Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe Palm Sunday, March 25, with the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. in the La Huerta Eventos Center (where the Tuesday Organic Market is held), Carretera West 522, West Ajijic. Vr. Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside and give a message “Hosanna” based on Mark 11:1-11.
The Lunch Bunch will meet at noon in Gosha’s Restaurant, Carretera Ote 24, between Bruno’s and Pollo Feliz, Ajijic, following the refreshments and coffee after the service.
The Bible Study will meet Tuesday, March 20, 2 p.m. at the home of Elizabeth Carroll at Galeana 35. All are welcome to learn about the wonderful inspired writings of the Bible.
Little Chapel by the Lake
“The Messiah wasn’t trapped or tricked,” says Pastor Ken. “Things would not be better if He had avoided crucifixion. It may seem to the observer that evil scores victories, but the truth is, it never triumphs. Jesus counted the cost before He even set in motion the creation He came to save. When He rode into Jerusalem, it was not into an ambush, but to execute the most beautifully crafted plan of all time.”
This Sunday’s conversation at Little Chapel is titled “The Choice.” It is drawn from Isaiah 53 and other passages.
Non-denominational Christian, English-language Sunday worship service is at 11 a.m. An informal hour of worship music, prayer, and open communion begins at 10 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 the chapel’s 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..
Lake Chapala Baptist
Says Brother Bob Hendrick: “Barney Fife said that it is important to be sure the backs of your shoes are well polished because that is the last thing someone sees of you. An article on how to make a good last impression in an interview recommends gathering your personal items in your left hand when leaving an interview to keep your right hand available for shaking hands as a way of saying ‘thank-you.’ The Bible often speaks of giving thanks as the antidote to sorrow, worry, or anxiety. That is why I like the handshake over the well shined heel counters. It says, ‘You made this possible,’ rather than, ‘It’s all about me, from start to finish.’ My left hand is full of mementos and memories of the past 17 years. My right hand is extended in thanks to God and to folks who have given us the opportunity to be part of ministry and the Lakeside expat life for nearly a score of years. The back of my boots … are hidden by 34-inch inseams of my Wranglers on my 30-inch legs.”
Sunday, March 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.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Holy Week begins at Lakeside Presbyterian with a Palm Sunday service lead by Pastor Wayne Cook, minister of Congregational Care, at 10 a.m. Sunday school for adults is at 8:30 a.m. and Creative Forum at 11:15 a.m., immediately following the service. Maundy Thursday, “A New Commandment I Give You”, John 13:34-35 will be presented by Gary Smith at 10 a.m. On Good Friday, 10 a.m., a Tenebrae service (service of silence) will be held. Most other activities will be suspended as the congregation focuses on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
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
Palm Sunday! What does that mean for you? Come and see what it means for us at Abundant Life Church as we praise the One who has entered our lives and learn how praising with palm branches is still relevant today. It´s a once a year experience that you will want to be a part of!
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).
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Shouting “Hosanna in the Highest” and then hearing “Crucify Him!” is always jarring, says Rev. Glenn Chalmers. We enter Holy Week waving leafy palms and then recall Jesus’s death on the cross, he says.
Join us for the Sunday that bears two names: Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. Our service of Holy Eucharist begins at 10 a.m. (There will be no Sunday School on Palm Sunday.)
Maundy Thursday service will be March 29, 5 p.m., and the Good Friday service is March 30, noon.
The Company of Gentlemen’s luncheon will be Wednesday, March 28, 12:30 p.m., at Ajijic Tango.
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.
Decluttering? Clearing out your closet? Please don’t forget St. Andrew’s resale shop, Todo Bueno. Every donation or consignment you make benefits the church’s Outreach Ministry. Bringing clothing, kitchenware, electronics, bric-a-brac, furniture, appliances, books, collectables, sports equipment, etc., to Todo Bueno enables the parish to financially support a number of Lakeside charities . Todo Bueno is located on the highway, next to S&S Auto in Riberas de Pilar, and is open from 10 am to 3 pm daily, except Sunday.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Unitarian Universalists
Visit the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sunday, March 25 to learn about an exciting new five-day secondary level school health program for girls (and one day for boys). “Days For Girls,” a program with worldwide recognition, is now at lakeside and you can help.
