Weekly Worship - August 25, 2018

Little Chapel by the Lake

Throughout Western history power has been a far more potent narcotic than the multitude of physical means that humans have used to get high.

Power feeds on itself. It is never satisfied. It is almost never relinquished voluntarily. Maybe its ugliest misuse has been in the church. Nothing is as devastating as to be abused by a church leader, the very person that represents what God is supposed to be like. Thankfully, radically, Jesus shows us a different type of use of power. Power to serve, not to be served. “Have this mind-set that Jesus Himself had” says Paul in his letter to the Philippians: “… who did not regard His high status as equal with God something to grip tightly in his hand and defend at all costs, but rather gave it all away in order to love us better.”

Sunday, August 26, 11 a.m., Little Chapel by the Lake Pastor Jim Andrew presents an astonishing portrait of a heavenly King who left his throne in glory to serve people like you and me.

Join the Little Chapel for a friendly family “comida” directly following the morning service.

Wednesday, August 29, 5:30 p.m., Little Chapel will show the second in a two-video series, “Creation Proclaims.”

Friday, August 31, the film “Polycarp” will be shown at 4:30  and 6:30 p.m. at the Little Chapel.  The film is about a young slave girl who is rescued by Christians in 2nd century Smyrna and who struggles to reconcile her beliefs with those of the Christians.

The Little Chapel by the Lake is at Chapala-Ajijic Highway 10 in Chula Vista opposite Mirasol. Information: (376) 766-2538. 

Christ Church Lakeside

Christ Church Lakeside, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday, August 26, with the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. in the La Huerta Eventos Center. Fr. Jim Powers will preside and Fr. Danny Borkowski will give a message, “Spirit and Life,” based on John 6:56-69.

The Lunch Bunch will meet at noon and dine at Min Wah restaurant, Tepalo 96 in Ajijic, following the refreshments and coffee after the service.

Beginning Sunday, September 2, Christ Church Lakeside’s worship service will begin at 11 a.m.

The Bible Study meets Tuesday, August 28, 2 p.m., in the home of Elizabeth Carroll, at Galeana 35 in Ajijic. All are welcome to learn about and discuss the inspired contents of the Bible.

Unitarian Universalists

At the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sunday, August 26, Catherine Luria will lead a singing circle service. We will sing the songs of our lives and hearts. 

The Unitarians meet Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Hidalgo 261, on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the Catholic Church.

San Andrés

“Today, we celebrate the marriage feast of Christ with his Church. We consciously choose him who is the Holy One of God.”

Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., will offer the homily “The Holy One of God” at San Andrés Catholic Church’s English service, Sunday, August 26, 9 a.m.

San Andrés is at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.

Lakeside Presbyterian

Sunday, August 26, Dr. Wayne Cook’s sermon speaks of godly love.

Dr. Cook draws his text from 1 Corinthians 13:7. A godly love is not fickle; it is constant. Four times in one verse, Paul describes God’s unwavering love as being there always – “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Most of us have experienced – or witnessed  – a human love gone wrong, a deep and passionate relationship ended, followed by emotional devastation. Human loves can be intense, but fleeting, and even fame and fortune cannot compensate. On the other hand, God’s love never falters, He is constant and loving in His care for us.

Outreach News: Movie Night is Thursday, August 30, 6 p.m. Popcorn included in the (free) price of admission. Free blood pressure checks Sunday, September 2, 11:15 a.m. Lakeside Presbyterian volunteers continue to distribute food, clothing and necessities of life weekly to those who, through no fault of their own, are unable to tend to their own needs.

Lakeside Presbyterian Church, San Jorge 250, Riberas del Pilar. English services, Sunday, 10 a.m., Spanish services, 9 a.m. Sunday School for Adults, 8:30 a.m. in the Library. Fridays, Bible Study at 9:45 a.m. in the Library.

St. Andrew’s Anglican

Rev. Winston Welty will preside and preach on Sunday, August 26.

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 luncheon will be Wednesday, August 29, noon, at Southern Sisters, in West Ajijic.

Every Sunday, Operation Feed, the 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, lentils, garbanzos, oats, oil and salt. The parish distributes the donations to Lakeside’s neediest families.

Every donation or consignment you make to the Todo Bueno resale shop benefits the Outreach Ministry, enabling the parish to support a number of charities around Lakeside. Todo Bueno is on the highway just west of S&S Auto in Riberas de Pilar, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.

