Lake Chapala Baptist
The old adage is, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Is that true?
Well, perhaps it’s true in a physical sense but it’s not true from an emotional perspective. The Bible is clear on the positive and negative capabilities of the human tongue. It’s likened to a sharp sword, a piercing arrow, the poison of a snake and a raging fire. All of those things can be extremely destructive and attacking another person verbally is evil. Gossip and slander can destroy someone’s reputation. Abusive speech can inflict deep emotional pain on the recipient of a verbal attack. On the positive side the tongue of the wise brings healing, flows with wisdom, is as valuable as silver and can be used to praise God. Words can be beautiful and valuable when we speak wisely and righteously. Proverbs 21:23 says, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” Pause and consider the effect your words are going to have before you let them go.
Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m.
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.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
The Rev. Winston Welty will preside and preach on Sunday, September 16.
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.
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.
Decluttering? Clearing out your closet? Don’t forget our own resale shop, Todo Bueno. Every donation or consignment you make benefits the Outreach Ministry of St. Andrew’s and enables the parish to financially support a number of charities around Lakeside.
Todo Bueno is located on the highway, just west of S&S Auto in Riberas de Pilar, and is open from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday through Saturday.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Unitarian Universalists
At the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sunday, September 16, the topic is “Mexico’s Independence Day.”
Our Mexican neighbors gathered to hear the Cry of Dolores of Father Miguel Hidalgo, read from the center of every pueblo across Mexico, right up to the president’s palace in Mexico City. The towns are alive with Mexican flags, banners and fireworks as the people express their deep love for their country. Judy King will present, and Karyn Carpenter will be the service leader.
The Unitarians meet Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Hidalgo 261, on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the Catholic Church.
San Andrés Mass
“We worship the man Christ, who accepted every weakness of our human condition, renouncing himself and taking up the Cross.”
Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., will offer the homily “Christ, the Son of Man” at San Andrés Catholic Church’s service in English, Sunday, September 16, 9 a.m.
San Andrés is at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday, September 16, with the Holy Eucharist at the new time of 11 a.m. in the La Huerta Eventos Center. Fr. Jim Powers will preside and give a message “Decisions” based on Mark 8:27-38.
The Lunch Bunch will enjoy a potluck in the church following the refreshments and coffee after the service.
The Bible Study meets Tuesday, September 11, 1 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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.” Prayer, for many, still remands a sometimes difficult, awkward, and even mysterious endeavor. Sunday, September 16, 11 a.m., Pastor Jim Andrew revisits this essential part of every person’s life with tools to improve one’s communication with God. “Is the grass growing on your path?”
Join us for a friendly family comida directly following the morning service.”
The Little Chapel by the Lake is at Chapala-Ajijic Highway 10 in Chula Vista opposite Mirasol. Information: Belva, (376) 766-2538.
Little Chapel will present a sing-along Monday, September 17, 4 p.m. at Nursing Home Lake Chapala, Paseo del Lago 282 in Riberas del Pilar; and Wedsday, September 19, 4 p.m. at Casa Nostra assisted living care center, Santa Margarita 8 in Riberas del Pilar. Carpool from the Little Chapel at 3:30 p.m.
Abundant Life Church
What do you do if you can’t figure God out? There are times in our lives when God does not act as we want or tell us what we want to hear. When faced with certain things that don´t seem to make sense or are contrary to logic, we may think that we misunderstood God and do what appears best. Is that what we should do? Sunday, September 16, Pastor Gary reminds us of the biblical foundation of our lives as believers and encourages us to stay true to God regardless of the circumstances.
Abundant Life Church’s 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 bilingual 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.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Sunday, September 16, Dr. Wayne Cook will tell us how he searched for “Highway to Heaven” in his GPS; it responded “no results.” When he asks people how they plan to get to Heaven, they say they have tried to do good things, followed the Ten Commandments, or lived by Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In Galatians 3:21-25 Paul says none of those options work. How, then, do we get there?
Outreach News: We are proud to announce that La Zapotera Community Center and Water Project is now officially open and feeding breakfast to 100 children. After breakfast, miraculously, the children began to clear the dishes, put away tables and chairs, and lickety-split, the cleanup was done … all without being reminded or asked. Money may be scarce in La Zapotera, but there is no shortage of manners and politeness.
This little community has the terrible distinction of being second highest worldwide in the incidence of renal failure. We thank all those generous souls who made it possible to provide pure water and nutrition to La Zapotera’s inhabitants.
Interested in volunteering? Contact LPC’s office/administrator at (376) 106-0853.
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.
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. The Web site for Self Realization Fellowship is yogananda-srf.org.
Home Church Int’l
It’s amazing that we expend a lot of time, effort, and possibly money entertaining ourselves. I guess we could blame busy minds or boredom. And, what about experiencing something new? Anyway, things that please us seem to take priority. Possibly a caution should be recognized when entertainment tries to dominate most of our waking hours. For instance, TV and Internet. Some useful, some wasteful.
The spiritual realm confronts us with this issue. Let’s be honest enough to examine our true motives when being in church worship. We consider it quality time. Yet, in reality we are wanting to hear good music and a good message from the preacher. What if we directed our minds and spirits to reach out to our Lord, rather than seeking to be satisfied? In Hebrews 11 we find, “But without faith it is impossible to walk with God and please Him, for whoever comes near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that He rewards those who (earnestly and diligently} seek Him.” Pastors Paul and Susana Allen implore us to utilize faith in our worship times before Him. 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..
Riberas Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation: Two periods of quiet meditation and a guided Mindfulness Meditation video are offered 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. Call (376) 765-6976. Space is limited, so call first to confirm and to get directions.
The Lord’s Church
The Lord’s Church meets at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 131 in San Antonio Tlayacapan. 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.