Lake Chapala Baptist
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
As we end our year with the celebration of the birth of Christ, we remember that it was God’s gift of his Son, who died to bring us eternal life and has brought us salvation. We never have been and never can be worthy of this gift. He has given us so many gifts that are priceless. What we are is God’s gift to us but what we become is our gift to God. A Christmas carol, “What Can I Give Him,” helps us understand a gift that would be most welcome by God. “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a Lamb. If I were a wise man, I’d sure do my part. So what can I give Him? I’ll give Him my heart. What can you give Him? What can you bring? What can you offer that’s fit for a King? Bow before Jesus! That’s where you can start. What can you give Him? Just Give Him your heart.”
Pastor John Linton will be bringing the message Sunday, January 12.
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.
Lakeside Presbyterian
“Giving and Forgiving.” Pastor Carolyn Hansen explores these two appeals at the center of The Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus taught to His disciples, Sunday, January 12, 10 a.m. at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church (LPC).
Please bring a salad to share for the second Sunday potluck where we celebrate Charles Morgan’s 100th birthday. We will have cake to celebrate this milestone.
In February, LPC begins a new sermon series based on Rick Warren’s book, “Purpose Driven Life.” In quiet moments, we may ask ourselves “What on Earth Am I Here For?” Warren describes his creation as an “anti-self-help book.” The first sentence reads, “It’s not about you.” The chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction and meaning can be found only in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do. The 40 short chapters contain many thought-provoking questions and points to ponder, such as why many Christians don’t live purpose-driven lives, envy, and “people pleasing.”
A Red Cross Medical Info Workshop will be held Wednesday, January 15. See This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Social Drop-In 60’s Community Singalong is Tuesday January 14, 1 p.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, 6 a.m.
Christ Church
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe the First Sunday after the Epiphany on January 12, 11 a.m. in La Huerta Events Center. Rev. Danny Borkowski will celebrate and give a message with the theme “Righteousness,” based on Matthew 3:13-17.
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. The congregation and friends will meet 1 p.m. at La Nueva Posada, Carretera Poniente 35 in Ajijic, 376-766-1616.
Tuesday, January 7, about 1:15 p.m., there will be a GAM Food Distribution at the last soccer field on Calle Revolucion (the street where Ajijic’s Wednesday market is held). Help is always needed to fill the buckets with food.
The Bible Study meets on Thursday, January 16, 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.
Unitarian Universalists
Rev. Gary Kowalski will offer “The Fire Sermon” Sunday, January 12 at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
After graduating from Harvard Divinity School, writing best-selling books on animals and spirituality, and serving a variety of UU congregations around the United States, Rev. Kowalski retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to become a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder.
This Sunday, Lieutenant Kowalski shares parables gathered from the end of a high-pressure nozzle: lessons about camaraderie, everyday heroism, handling trauma and grief, and “situational awareness” or firefighter zen. He currently serves as part-time minister to the Unitarian Congregation of Taos. Come feel the burn!
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.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Sunday, January 12, Brother Robert Janisse will speak at the 11 a.m. service about the essence of eternal life being a personal, intimate knowing of God, and Jesus Christ, who He sent to save us from our sins. Janisse will share how eternal life is not just something that we experience in the future when we die, but is a state of being that those who believe can begin to experience here and now. Stay after the service for a family-style comida (pot luck).
Bible studies are held Tuesday, January 14, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, January 15, Fun with Music will sing at Casa Nostra assisted living center, Santa Margarita 8, 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.
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..
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Sunday, January 12, 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.
St. Andrew’s Book Club will meet Monday, January 13, 10:30 a.m., to discuss the book, “Lucky Boy,” by Shanthi Sekaran.
Taizé Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, January 15, February 19 and March 18. For more information on Taizé and its contemplative service of music, readings and prayer, see taize.fr/en. All are welcome to attend.
2020 Episcopal calendars are now available at the parish office for 100 pesos each.
Every Sunday, Operation Feed, a program supported by St. Andrew’s, welcomes donations of non-perishable food items. 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 these foodstuffs to the 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.
Abundant Life Church
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, 6:30 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
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul laid hands on some new believers who experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues, their own personal prayer language. This experience is what is known as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pastors Paul and Susana Allen affirm this is a New Testament blessing available to all born-again believers. 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..
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.
Lakeside Community
Fellowship
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.
Riberas Meditation
This week’s Satsang will held Wednesday, January 15, 3 to 4:40 p.m. The topic will be Ramana Maharshi’s “Who am I,” Verse 4: Who am I? “If the mind subsides, the perception of the world as an objective reality ceases.”
We listen to videos of contemporary teachers. Then we meditate as a group.
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..
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.
Chichimecas 836 at Aztecas, Col. Monraz, end of route Bus 33-A. See stmarksanglican.org.