Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Lahry discusses “Experiencing God” Sunday, July 21, asking why should we? How do we know that we’re experiencing God and not just ourselves?
Non-denominational worship service, 11 a.m. A family “comida” is held after the service. All are welcome.
Bible studies of Acts and Romans, 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 23,
Fun with Music heads to La Valentina assisted living care center for a sing-along, Wednesday, July 24. Meet at the Chapel to carpool, 3:30 p.m.
Also, Wednesday, “The Fire Below Us” documentary/drama about the Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption, 5:30 p.m. at the Chapel.
Information: Belva, (376) 766-2538.
Unitarian Universalists
Jesus’ existence is a matter of faith for billions. Yet when we look beyond the accounts of the Christian Bible, the evidence is thin. What can we make of this evidence? What does the evidence, or lack of evidence, mean to Christians and non-Christians? We’ll try to peel back the layers of this question on Sunday, July 21. Reverend Matt Alspaugh will lead the service.
The Unitarians meet Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Hidalgo 261, on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, opposite the Catholic Church. More information: (376) 766-2299.
Lake Chapala Baptist
Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Jesus teaches that when it comes to sin, there’s no amount of being “good” or “religious” enough that can ever come close to covering the costs of our sin. It’s just an impossible debt to repay. That’s why God sent Jesus to willingly pay that sin debt in our place through His death on the cross. In doing so, Jesus chose to offer us forgiveness that we could never earn or deserve. It’s a forgiveness unlike anything the world has ever known and it’s available for all who put their faith in Him. But Jesus doesn’t stop there. Jesus clearly teaches that we are to forgive others who sin against us.
But certainly, that doesn’t mean forgiving everyone, does it? What about those who simply show no remorse? Forgiving when the other person is sorry is one thing, but what about those who truly don’t care? Take a look at Matthew 6:14-15. Jesus doesn’t say anything about forgiving only those who are sorry. There’s nothing about only forgiving those who are trying to make amends. The forgiveness that Jesus is talking about here is a decision of the will, no matter the injury. After all, even the biggest “sins” others commit against us are nothing compared to how we’ve sinned against God, sending Jesus to the cross for our sins. So, the question for Jesus’ followers is this: Are you willing to obey Jesus and forgive others - even when there’s no remorse? If we don’t, then our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.
Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. English-language Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; English-language worship service, 11 a.m., and Spanish-language worship service, 12:30 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Rev. Liza Spangler will preside and preach, Sunday, July 21.
St. Andrew’s service of Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m., and bilingual Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.
Operation Feed welcomes donations of non-perishable food items every Sunday. 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? If so, don’t forget Todo Bueno. Donations or consignments benefit St. Andrew’s Outreach Ministry. Everything from clothing, kitchenware, electronics, books, furniture, appliances, collectibles to sports equipment are welcomed.
Todo Bueno is located on the Carretera, just west of S&S Auto in Riberas del Pilar. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Volunteers are needed to serve as sales clerks at Todo Bueno. Shifts include 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Contact Patti Gonzales, 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..
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Lakeside Presbyterian
This Sunday, Carolyn Hansen’s sermon “The Mystery Revealed” will discuss Paul’s letter to the Colossians wherein he reveals God’s incredible mystery and how we can live in peace with Him. This is Communion Sunday.
Communion is offered immediately after services on non-communion Sundays (2nd and 4th).
Saturday morning classes for Spanish speakers continue – computer, sewing, and English as a Second Language (ESL), 10 a.m.
Social Drop-In and Sixties Singalongs with Freedom Chorale, Tuesday, July 23, 1 to 4 p.m. This will be the last Social and Sing-along. Light snacks are served, 2 p.m. All are welcome.
A nurse is onsite Mondays 1 to 3 p.m. and Tuesday mornings.
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; Bible Study, Fridays, 9:45 a.m. in the library.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside (CCL), a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 21, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Rite Two at 11 a.m. in La Huerta Events Center. Rev. Danny Borkowski will celebrate while Rev. Jim Powers gives the message, “Choose the Better Part.”
Following worship, we will enjoy a potluck at the same location, to which everyone is invited. If you are able, please bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert item to share. Beverages and place settings are provided.
We gather on Tuesday, July 23, 1 p.m. at the last soccer field on Revolucion (the street where Ajijic’s Wednesday Market is held; head toward the lake from the Carretera) to re-package food for our Loaves and Fishes Food Program. Immediately following, a small group will deliver the items to our sponsored families.