Abundant Life

Abundant Life Church is affiliated with Assemblies of God of Mexico and has services for everyone. A worship service in English is held Sundays, 10 a.m., and Bible Study Wednesdays, 3 p.m. Spanish-language services are Sunday at noon. Spanish Bible studies are Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. A children’s ministry is held Saturday, noon, and bi-lingual youth meet Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month.

The church is at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from Super Lake. Information: 331-417-7038.

Lake Chapala Baptist

The images people have of Jesus Christ are many. Some people see Him as a baby in a manger. Their image of Christ is the Christmas image. Some see Him as a child, with Joseph in the carpenter’s shop. Others see Him as a gentle, loving teacher or a compassionate, powerful healer. Some see Him as a courageous preacher who spoke the Word of God. All of those images are true of Him and all of them are images that are instructive. But there is an image of Christ that surpasses all of those and is the true perspective on Christ and the one most necessary. That perspective of the person and work of Jesus Christ is found in viewing Him as the suffering Savior on the cross. His sacrificial death paid sin’s penalty, and then He arose from the grave, never to die again. Now He desires an intimate relationship with each of us, so it’s vital that we establish that relationship and enjoy life with Christ.

Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. 

Home Church Int’l

Most of us recall many years ago when a man in Los Angeles upon being arrested said, “Can’t we all just get along?” Violence is a universal period of hate and vengeance. There is little sanity, integrity, and caring. Usually what we hear is the selfish and greedy outburst, “I got my rights!” That usually comes with denying other people theirs.

The main contributing issue here is called legalism. It is the enforcement  of civil laws or the forced compliance of rebellious rules. Believe it or not, it can be seen in the faith arena. The Bible standard takes a back seat. And then, there is just plain old pagan abuse. Good temporary examples are the Pakistani lady, Asia Bibi, who is facing a death sentence for offering a Muslim a glass of water. And then, there’s pastor Brunson in Turkey, jailed for over two years for the “Christianization” of Turkish society. The prevailing “laws” are demanding such punishments. Pagan legalism! Where is any heart? Those who belong to Jesus know and live the difference.

Pastors Paul and Susana Allen urge Christ-filled living, not bound by legalism. Information: (332) 242-8648, 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..

The Lord’s Church

“Most of the time,” says Pastor Ken, “rather than snatch His people from facing a terrible challenge, He walks through it with us. That is His promise to us, and how we learn to draw closer to Him.”

In this Sunday’s message, “Shepherd’s Walk,” Pastor Ken will examine the intimate promises of Psalm 23 and related passages.

The Lord’s Church meets at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 131 in San Antonio Tlayacapan. (Look for the “No. 131” sign, across from the Corona castle.)

Sundays, 10 a.m., enjoy praise music by Redeemed, followed at 11 a.m. by TLC’s “Extraordinary Service,” including worship, praise, communion and this week’s conversation.

The Lord’s Church is a non-denominational Christian congregation following a biblical model of church leadership.

Information: 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..

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 at Santa Margarita 113, Riberas del Pilar (mountain side of the Carretera, diagonally across from Mom’s Restaurant). Contact (376) 766-2668 or lakechapalajewishcongregation.com.

Riberas Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation: Two periods of quiet meditation and a guided Mindfulness Meditation video Tuesdays 3-4:15 p.m. This is for anyone who wants to practice Mindfulness Meditation, beginner to advanced.

Ramana Maharshi Satsang: Listen to current-day teachers of non-duality, then a period to practice self-inquiry, Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m. 

No cost. Free books provided for both groups.

Hosted by Richard Clarke and Carol Johnson. San Luis 73, Riberas del Pilar. (376) 765-6976. Space is limited, so call first to confirm and to get directions.

Meditation Circle

The Chapala Meditation Circle of Self Realization Fellowship holds meditation services Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Paramahansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” founded Self Realization Fellowship in 1920 to make available the universal teachings of Kriya Yoga, a sacred spiritual science originating millennia ago in India. These teachings embody a complete philosophy and way of life for achieving all-round success and wellbeing, as well as methods of meditation for achieving life’s ultimate goal – union of the soul with God.

Information about the meditation service: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 333-598-7577. Web site for Self Realization Fellowship: yogananda-srf.org.

TLC Bikers Church

TLC Bikers Church was founded for bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts and others who want to know more about God, but don’t exactly feel comfortable walking into a traditional church.

TLC Bikers Church meets Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at the Iron Horse Saloon & Garage in Riberas del Pilar (on the Carretera, next to ORMA Auto Parts). Information: 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, September 1, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living at 17 Nicholas Bravo, Ajijic, for a 30-minute group HU Chant followed by refreshments and fellowship time. Information: Hallie Shepherd, 766-1047, 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.