The key to its success is the leadership of a paid health educator and qualified volunteers from both Mexico and north of the border, making a meaningful collaboration that benefits everybody. This not only connects expat and local volunteers, but builds trust with the girls to help them through difficulties that they may be keeping hidden.
The presentation, titled “Connection Equals Transformation,” will include a video of a recent Days For Girls program at Lakeside. It shows this is also a fun program. It provides each girl with a reusable menstrual kit packed in a colorful bag to be carried home with pride. It gives the boys an appreciation of womanhood and the role of a responsible male.
Service Leaders are Myra Williams, Janice Kimball and Catherine Luria.
There will be a “Hasta Luego” gathering at the Fellowship after this service for recent past president Fred Harland and pianist Mardele Harland, who are returning to Canada for a few months.
The Unitarians meet Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Hidalgo 261, on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the Catholic Church. Join them for coffee at 10 a.m., prior to the service. Open minds, willing hearts, welcoming fellowship – all are invited.
San Andres English
“On this day the Church celebrates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his pastoral ministry.”
Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min. will offer the homily “The Good News of the Covenant” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service Palm Sunday, March 25, 9 a.m.
The Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated in English in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary on the Ajijic Plaza, Good Friday, March 30, 3 p.m. This will include the reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John, the Solemn Intercessions, the Veneration of the Holy Cross, Holy Communion, and the Departure in Silence to await the Glory of the Resurrection.
On Holy Saturday, March 31, the Church waits at the Lord’s tomb in prayer and fasting, meditating on the Passion and Death and on his Descent into Hell, and awaiting his Resurrection. The Church abstains from the Sacrifice of the Mass, with the sacred table left bare, until after the solemn Vigil, that is, the anticipation by night of the Resurrection, when the time comes for paschal joys, the abundance of which overflows to occupy 50 days.
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
How many times have you heard, “You just can’t live without hope.” Many have experienced depressing times when hope seems to have disappeared. It also can refer to minor issues, or major ones. Often it is triggered by loss of a loved one, or even a job. The list goes on. The dictionary says hope is a feeling of desire, a wish, an aim, goal or plan. Looking forward to positive experiences is a real motivator of hope. However, usually these issues are based on emotional or material fulfillment. This is a prescription for potential disappointment.
We need to re-focus our expectations. Our focus needs to be on that which is fundamentally secure. Where can we turn so that we are not victims to loss of hope? The Bible calls hope “expectation, confidence and faith.” In the Bible we see, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him ...” Pastors Paul and Susana Allen encourage you to center your hope in God, your Creator and Sustainer. To learn more,contact them at (332) 242-8648, 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..">.
Lake Chapala Baptist Church minister and wife retire
Sunday, April 1 will be a very special day at Lake Chapala Baptist Church (LCBC). Not only will it be the most important day in the Christian year – the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ which separates Christians from the rest of religions in the world – but it will also be the last time the congregation will hear their minister, Brother Bob Hendrick preach to them. He and his wife, Judy, are retiring and moving back to Texas after 15 years of service.
Brother Bob is a powerful Christ-centered preacher, always preaching with a Bible in his hand which he refers to during the message. He always ends with God’s plan of salvation which is the key to anyone who wants to go to Heaven. Both Bob and Judy are very talented. Judy has played the piano for Lake Chapala Baptist almost every Sunday during Bob’s ministry. They are both known for their musical talent outside LCBC. Judy has performed with Los Cantantes and both of them have taken part in theater productions at lakeside. What many people do not know is that Brother Bob can fix anything and has at LCBC. The congregation will remember a special act of kindness he has shown to each one of them. The Hendricks’ love of Jesus has attracted retired ministers and missionaries to the congregation, and they too have blessed the church as leaders of Sunday school classes and Bible studies. The faith of all the members of the church has grown under the Hendrick ministry. And yes, the congregation will miss them very, very much. But they have learned that they serve a great God and He will provide them with another Spirit-filled pastor and wife.