Lakeside Singers outreach resumes, Wednesday, July 24, 4:30 p.m. at the Ohana assisted living center, La Paz 6, San Juan Cosalá. We welcome anyone who is interested in joining us. Those who wish to dine afterward can meet at Viva Mexico.
The Bible Study meets Thursday, July 25, 3 p.m. at Elizabeth Carroll’s home, Galeana 35 in Ajijic. All are welcome to learn about the inspired contents of the Bible and share their insights with each other.
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. Information: lakechapalajewishcongregation.com.
San Andrés Mass
Padre Everardo Sánchez will officiate for the foreign congregation at English-language Mass, Sunday, July 21, 9 a.m.
Sunday Masses in Spanish are scheduled at 7, 8 and 10 a.m., noon, 5, 7 and 8 p.m.
San Andrés Catholic Church is at the corner of Ramon Corona and Parroquia, one block from the Ajijic main plaza.
San Juan Bautista
Father Jose Louis Gonsalves will preside at English-language Mass held at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in San Juan Cosala, Sunday, July 21, 9 a.m. The church is located at Del Cardinal, across from the plaza.
San Antonio de Padua
An English-language Mass is held at this Catholic parish each Sunday, 10 a.m. Address: Ramon Corona 123, San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Abundant Life Church
How do you respond to temptation? Temptation is all around us. It can come up as a result of our own nature, culture, other people, or even the devil. Temptation is inevitable but how do you deal with it? Is it better to just ignore it and hope it goes away? Should we just hope that it is almost over?
Come this Sunday, July 21, as Pastor Gary takes us to the scriptures to see what kind of hope we have in facing our temptations and winning. Jesus did not go through so much effort to set us free for us to never realize the freedom that we have in Him.
Abundant Life Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God of Mexico and has services for everyone. Weekly Sunday worship services, 10 a.m.. and Bible study in English, Wednesdays, 3 p.m. Spanish language services, Sundays, noon, and Bible studies, Fridays, 6:45 p.m. Children’s ministry, Saturday, noon, and youth, Saturdays, 6 p.m.
Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month. Once a month, the women meet for a time of fellowship and the study of the Word of God (time and date announced each month).
The church is at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from Super Lake. Information: 331-417-7038.
Home Church Int’l
In college, some of my classes were merely normal subjects. Lessons were understandable and expected. Nevertheless, some subjects left me dazed. The only way to cope was to be diligent with assignments and read ahead in the textbooks. One such subject was philosophy. My head would spin after every class. My general orientation was not like the professor’s.
It’s amazing how this reflects how some churchgoers don’t “tune into” what the sermon is conveying. Often, the audience will tune out if it seems too deep, personal or probing. Maybe the issue is a lack of diligence or a lack of seriousness about one’s relationship with the Lord and His Word. It could very well be a lack of spiritual communion with Him. We must respond to the challenge in 2nd Timothy exhorting us to “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” Pastors Paul and Susana Allen can assist you further.
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
Spiritual liberation – self-realization and enlightenment – come from knowledge, not from any action or activity, not from mental know-how, but rather from deep internal knowledge. Self-realization is not transformation, but a revelation of who you are and always have been.
Ramana Maharshi was the leading Indian spiritual teacher of the 20th century. He taught the practice of self-inquiry as the most direct way to self-knowledge. This is looking within yourself to see what is true – and what is not true – about your own sense of identity, your ego.
Weekly spiritual gatherings (satsangs) are a time to come together and listen to contemporary teachers’ instruction on Ramana’s teachings and then meditate as a group. They are hosted Wednesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the house of Richard and Carol, San Luis 73, Riberas del Pilar. There is no cost for satsang, and books and meditation materials will be provided. Space is limited. Register at 376-765-6976.
Lakeside CommunityFellowship
Lakeside Community Fellowship is a new and vibrant evangelical Christian fellowship, meeting every Sunday, 10 a.m. at Hidalgo 441, in the new Bravo Theatre directly adjacent to the Carretera.
All are welcome to attend. Youth and children’s Sunday school classes are available during the service. Information: Alan Pohl, 333-399-1501; Dave Powell, 332-208-9263.
Guadalupe portrait graces hospital chapel
Ajijic artist Efrén González chose the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s spiritual patroness, as the subject for the painting he created to grace the modest non-denominational chapel and meditation room at the Hospital San Antonio. Gonzaléz (left) posed with volunteer project coordinator Mary Bragg and Medical Director Carlos Ramirez Aldrete during an unveiling ceremony held Friday, July 12.