Lake Chapala Baptist
“Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
This world could use a lot more kindness. People can be so mean that they point out what another person has done wrong, no matter how long ago it was, and use it to cancel out anything positive they are doing now. God doesn’t treat us that way, He has chosen to be rich in His kindness towards us. One of the dangers we face is judging others. It’s dangerous because we are often guilty of the exact thing of which we are critical. God’s intent isn’t to judge us but to bring us to repentance. Sadly, today’s church is full of people policing other’s actions and not paying enough attention to themselves. Have you ever thought that God is restraining the punishment we deserve for our sins? His kindness and restraint are so abundant that it is impossible for us to exhaust it. We can be so impressed with our self-righteousness that we fool ourselves into thinking that we are experts in calling others out. Spend some time today thanking God for his patience towards you and repent over some of the sins you are struggling with. It’s a lot easier to be grateful after you have humbled yourself and begged for His forgiveness. When we are purposeful in our repentance and gratefulness, it makes us slower to judge those who are going through similar issues.
Pastor John Linton will be bringing the message Sunday, December 1.
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.
Unitarian Universalists
Trudy Crippen will speak on “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Sunday, December 1 at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Fred Rogers is getting a lot of attention because of the biopic that opens this week. Crippen will talk about Rogers’ ministry without ever giving a sermon, and emphasize the influence he has had our children. She will also emphasize the similarities between Rogers, a Presbyterian minister, and Unitarians.
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.
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.
Information: lakechapalajewishcongregation.com or 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..
Christ Church
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the First Sunday of Advent (Advent Sunday) December 1, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. in La Huerta Events Center. Fr Danny will celebrate and give a message with the theme, “The Rapture,” based on Matthew 24:36-44.
Sunday School (in Spanish) convenes during the service at the Gospel Reading. Young people are welcome to share this time of lessons and discovery.
Those of the congregation and friends are invited to meet at 1 p.m. at Yves’ Restaurant Bar, Carretera West, Ajijic (next to Dental Express), 376-766-3565.
The Bible Study meets Thursday, December 5, at Elizabeth Carroll’s home, Galeana 35 in Ajijic.
Lakeside Presbyterian
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. “Advent” – that is to say “Arrival” – begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, December 1, when we prepare to remember the coming of the Christ-child more than 2,000 years ago. During this Advent season, Dr. Wayne Cook will speak of the Second Advent, referring to the time when Jesus will come again. This is a Communion Sunday.
The Lakeside Presbyterian Church (LPC) Nurse is on site Mondays 1-3 p.m.
Many items can enrich the nutrition and appeal of LPC despensas: boxed milk, nuts, fresh food (potatoes, onions, fruit, carrots, zucchini), eggs in containers or flats, tomato puree, caldo de pollo cubes.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church continues to support the community center in La Zapotera, one of the poorest and most marginalized villages on the east side of the lake. Every morning, Monday through Friday, 80 children are provided a healthy breakfast before they go to school.
During the month of November, nearly 260 bags of clothing were delivered to women and children. LPC thanks all donors and volunteers who made this possible.
Everyone is invited to LPC’s Social Drop-In Tuesday, December 3, 1 p.m. Enjoy Freedom Chorale 60s singalong with live guitar.
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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Lahry will be speaking on Miracles Sunday, December 1. Would you recognize a miracle if you saw one? What really is a miracle?
The worship service is at 11 a.m. Stay after the service for a family-style comida.
Bible studies in the book of Romans are held Tuesday, December 3, 10 a.m.
Meet at the Chapel for Food distribution in San Juan Tecomatlan, Tuesday, December 3, 3 p.m. This Tuesday will also be Little Chapel’s annual Christmas party for San Juan Tecomatlan in conjunction with the food distribution.
Wednesday, December 4, Fun with Music will sing at Mi Casita in San Antonio Tlayacapan from 4-5 p.m. Carpooling from the Chapel at 3:30 p.m.
Conversational Spanish classes open to the public are held Friday, 1 p.m.
Saturday, 4 p.m., all are welcome to a “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
Information: 376-766-2538.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Sunday, December 1, the Reverend Dr. Jim Priddy will preside and preach at St. Andrew’s service of Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m. Coffee hour, a time of fellowship and welcome, follows the service.
A Carol Sing will be held Friday, December 6, with a social hour at 3:30 p.m. and a potluck dinner served at 4 p.m. Dessert provided, 100-peso donation requested.
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 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
Try as they may, scientists are plagued by a multitude of unanswered questions. Even giving their best effort, they will offer speculation. An example can be that the universe is so indescribably vast, it is impossible to calculate its expanse. Even our small planet poses a mass of unanswered questions. So, rather than admit defeat, guesswork dominates. To admit or affirm anything outside of the test tube or mathematical effort demands more than the brain can conjure. Most speculative attempts are more than curiosity. They are inseparable from the ego need.
The alternative in our searching is something called faith, putting your belief and trust in something higher than yourself. It demands in this questionable arena that we admit something or someone much bigger is responsible. Even God’s Word explains it. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Everything which appears and has substance in the universe comes from things invisible, merging natural and supernatural. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen affirm God to be God, and give Him His credit. The pastors can be reached at homechurchintl.com, 332-242-8648 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..
Lakeside CommunityFellowship
One of the most positive words in the English language is “hope.” When you have hope you persevere, when there is no hope, you just give up. The Apostle Paul was aware of that and in writing to Christians in Rome he encouraged them when he said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). It’s encouraging to me that God is “the God of hope,” and my faith in Him gives me hope, for my time here on earth and for the prospect of eternity in heaven.
Our Lakeside fellowship is one where we rejoice in hope and encourage one another in our walk with God. Come and join us in the journey and we’ll encourage one another.
Lakeside Community Fellowship meets 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 Andrés Mass
Padre Everardo Sánchez will officiate for the English-speaking congregation, each Sunday, 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, each Sunday, 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
This Sunday, December 1, we will have a special guest with us in both services. Juanita Melchor is a new missionary leaving soon for Africa. She will be sharing with us the conditions that she will face in her new country, why she is going there and the specific needs of the people who live there. Juanita will also encourage us with a special message from the Word of God.
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.
The church is at Carretera Chapala-Jocotepec 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, a block from Super Lake. Information: 331-417-7038.
Riberas Meditation
This week’s Satsang will be on Ramana Maharshi’s “Who am I,” Verse 1: Every living being longs always to be happy, untainted by sorrow. This starts a new series, based on this book.
Ramana Maharshi taught Advaita Vedanta and Self-inquiry as the most direct way for Self-realization. This is looking within yourself to see what is always present, and never comes and goes.
We listen to videos of contemporary teachers. Then we meditate as a group—Self-inquiry.
There is no cost for Satsang. Books and meditation materials are provided for free. Satsang is hosted at the house of Richard Clarke, San Luis 73, Riberas del Pilar. Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Space is limited. Call 376-765-6976 or 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..
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, December 7, 10:30 a.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living located at Nicholas Bravo 17, Ajijic, for a 30-minute group HU Chant followed by refreshments and fellowship time. For more information contact 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. eckankar.org.mx or eckankar.org.
St. Mark’s Anglican, Guadalajara
All are welcome to English Mass at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Michael Schirmacher officiates, with Ana Silvia Guerrero on organ and Debbie Matthew directing the choir. Spanish Mass is at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Manuel Sonora officiating.
St. Mark’s annual Lessons and Carols musical service is set for Sunday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. The Christmas Eve solemn, musical Mass is December 24, 6:30 p.m.
Chichimecas 836 at Aztecas, Col. Monraz, end of route Bus 33-A. Also see stmarksanglican.org.