Unitarian Universalists
Ellen McFarland is the speaker at the Sunday, October 9 meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. McFarland will continue the exploration of the book “A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism” by Forrest Church and John Buehrens. She will review Chapters 1 and 2 and give her insights. Lorna Dean is the service leader.
The Unitarians meet 10:30 a.m. at Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the bell tower, on the north side of the Carretera.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
The Blessing of the Animals will take place at Saturday, October 8, noon. All pets are welcome as long as they are caged or on a leash.
“Thank you” are two little words that go a long way. In next Sunday’s Gospel reading at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one comes back to give thanks. In her sermon, “And One Returned,” the Rev. Robbin del Nagro reminds us that we have much for which to be grateful. Thanksgiving celebrations are not the only time to show our gratitude for all we have been given. We can give thanks to God and those around us every day of the year.
Worship begins at 10 a.m., and the bilingual children’s Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. A coffee hour and a time of fellowship and welcome follows the service.
The Ladies’ Luncheon has been changed to Tuesday, October 11, 1 p.m. at the Avocado Club in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
The Company of Gentlemen welcomes all men in the community to their next monthly breakfast, on Wednesday, October 12, 8:30 a.m. in the church kitchen.
The Harvest Comida, a Thanksgiving feast, will be held October 29. The social hour will begin at 1 p.m. and the meal will be at 2 p.m.
Remember to contact the church if you wish to attend the six-week series on “Grief and Loss” that will be led by the Rev. del Nagro beginning Wednesday, October 12.
On the second Sunday of each month, St. Andrew’s collects donations to support its Sunday School children and their families in Jocotopec. And every Sunday, the feeding programs supported by St. Andrew’s welcome 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.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Lakeside Presbyterians
Pastor Ross Arnold will conclude his sermon series on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit with “Miraculous Gifts,” Sunday, October 9.
He says: “Of all the gifts bestowed on Christians by the Holy Spirit, none are more controversial or more misunderstood than the gifts of speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing and miracles. Whether you’ve experienced these gifts, or simply want to understand them better, join the congregation for worship at Lakeside Presbyterian and find out more.”
Visitors are also welcome to stay for the congregation’s second Sunday lunch, directly after the English-language service.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church meets at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. Turn toward the lake at Mom’s Restaurant; the church is two blocks down on the right. English-language services at 10 a.m. and Spanish-language services at 9 a.m. and noon. Everyone is welcome.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Sunday, October 9, the Little Chapel by the Lake will be welcoming their new pastor, Ken Armstrong, into the pulpit. A meet and greet party with a comida will be held Saturday, October 15, 2-4 p.m. for all those who would like to meet Pastor Armstrong and his wife Dawn, who are arriving from Grant’s Pass, Oregon.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located in Chula Vista at Carretera Chapala-Ajijic 10. Worship service is at 11:30 a.m. and a fellowship time with coffee and snacks is held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 766-2538.
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ Church Episcopal, a congregation of the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the 21st Sunday after Pentecost by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Sunday, October 9, 9:30 a.m. at the Little Chapel by the Lake. Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside, and give a message with the theme “Eleison” based on Luke 17:11-19.
The congregations of Christ Church Episcopal and the Little Chapel share a common fellowship time between their two services, from about 10:35 to 11:25 a.m.
Christ Church sponsors a Bible Study Tuesdays, 2 p.m. Join them as they tackle a new Bible book — get in at the beginning. Call Fr. Borkowski (766-2495) for the venue.
The Christ Church Episcopal lunch bunch meets Sunday, October 9, 11:30 a.m. at La Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra 9, Ajijic, (376) 766-1444.
New Hope Christian
The non-denominational congregation of New Hope Christian Fellowship will meet as usual on Sunday at 11 a.m. Along with hymns of praise and prayers, Pastor Gene Raymer will deliver a message he has given the title “Jesus’ Parable.” Explains Raymer: “Jesus often spoke in parables and today we are going to look at one of them and touch on the reason why.” Following the service, members will continue their fellowship with a meal at Letty’s Restaurant.
New Hope Christian Fellowship is a nondenominational congregation that seeks to emulate the first century Christian Church as reflected in the New Testament. For questions or directions to the church, call the pastor at (376) 766-3435.
Lakeside Baptists
Says Brother Bob Hendrick: “This morning I walked to coffee wearing my Ariat boots. Ariat is a boot company started by Beth Cross and Pam Parker applying the technology of running shoes to boots for equestrians. They thought footwear for riding (which requires a heel) could be comfortable on the ground as well. They engineered boots for western and English riding that not only look good and function in the saddle but work on the ground too. They said boots aren’t just about looks on the outside; what’s on the inside is important. Jesus said the same thing to the religionists of his day. ‘Outside you are all shined up with fancy stitching, but inside you’re sweaty and stinky and blistered. And, you try to make others just like yourself.’ (That is a bit of a paraphrase.) The life that Jesus offers is functional in the sanctuary and in the saddle, in the stockyard and in the stock market and anywhere else because it’s not all external; what’s inside matters.”
Hendrick will give the sermon at this Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship service at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church, at Santa Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar.
San Andres English
“Today we come to give thanks to God and to offer sacrifice to Him for having made known to us His salvation and cleansed us from our sins.”
So says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D. Min., who will offer the homily “Thanksgiving” at San Andres Catholic Church’s English-language service Sunday October 9, 9 a.m.
This Sunday, San Andres has a White Envelope Offering after Mass for the outreach projects of their congregation. This offering supports many local charities: Anita’s Shelter, six student scholarships, Villa Infantil, Operation Feed, Cruz Roja, Niños Incapacitados, El Corazon del Ancianos, the Ancianos Christmas Dinner, the San Andrés fiesta, Niños y Jovenes, and scholarships for local Seminarian students.
San Andres is located at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
St. Mark’s Anglican Guadalajara
Sunday, October 9, Father Jim Priddy will give a sermon “Paul? Which one?” at the 10:30 a.m. worship service at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. “How do we deal with the contradictions we find in Paul’s writings, involving, for example, his teachings on women?” asks Priddy.
St. Mark’s is at Chichimecas 836, corner of Aztecas, a two-minute drive north of Plaza Mexico, in Colonia Monraz. Call 331-432-3497 or 378-786-0803 for more information.