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..
Unitarian Universalists
Rev. Matt Alspaugh will give the sermon “Stories We Tell Ourselves” Sunday, December 15 at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
We often believe old stories that we tell ourselves – stories that are often harsh and judgmental, victim stories, stories that are no longer true, and may never have been true. These are called “thin stories” in the practice of Narrative Therapy. Instead of continuing to tell these stories, we seek to replace them with hopeful, helpful, and more honest “thick stories.” These we seek to thicken with more detail and historical evidence. What are the thin and thick stories in our lives? How might we change negative stories into positive ones?
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
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the Third Sunday of Advent (Advent Sunday) December 15, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. in La Huerta Events Center. Rev. Jim Powers will celebrate and give a message with the theme “Disillusioned,” based on Matthew 11:2-11.
Sunday School (in Spanish) convenes during the service at the Gospel Reading. Young people are welcome to share this time of lessons and discovery.
Coffee and refreshments are available before and after the service.
Those of the congregation and friends are invited to meet for a potluck meal in the church facility after the service.
December 19, the Lakeside Singers will meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Little Chapel by the Lake for a day of caroling. The Lakeside Singers is an outreach of Christ Church Lakeside that sing at some of the assisted living homes in the area. All interested in joining in on the fun are welcome to join in this come-and-go affair. A lunch break will be held at the Laguna Mall Food Court about 1 p.m.
The Bible Study will not meet Thursdays, December 19 or December 26, but will resume on January 2.
Lake Chapala Baptist
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matthew 15:8-9)
People will come up with all kinds of rules about being a Christian, just to look good. However, their heart is not really in it. They are quick to point out faults in others, but are slow to show compassion and mercy. Going to church, singing a worship song, and claiming to believe in Jesus are easy things to do. Doing these things can appear on the outside to be honoring God. It can appear the person is a good Christian follower of Jesus. The reality of it is that doing these things are only outward showings and may not always be a part of the heart. This is missing who Jesus really is and what He was about. If you live like this, you are only honoring God with your lips and words and not with your heart. God is seeking to have your heart, not just your words. As you say and do things each day, you need to ensure that they measure up to what Jesus said and did. Jesus said and did everything from the heart. His heart was to please His Father, God, not just to look good on this earth. Don’t just go through the routine of looking like a believer in Jesus. Be a believer and follower of Jesus from the heart.
Pastor John Linton will be bringing the message Sunday.
Lake Chapala Baptist Church will hold its annual Christmas program followed by a soup dinner and fellowship, Sunday, December 15, 6 p.m.
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
Sunday, December 15, 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.
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.
Lakeside Presbyterian
“Well, it’s about time!” we often say when someone is late and we are frustrated. Surely people wondered why God did not send the Messiah when expected – 400 years had elapsed since there had even been a prophet in Israel; God seemed distant and silent.
But Galatians 4:4 tells us that Jesus came at God’s appointed time. It was the perfect season – the fullness of time.
We continue in the third week of Advent as we prepare for the arrival of the Savior.
This is a Communion Sunday.
The Lakeside Presbyterian Church (LPC) nurse is on site Mondays 1-3 p.m. Blood glucose checks after service this Sunday at the name tag desk.
An extensive Nativity scene collection from around the world will be on display at LPC Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, December 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sing with Freedom Chorale’s 60’s Singalong with live guitar and snacks Tuesday, December 17 at 1 p.m.
Friday, December 20, 5 p.m. a Freedom Chorale Christmas Concert will include traditional and fun holiday songs. There will be a free-will offering.
Computer, sewing and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for any Spanish speakers are offered Saturday 10 a.m. Can you help with ESL classes? Contact Pastor Guillermo at 331-247-0003.
Call Yoli Reyna, 331-604-1006 to arrange free transportation to and from church.
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.
Abundant Life Church
Have your plans always worked out? When we serve the Lord there are times when our plans for our life have to change. Sunday, December 15, Pastor Gary takes us on a study of the Christmas story. Joseph certainly had his plan that did not include marrying a pregnant girl and Mary was shocked at the possibility. They decided that following God´s plan was the best thing that they could do. We too have the option of following God´s plan in obedience. When we do, it may seem like we lose many things, but time will prove that we gain far more. The Christmas story is written for us to learn from. Your life story is not yet complete. Let God complete it!
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.
Home Church Int’l
Many natural events across our planet are doing well to get our attention. We just finished our destructive hurricane season. Land-shaking earthquakes are numerous all across the world, and increasing in number. These events seem to bring out doomsdayers right and left. We will not belittle these attention-getters. It calls to memory words of Jesus who warns that when these signs begin to appear, the end is near. For the born-again believer in Jesus Christ, this does not evoke fear, but trust and assurance.
Pastors Paul and Susana Allen recall when Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat into stormy waters. Peter did at first, but then took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm around him. He began to sink. We must keep our focus on Jesus, not the strife.
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..
Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Lahry will be speaking on the gifts of the Spirit. The worship service is at 11 a.m.
Since the highway is torn up due to the bike path construction, turn in to the parking area from Paseo de Golf at the entrance to Chula Vista.
Stay after the service for a family-style comida.
Bible studies are held Tuesday, December 10, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, December 18, Fun with Music will sing at Casa Nostra in Riberas del Pilar 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.
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.
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.
Lakeside CommunityFellowship
An article recently stated that church attendance in North America continues to decline, which is not surprising given the rise of secularism. The question often posed is, “Does God exist?” There is certainly valid evidence for the existence of a supernatural being who is personal and can be known, but it’s difficult to have a dispassionate discussion regarding faith, or the lack of it, in today’s spiritual climate.
We all exercise faith daily, the issue is, “faith in what?” When it comes to religious faith, there’s a need to examine the evidence for that faith. One of those evidences is the Word of God, the Bible. I’m glad to be involved with a church that trusts God’s Word and seeks to explain its truths each time we get together. If you’re seeking to find answers to the big questions of life, we would encourage you to join us on a Sunday morning and examine the evidence for yourself. And if you’re already a person of faith you’ll enjoy the fellowship at Lakeside Community Fellowship. Everyone is welcome!
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.
St. Mark’s Anglican-Episcopal,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.
The Christmas Eve solemn, musical Mass is December 24, 6:30 p.m. Refreshments follow.
Chichimecas 836 at Aztecas, Col. Monraz, end of route Bus 33-A. Also see stmarksanglican.org.