Unitarian Universalists
How often do we overlook ,the importance of a good laugh? In this service called “The Healing Power of Laughter,” we will examine laughter and how it relates to health, happiness, and our relationships.
Plan to come with a sense of humor as we explore, sing, dance and yes, laugh!
Sunday, August 18, Karyn Carpente gives the sermon and Donna Burroughs leads 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.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 18, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist Rite Two at 11 a.m. in La Huerta Events Center. Our diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Ricardo Gómez Osnaya will celebrate and deliver the homily.
Following worship and coffee hour, there will be a Potluck Meal at the same location to which everyone is invited. If you are able, bring a side dish or salad to share. Dessert, beverages and place settings are provided.
We gather on Tuesday, August 20, 1 p.m. at the last soccer field on Revolucion (the street where Ajijic’s Wednesday Market is held) to re-package the food for our Loaves and Fishes Food Program. Immediately following, a small group will deliver the food to the sponsored families.
Wednesday, August 21, Lakeside Singers, an outreach of Christ Church Lakeside, will hold a sing-along at Casa Anastasia, 73B Hidalgo, Riberas del Pilar. The sing-along will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. For those who want to eat out afterwards, we have reservations at Tango in Ajijic at 6 pm.
The Bible Study meets Thursday, August 22, 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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Lahry continues his sermon series “Experiencing God” Sunday, August 18, focusing on the gift of the Holy Spirit. What does that look like in our daily lives? Afterwards, all are invited to stay for a friendly comida.
Non-denominational worship service, 11 a.m.
Bible studies of Acts and Romans, 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 20.
Fun with Music heads to Casa Nostra assisted living care center for a sing-along, Wednesday, August 21. Meet at the Chapel to carpool, 3:30 p.m.
Also Wednesday, “Florence Nightingale” will be shown in the fellowship hall. Starring Jacklyn Smith, Claire Bloom and Timothy Dalton, it’s the true story of the mother of modern nursing.
Information: Belva, 376-766-2538.
Lakeside Presbyterian
This Sunday, Dr. Wayne Cook speaks of blessings, a subject that many Lakesiders are keenly aware of. Yes, life is full of blessings, but without gratitude, we miss the joy. Paul said to “give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As believers, we are called upon to create an attitude of gratitude. Not only does this please God, but also thankfulness greatly enriches our lives.
This is a Communion Sunday.
LPC’s Community Nurse will not be onsite at LPC on Mondays, and there will be no blood pressure or glucose checks this month.
Every fourth Sunday is now officially Milk Sunday, when we bring shelf-stable milk in cartons, distributed with weekly despensas. Many families cannot provide for their daily needs; despensas help with the basics. Milk, though, is an investment in the health of Mexican youngsters. Feel free to bring your donations of milk any Sunday, and deposit them inside the church entrance.
Saturday morning classes for Spanish speakers continue – computer, sewing, and English as a Second Language (ESL), 10 a.m.
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.
Lake Chapala Baptist
Matthew 5:48 states, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is probably one of His most famous teachings. Jesus concludes with: “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Not a simple command. Perfection is just impossible. A lot of Christians make this mistake in their desire to be a dedicated follower of Jesus. Don’t miss the context of what Jesus was saying. All of Jesus’ teachings were about love. The love He’s talking about is not a feeling but an action. It’s a decision that we make to love each other. Jesus’ calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12: 30-31). Jesus focuses not on us being perfect, but on loving. Apart from Jesus, no one is capable of living a morally perfect life – our focus is to be fully and perfectly devoted to a relationship with God. God’s love will overflow into our interactions with others. Yes, even our enemies and those who persecute us. Don’t become discouraged when we fall short of perfection, because our goal should be to love God as He loves us – not to live perfect lives. As we walk in relationship with God, we will see God begin to transform our lives, even helping us love the unlovable.
Brother John Whitener will be preaching all of August.
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
Reverend Robbin Moore will preside and preach, Sunday, August 18.
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.
Home Church Int’l
The issue of doubt often enters into many conversations and almost every mind. We were raised in a society where skepticism is prevalent. We’ve often heard, “I doubt if it will rain today.” Just a casual observation and opinion. No real challenge to one’s integrity. However, if an opinion is challenged concerning another’s actions or character, we might hear a rebuttal like, “I doubt that!” Then again, a challenge might arise concerning an issue which should be obvious. “I don’t know. I doubt if that is the truth.”
Deeper reflections come about in matters of faith or Biblical trustworthiness. We recall when Jesus came walking on water to meet His disciples on the boat. Peter also chose to walk on the water. Stormy weather caused Peter to lose faith and start sinking, so he cried out for help. Disappointed, Jesus reprimanded him by saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Doubt in God’s Word will dilute your faith.
Pastors Paul and Susana Allen encourage you to know that God and His Word are trustworthy, building your faith. Find the pastors on their website at homechurchintl.com, and reach them at 332-242-8648, or by email 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..
Lakeside Community
Fellowship
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.
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, August 18, 9 a.m. The church is located at Del Cardinal, across from the plaza.
San Andrés Mass
Padre Everardo Sánchez will officiate for the English-speaking congregation, Sunday, August 18, 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 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
Obedience is respected only when others are obeying what we are telling them to do. Many adults think that they are now in charge of their lives and obedience is unnecessary. The truth is that the older we grow and the more responsibilities we have, the more we need to obey. There was a centurion who was commended for his great faith simply because he knew how to obey those in authority and was confident that others would obey his authority, too. He reasoned that if it works for him, it must work for God.
Come this Sunday, August 18, as Pastor Gary takes us to the Bible in search of the blessings of God. We will only be blessed when we obey God 100 percent. King Saul missed out on his blessing but it is not too late for you!
Abundant Life Church is affiliated with 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 on 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.
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 Wednesday, 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.
Connections among Friends
The intricacies of banking and making a last will and testament in Mexico were the topics covered during the August 12 session of Conexiones entre Amigos, the series of community networking events co-sponsored by the Lake Chapala Society and the local Chamber of Commerce. Aurora Michel and staff from Actinver gave a run-down on dealing with banks and financial institutions, stressing the similarities of doing business here and in other countries. Rafael Lomelí Unzueta, representing the local branch of Jalisco’s Association of Lawyers, provided details on preparing for the disbursement of personal assets held in Mexico after one’s death, through a legal document drawn up before a public notary. Services are offered at a discount rate during September. The Conexiones program, scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m., is a forum for casual interaction between residents and local businesses. Guest speakers offer valuable information during the one-hour talks on diverse subjects. Community recycling efforts will be up for discussion at the September 9 gathering.