinement. This would infer that one becomes an eternal being at the point of salvation. Something is missing. In Luke 18, we read of a ruler who questioned Jesus about inheriting eternal life. Inheritance basically means to receive what one has left you in their passing. He desired to grasp the rules to follow, thus place him in a good position to receive eternal life. This hints of personal effort, or works.
Jesus’ mother, Mary, was with child by God’s Holy Spirit. This unique event affirms that Jesus was already eternally one with His Father. Yet, as totally natural persons, we have the need once we are born to have our eternal human spirit become secure with the eternal God. So, we are already eternal spirits, needing the second birth. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen remind us that Jesus affirmed this when He said, “Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again.” 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, March 3, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living located at 17 Nicholas Bravo, 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.
A Celebration of Life
Richard Francis Anthony Warmowski, 86, a long-time lakeside resident celebrated for his dedicated volunteer work since the late 1990s with the Lake Chapala Society’s Children’s Art program, passed away last month. A celebration of his life will be held at the Lake Chapala Society Saturday, February 24, 11 a.m. on the Neill James Patio. His wife Arlene and daughter Lorraine from Chicago will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served.