Lake Chapala Baptist
The title of Pastor John Linton’s sermon last week was “Thanksgiving, Covenant and our Status.”
It turned out to be a fascinating history lesson focusing on two Thanksgiving-related events not too far apart in time: The Puritans’ journey to escape religious persecution in England and the less well-known story of Trekkers – or pioneers – in South Africa.
There were striking similarities between the two stories, including some vivid and eyebrow-raising miracles. Both tales ended with lasting covenants and rejoicing thanks to God for delivering their people from crushing religious persecution and vanquishing their enemies.
The congregation had a rollicking good time.
Share thoughtful weekly sermons, uplifting music, God-driven fellowship, and an ongoing thirst for true wisdom at Lake Chapala Baptist Church every Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Adult Sunday school 9:45 a.m., and Bible study groups Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Covid protocols are observed.
Information: 376-765-2925; lakechapalabaptistchurch.com or LCBC Facebook page.
Don’t miss LCBC’s Christmas program, “Advent of Hope, the Spirit of Christmas.” Three different dates and venues to choose from: December 11 at Mama’s Musical Bar (free), December 14 at Sol y Luna (dinner show 350 pesos); and December 15 at LCBC (free). All programs start at 3:30 pm.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the second Sunday of Advent, December 5, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Service in person and via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. in our location two doors east, and on the same side, of the La Huerta Eventos Center.
Rev. Christine Wysock will celebrate and give a message “Prophets or Weirdos?” based on Luke 3:3-6.
Masks are required. Those wishing to have brunch/lunch will meet at noon in the El Ancla Restaurant Bar & Grill, 890 Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec, (next to the La Reserva entrance), Ajijic, 376-106-2011.
The Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution will be held Tuesday, December 7, 12:30 p.m. at Calle Jesus Garcia 11, San Antonio Tlayacapan. Information/monetary donation: Al Ramos, 332-384-2343, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Bible study, hosted by Rev. Danny Borkowski, will be via Zoom December 8, 1:30 p.m. All are invited to learn about the inspired contents of the Bible and share their insights with each other.
To receive the Zoom sign-in information to join the Holy Eucharist service and/or the Bible study, contact Rev. Jim Powers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 322-356-0382.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Sunday, December 5, at the 11 a.m. praise and worship service, Pastor Pete Campbell will speak and share from the Word of God in the book of Mathew, Chapter 5, How to be a Blessing, in the Feasting at the King’s Table series. Little Chapel by the Lake is located on the Ajijic-Chapala Highway #10 in Chula Vista.
Women’s Bible study continues in the book of Ephesians, at the Little Chapel, Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
The short video “Healing Journeys” will be shown Wednesday, December 8, 4 p.m., followed by Christmas decorating in the Chapel.
Conversational Spanish is Fridays at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, open to all who are interested in improving their spoken Spanish.
Anyone interested in contributing to a special need for Mama Cleo’s boys’ home to have a vehicle for transportation (to school, etc.) contact Alex Berndardo, who is heading up this fundraiser, at 331-118-8290. To donate specifically, go to: www.paypal.com/paypalme/Alexbg912. Looking for donors for a matching fund by an anonymous donor for up to US$5,000.
The monthly food despensas in San Juan Tecomatlan will resume December 7, meeting at 3 p.m. at the Chapel for carpooling. Anyone wanting to help out with our annual blanket and jacket/coat give away, please drop off in the big purple box in front of the Chapel.
Unitarians
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship offers in-person services for those who are fully vaccinated at the fellowship hall located on the Carretera at Hidalgo 261, Riberas del Pilar (and also on Zoom). Covid-19 protocols are followed and masks are required.
Fred Harland will speak about “How to be a Good Ancestor,” Sunday, December 5, 10:30 a.m.
Humankind has had a rapid and destructive impact on our planet. How might we hope to turn that around and thus become good ancestors?
Mardele will be service leader.
Lakeside Presbyterian
In our sermon series on biblical characters Sunday, December 5, we continue to explore the women found in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. This week, Associate Pastor Carolyn Hansen will discuss “Mary, Mother of Jesus.” Mary is, of course, the most famous of all women in the Bible—even better known than Eve, the mother of all humanity. She has much to teach us about how to live.
