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
Sunday, September 30, the Rev. Winston Welty will preside and preach.
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 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.
Unitarian Universalists
At the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (LCUUF) Sunday, September 30, the topic is “Labels; An Easy Way Out, And A Destroyer of Creativity.”
When we divide people into the scientist or artist, right brained or left, empathetic or judgmental, we simplify our search for truth. In this service we will look at creativity and some of the simplistic labels that limit our ability to be truly creative. Trudy Crippen will give the sermon. Susan Miller will be the service leader.
During the service, the congregation will listen to violist Juan Pablo Medeles Cordova, who is pursuing a career in music at the University of Guadalajara. His aim is to expand his knowledge and move into composing, directing and teaching. The lakeside community has watched this young man grow and been entertained as he plays regularly in the area to fund his extra private lessons in Guadalajara.
The LCUUF has sponsored Medeles through shared baskets this summer, collecting almost enough to cover three semesters at the university. A 400-peso shortfall should be easy to make up this Sunday.
The Unitarians meet Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Hidalgo 261, on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the Catholic Church.
Abundant Life Church
If the Son sets you free you are free indeed (John 8:36). This is a biblical truth but there is also a truth that many believers have yet to experience this freedom. If a believer can feel that way, imagine how the unbeliever feels. Jesus wants to set us all free! If you feel defeated and constantly hear that all too familiar condemning voice, come Sunday, September 30, to let God speak to your heart and heal your past. You can be free in Jesus and that freedom will swell to incredible joy and thankfulness.
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.
Lake Chapala Baptist
Grammar isn’t taught today the way it used to be and that’s a shame because we’re losing the brilliance and stimulation of good writing and intelligent speech.
I read a Bible verse today that illustrates this very thing. Religious leaders were gathered around the cross as Jesus was being crucified. They mocked Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” And then they said something very ironic, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.” They had no idea how true that statement was.
Did Jesus have the power to come down from the cross? Sure. But, He would have been a failure. He came into the world to save sinners. He accomplished that by paying the price for the sins of the world through dying on the cross and being resurrected. Grammatically we call the statement made by those religious leaders irony. He couldn’t save Himself and still save others so He paid the ultimate price and rose again in victory. What a Savior!
Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside, a mission of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday, September 30, with the Holy Eucharist at the new time of 11 a.m. in La Huerta Eventos Center. Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside and give a message, “Openness,” based on Mark 9: 38 – 50.
The Lunch Bunch meets at 12:45 p.m. and dines in Gosha’s Restaurant Carretera Ote. 24 in Ajijic, (376) 766-2121, following the refreshments and coffee after the service.
The Bible Study is cancelled this week.
Christ Church Lakeside will hold a Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 6, at Yves’ Restaurant starting at 2:30 p.m. All animals and their owners are welcome.
The Lakeside Singers will meet at Ohana’s assisted living center in San Juan Cosala, Wednesday, October 3, 4:30 p.m.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Sunday, September 30, Dr. Wayne Cook speaks about innocence. Bill Cosby, once known as “America’s Dad,” hid dark secrets in his past. Eventually, the world learned shocking news. He was arrested, tried and judged guilty of drugging and molesting a former female basketball player. Countless other women claim he assaulted them also. A hearing has determined a sentence of 3-10 years.
The Bible repeatedly tells of another judgment, when we stand before God to account for our lives. We have no defense, so having the right lawyer is imperative.
Outreach News: LPC is pleased to announce the resumption of English as Second Language (ESL) classes every Saturday, 10 a.m., as well as computer classes and sewing. Please inform your Spanish-speaking associates. La Zapotera Community Centre feeds 100 students breakfast every morning; we believe school grades will improve when students are better fed. Their bazaar is operating and classes in various crafts are established. LPC still urgently needs clothing in good condition, particularly shoes for children.
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.
San Andrés Mass
“We praise God for all his prophets: men and women of every nation and creed and of every time who have resisted evil and manifested the Spirit in their lives.”
Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., will offer the homily “God’s spirit in the world.” at San Andrés Catholic Church’s service in English, Sunday, September 30, 9 a.m.
San Andrés is at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
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.
The Buddha’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness, a free, 13-week course runs October 24-January 16, 1-2:30 p.m. Mindfulness is the easiest way to start meditation and stick with it. This course gives you what you need to get started with Mindfulness, and as you progress to deeper meditation.
Hosted by Richard Clarke and Carol Johnson. San Luis 73, Riberas del Pilar. Call (376) 765-6976.
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
One of the most valuable assets in life is the ability to read. It can merely be entertaining or a thrust at educating oneself. Or, it could be the preparation for confronting a person or issue and possibly just a preparation for defense. These and more open a new world for the committed reader. The serious reader who frequents a library can quickly recognize a diligent researcher with books spread out. Everything could be beneficial, though reality reveals that some is detrimental to the security and wholeness of the reader.
This is not limited to generalities. It easily points to the deeper things of life. Consider a person or family heading towards the church house with one or more Bibles under their arms. Are they avid readers and really committed? Maybe they just think it’s the proper thing to do. Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them.” That book conveys the word of life. It will feed the soul and spirit. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen are encouraging all to eagerly feed upon it to solidify their soul and spirit in the Lord.
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
Pastor Ken reminds us that the great Yogi Berra once famously said, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
“Thankfully,” says Pastor Ken, “he wasn’t talking about The Lord’s Church in San Antonio Tlayacapan. If you’ve heard that we are blessed with growth, it’s true. People are discovering that ‘a brand new, very ancient thing’ is happening here. But don’t worry. We still have room to grow without knocking out walls and we’re already discussing ways of very comfortably accommodating even more people. If you haven’t joined us in a while (or ever), I think you will be very pleasantly surprised. We used to say ‘Let God drive the bus,’ but these days it’s more like ‘fly the rocket ship’ ... the sky is no limit!
“Join us for live music from Redeemed, lively teaching, dynamic prayer and community outreach that believes we best serve a community not by ‘giving them a fish’ and making them dependent on us, but by taking the time and resources to ‘teach them to fish.’”
The Lord’s Church meets at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 131 in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Sundays, 10 a.m. 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, October 6, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living, at Nicholas Bravo 17, Ajijic, for a 30-minute group HU Chant followed by refreshments and fellowship time. Information: Hallie Shepherd, 766-1047 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.