Lakeside Presbyterian
This week Pastor Carolyn, will talk about: “What Child is This?” Matthew 1
This Christmas we’re going to look at the description of Jesus’ birth given in the Gospel of Matthew. The more familiar story is found in Luke. Matthew tells what happened from Joseph’s point of view. A popular, new Christmas song asks “Mary, Did You Know?” But what did Joseph know? We will see that he knew quite a lot—and we have a lot to learn from him.
English-language service begins at 9:30 a.m. Spanish service begins 11 a.m.. Everyone is welcome to the drop-in Bible study Wednesday, 10 a.m.
The English service also streams each Sunday at facebook.com/LPCChapala.
If you need a ride, or more information, call 376-106-0853 Thursday, before 4 p.m.
There is coffee and refreshments after the service in the Narthex.
LPC is at Calle San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar, (turn lakeside at Mom’s Restaurant).
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Christmas Eve Service is at 5 p.m., December 24, with full choir, including some guest singers from Zapopan and instrumentalists on brass, singing all of your favorite Christmas carols, including a special rendition of “O Holy Night.” Rev. Robbin will preach and celebrate Holy Communion. We will light candles as we sing “Silent Night.” Afterward a bonfire and special drinks will be there to celebrate the birth of the messiah.
The Reverend Robbin Moore will celebrate and preach on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 10 a.m.
The St. Andrew’s Lunch Bunch goes to different venues for lunch at noon every Sunday. The location is listed every Sunday in our bulletin.
Sunday services are streamed live and sermon highlights are available on Facebook/St Andrews Anglican Lake Chapala.
Outreach: St. Andrew’s supports Operation Feed. Who would we be as Christians if we did not reach out to feed our neighbors? We also support La Ola Home for Girls. St. Andrew’s assistant priest, Fr. James Twyman, raised over 16,000 pesos from his two performances of the St. Francis Nativity Story, which was donated to La Ola.
Education: St. Andrew’s has ongoing educational programs, such as the one for Advent led by The Rev. Michelle McKinnon-Young on the Enneagram. Spiritual Direction is provided by Laurie Devine. A course entitled “Anglican Music: Its History, Development, Identity, and Beauty” led by Jonathan Wheat will begin in January. A 7 week course, Keys to the Kingdom, in both English and Spanish, led by Rev. Johannys Hartog, will begin in February, and during Lent we will have a study on the Epistle to the Hebrews led by Rev. Michael Schirmacher. Classes are open to anyone who wishes to join us.
No Taize will be held in December, but join us the third Wednesday of January and months following for our Interfaith Taize service led by Rev. Sue Powell, Jonathan Wheat, and the St. Andrew’s Choir at 5 p.m.
Concert Series: Watch for news coming soon about our January-March concert series led by organist and Choir Director Rodrigo Leal with well-known guest performers from many locations in Mexico.
Todo Bueno: Our consignment shop next to S&S Auto is the perfect place to do all of your Christmas shopping this year! You can also donate unwanted Christmas gifts that you might receive but not really want the week after Christmas.
Good Bye Rev. Robbin: Our Priest in Charge, The Rev. Robbin Moore, will be retiring December 31 but stay tuned for an announcement on the new leadership team.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Saturday, Christmas Eve, there will be a Candlelight Christmas Carol sing, at 4 p.m., followed by potluck refreshments at the Little Chapel.
Sunday, Christmas Day, Thomas Walker will be in the pulpit with another insightful sermon dedicated to the celebration of the one we know as Jesus of Nazareth.
Stay afterwards for a time of coffee, food, and fellowship.
We are located on the Ajijic Chapala highway 10 in Chula Vista. Sunday service begins at 11 a.m., followed by a Christmas potluck dinner with the turkey and ham provided by the Chapel.
Donations for our food mission in San Juan Tecomatlan are always gladly accepted via our big purple box in front of the Chapel. Thank you for continuing to contribute to this worthy cause. Our next distribution January 3, will include our Dia de los Reyes gifts for the children of the people that we support with food despensas in San Juan Tecomatlan.
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., a small group meets for fellowship and prayer at the Chapel.
Mama Cleo’s Boys holds car washes Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., fundraising for their many needs at their care facility.
Conversational Spanish classes will resume Fridays, 1 p.m. Information: 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..
Mama Cleo’s Boys are back with car washes on Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They wish to thank everyone who has helped them meet the many needs for their boys and the houses where they are living.
Beginning January 2, Mondays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., “What does the Bible say about healing for today?”
Little Chapel telephone: 376-766-2538.
Jewish Congregation
The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation holds Friday services at 6 p.m. via Zoom. See lakechapalajewishcongregation.com for the URL.
Unitarian Universalists
Sunday, December 25, Kriss Gang will reflect on “Christmas: It’s Not Just for Christians.”
Christians were newcomers to the early winter/solstice celebrations 2022 years ago and look what has happened since. This Christmas day service will look at the history and myths behind “the reason for the season” And, we will also learn about how the Unitarians saved Christmas and share stories about traditional Christmas songs written and inspired by Unitarians. Deb Gang will be the Service Leader.
Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship services are Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person services are now available at Hidalgo 261, Riberas del Pilar.
Christ Church Lakeside
Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico, will observe a Christmas Candlelight Eucharist Service, in person and via Zoom Saturday, December 24, 5 p.m. at our location with the red door and windows next to The Smokehouse Restaurant. Rev. Linda Ramos will be the celebrant and give a message. There will be finger food following the service.
A December 25 Christmas Day service will not be held.
The Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution will not be held Tuesday, December 27. If you wish to give a much-needed monetary donation, or need more information, contact Al Ramos, 332-384-2343, 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..
The Bible Study, hosted by Rev. Danny Borkowski will not be held for the rest of the year. When it resumes via Zoom January 4, 2023, all are invited to learn about the inspired contents of the Bible and share their insights with each other.
To receive the Zoom sign-in information for joining the Holy Eucharist service, contact Rev. Danny Borkowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 376-766-2495, or Rev. Jim Powers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 322-356-0382.
Christ Church Lakeside wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Lake Chapala Baptists
The Joy of Christmas was Interim Elder Eddie Garnett’s sermon title last Sunday, and a joyful day it was. Palpable good will filled the sanctuary, heightened by beautiful music of the season and a moving testimony about God’s work through church members.
“Rejoice always,” the Bible exhorts us through the faith-filled apostle Paul. “Joy is not happiness,” Eddie said, “and it has little to do with your circumstances. Let us learn, like Paul, how to be content in every situation.
“When Paul told us to rejoice evermore, he meant it. I can think of no greater joy than the absolute assurance that God is in control. If you trust Jesus Christ, He will save you and sanctify you wholly; one day we will wear the crown of righteousness. There’s joy in that too.”
How, though? you may be asking. Eddie addressed that very question with words from 1 Thessalonians: “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, and delight in your faith,” he quoted. And then he ended with a poignant familiar carol lyric: “Let every heart prepare Him room.”
May your holidays be filled with joy and the security of God’s gentle presence working in your life.
Share memorable weekly sermons, uplifting music, and an ongoing thirst for true wisdom Sundays at 10:45 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church (LCBC), Sta. Margarita 147 in Riberas del Pilar. LCBC’s bilingual services will normally continue Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., but this Sunday that service has been replaced by a bring-and-share feast with presents for the boys from Mama Cleo’s Boys Home.
St. Mark’s Anglican
Episcopal, Guadalajara
A bilingual candlelight Christmas Eve service begins at 6 p.m. December 24. Finally a bilingual service will be held at noon on Christmas Day.
Deacon in Charge is Rev. Pamela Hosey Long. Chichimecas 836, corner of Aztecas diagonally across the street from the UAG ICB Campus, Colonia Monraz, 44670 Guadalajara.
Abundant Life Church
Merry Christmas. You are invited to our candlelight communion service on Christmas Eve, 6:30 p.m. in English, and 7:15 p.m. in Spanish. Could you imagine the shepherds arriving and saying happy holidays? Or perhaps the Wise men explaining their visit as their winter break? Come and enjoy Christmas with us as we focus on the real meaning of Christmas. We will tell of Jesus and the incredible gift that God has given us. Note that for this Sunday and the first of January we will be combining our 9 a.m. service with our 12 p.m. service. English at 10:30 p.m. and Spanish at noon. See you Christmas morning!
English Sunday service is at the church at 10:30 a.m., also at abundantlifechapala.com. and Spanish at noon, also at vidaabundantechapala.com. Bible studies in English are Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Carretera 140 in San Antonio Tlayacapan, just a block from SuperLake.
Unity Ajijic
We have all heard the Christmas Story, but what does it mean to us? Rev James uses metaphysics to enable us to engage more fully in our Christmas Story. Rev Johannys leads us in an interactive musical tribute to Christmas. unitynamaste.org. Located at Namaste Village, Angel Flores Place 5, Ajijic.
Grace Church Chapala
Join us for worship at the Bravo Theater, 441 Hidalgo, in Riberas, every Sunday, 10 a.m.
Grace Church is a group of believers with a more contemporary style of worship with a mix of praise songs and hymns.
Heart of Awareness
Activities at the Heart of Awareness are open to all. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written meditation instructions for beginners
There is a practice period from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, December 18. (Please note that there will be a one-hour practice period on both Sundays, December 25, and January 1, 2023.)
Wednesday, December 28, the meditation period is from 4 to 5 p.m. Following that, a dharma talk (video) by Joseph Goldstein on the third “Mark of Existence”—no self (anatta), where he offers a few tools helpful to understanding “no self” experientially. Joseph is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachussetts, an author, and senior teacher in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition.
The Center will be open on both Sunday, December 25, and Sunday, January 1, with a practice period from 9 to 10 a.m. on both days. On January 1, the practice period will be followed by an opportunity for reflection and dialogue.
An open group for practice and book study meets Thursdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Also on Thursdays, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Heart of Awareness library is open for browsing and checking out books. The collection contains over 300 books related to Buddhism—history, teachings, practices, and more—and is open to the public.
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community and Practice Center is located at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. For more information, including a link for attending the Wednesday sessions via Zoom, visit the website heartofawareness.org.