In-church services at 9:30 a.m. for the English language service, and 11 a.m. for the Spanish language service continue. Live streaming is also available Sunday morning on Facebook at Lakeside Presbyterian Church Chapala with subtitles for the hearing challenged. Please join us in person or online.
We continue to light the candles on the Advent wreath. The first candle last week was the candle of Hope and this week we will light the Peace candle. All masking and distancing protocols are in place as we continue with no attendance limits.
If you need someone to pick you up to come to church, contact LPC at 376-106-0853.
Please do join us this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.!
St. Andrew’s Anglican
On the second Sunday of Advent, December 5, St. Andrew’s Anglican is open for worship. All Covid protocols are followed, and masks must be worn.
Brother James Twyman will preach and Rev. Michael Schirmacher will celebrate Holy Communion.
A live-stream service at standrewsriberas.org begins at 10 a.m.
Sue Powell will offer weekly Zoom sessions on Wednesday during Advent, from 10-11 a.m. on December 8, 15 and 22. These sessions will give attendees the opportunity to practice different forms of contemplative prayer and meditation, and to reflect upon images and readings for the season. To register for the Quiet Day and for the Zoom sessions, 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..
Our monthly men’s and women’s luncheon will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday December 8, at Charlotte’s on the Libramiento. The sign-up sheet will be in the garden.
St. Andrew’s Carol sing will be Thursday, December 16, 2-4 pm. Sign up to bring a main dish or salad.
St. Andrew’s feeding program collects non-perishable food items to donate to “Operation Feed,” which feeds about 140 families in and around San Juan Cosalá. At present, we’re eager for donations of rice or especially cash, wich allows us to buy bulk rice at the lowest prices to help feed even more families; see pledge envelopes marked “RICE” or “BEANS” are available every Sunday. If you sign your name to the envelope, your donation will be recorded as a church donation.
After our service, please join us for coffee and cookies in the garden.
Every donation or consignment to our Todo Bueno resale shop benefits St. Andrew’s Outreach Ministry and enables our parish to support a number of Lakeside charities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
St. Andrew’s volunteer phone/email tree stays in touch with all members personally every week.
To be part of our parish family, contact Rev. Robbin 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.. Information: 332-267-6643, standrewsriberas.org.
Abundant Life Church
Believe it or not, we are living in a time of great hope. As we enter the Christmas season we may be inclined to look at the commercial problems that are everywhere with inflation climbing, but our hope is not in a future financial profit. Hope has a name: Jesus. Jesus is our hope in all seasons. Matthew 12:21 says, ¨In his name the nations will put their hope.¨ If you are ready for a little good news or just need your hopes lifted, come visit us this Sunday, December 5. Jesus is hope that never disappoints.
Abundant Life Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God of Mexico and has services for everyone. English Sunday service is at 10 a.m., also at abundantlifechapala.com. Bible studies are in person Wednesdays, 11 a.m., Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140 in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Guadalajara
St. Mark’s welcomes everyone to the Christmas season, beginning Sunday, December 12, 5 p.m., with the traditional Anglican mix of music and scriptural readings, Lessons and Carols. Soprano Guadalupe Blanco performs Schubert’s “Ave Maria” with an eight-member choir at that event, along with Advent music, directed by Debra Matthew with the acclaimed Ana Silvia Guerrero on organ. Rev. John Burk presides. Sunday, December 19, a traditional posada will be held in the garden after a bilingual Mass at 11:30 a.m.; please bring a dish to pass.
A Christmas Eve, musical Mass will be celebrated 6 p.m. with an excellent 8-member choir, leading the congregation in carols and anthems, culminating in Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah.”
Mass in English Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Spanish Mass at 12:30 p.m. Masking and social distancing at all events. Chichimecas 836 at Aztecas, Col. Monraz, 8 blocks behind Plaza Mexico. www.stmarksanglican.org
Iglesia Cristiana Agape
Bilingual Christian Church Service Sundays at 6 p.m., with music. Calle Nudo de Cempoaltepetl 842, Col. San Marcos, Guadalajara. 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.. Tel. 332-590-7760.