Lake Chapala Baptist
A short walk last week ended beside a pasture overlooking the lake.
Horses grazed, crickets chirped and on cue a couple of doves flew across our view. A nearby neighbor was picking a soft melody on his guitar. What a picture of peace! Yet, that idyllic scene contrasted with a hard day. Flooding in our neighborhood was difficult for some and disastrous for others. Neighbors standing together gave a strong sense of togetherness. Church members mopping and cleaning and calling and serving was truly inspiring. We all felt a strong sense of peace. Peace wasn’t the absence of difficulty, but the presence of hope.
Church is sometimes the last place we want to look for peace. We rightly identify flaws and hypocrisy. We get burned by an off-color comment or someone building their own kingdom. But Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). You’re invited to join us in coming to Jesus. You’ll find others who are learning to let go of our perfectionism, anxiety and control. You’ll find God is real. We’ll walk together in the peace that comes from a relationship with him.
English worship service is Sundays at 10:45 a.m. with Pastor Dan Klassen. Spanish worship service follows at 12:40 p.m. English-language Bible study is Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday at 10 .am. Lake Chapala Baptist Church, Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. Information: (52)331-608-0856, +1-512-422-1285.
Heart of Awareness
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community offers the opportunity to meditate in a supportive environment at its Practice Center (Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic). Weekly practice sessions are Sundays and Wednesdays. Chairs and cushions are provided. All are welcome regardless of experience or affiliation. Donations appreciated.
Sunday, August 25: 9 to noon. One hour of sitting and walking meditation.
Wednesday, August 28: 4 to 6:15 p.m.: One hour of sitting and walking meditation (4 to 5 p.m.). August’s theme: “Sangha As Practice.” is the topic in a video featuring Spring Washam titled “The Power of Sangha (The Beloved Community).” Questions, sharing, and discussion follow (5 to 6:15 p.m.).
Join online via Zoom at heartofawareness.org.
Thursday, August 29: 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday’s Book Practice/Study Group continues reading “The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, by the Dalai Lama.” Newcomers welcome. Owning the book isn’t required, a library copy is shared.
Christ Church Lakeside
Sunday, August 25, the church will observe the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, in person and via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. at our normal location. Reverend Jim Powers will be the celebrant and will give the message
Those wishing to gather for brunch following the service will meet at Min Wah Restaurant located in Ajijic.
The next Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution will be held Tuesday, September 10. To help our food program with a monetary donation, or for more information, contact Al Ramos at 332-384-2343, or at his email alramos45 @outlook.com.
Wednesday, August 28, the Bible Study, hosted by Reverend Danny Borkowski will be held on Zoom starting at 1:30 p.m. All are invited to attend as we learn about the inspired contents of the Bible, and share our insights with each other.
For Zoom sign-in information, contact Rev. Borkowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 376-766-2495 for the ID and password.
St. Mark’s Anglican GDL
An international worship community offering the only English-language worship in metro Guadalajara. Sundays at 1:30 p.m. In English with some Spanish readings/music. Rev. James Twyman officiates. Chichimecas 836, corner of Aztecas, Colonia Monraz, Guadalajara. Website: stmarksgdl.com/en; Facebook: stmark44670.
Heritage Baptist Church
We Heritage people love it when our brother David App visits. His sermon last Sunday was full of the spirit and encouragement for us as we wend our way through the adventure of church planting.
“Keep on in your good efforts,” he told us. “You are in the process of building a solid Bible church here. I read your statement of beliefs and covenant on your Heritage website and was impressed. There’s a need for such clear commitment, and your Pastor and his wife demonstrate it in their lives and choices. You are thriving and surviving, and God will certainly multiply your efforts in His good time.”
We say that Jesus chose us, bought us, and owns us. This theory sustains and guides us. What a wonder to be called to plant a true Reformed Baptist church in the midst of Mexico!
Pastor John Linton will officiate at five Heritage baptisms September 7 at our sister church, Puerta Abierta in Chapala. Join us to celebrate this red-letter day.
Heritage has a new home for Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapala American Legion. All are welcome. Visit www.hbcmx.org for more information.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Sunday, August 25, Reverend Christine Wysock will preach and celebrate. The service begins at 10 a.m.
St. Andrew’s live streams Sunday services and sermon highlights and publishes daily inspiration, parish news and events on its Facebook page: St. Andrews Anglican Lake Chapala.
To become part of the parish, contact Rev. James at standrewsparishlakeside @gmail.com. His office hours are Monday and Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, in Riberas del Pilar.
Little Chapel by the Lake
Pastor Thomas will be speaking this Sunday, August 25. A Grace Meal will follow immediately after the 11 a.m. service.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located at Ajijic-Chapala Highway 10 in Chula Vista.
Information: 331-307-0669.
Donations for our 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 via your donations. Clothing distribution has now been extended to the town of Mezcala as well. Our next food distribution to San Juan Tecomatlan will be September 3, meeting at 3 p.m. at the Chapel to carpool to the village.
A Bible study in the book of John 3:16 is Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. “For God, so loved the World...” This week, chapters 3 and 4.
Thursday Bible study at 10 a.m. on Genesis with Pastor Thomas.
The Friday conversational Spanish class has been suspended until further notice.
Saturday’s carwash fundraiser is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Chapel by the boys from Mama Cleo’s boys home, to meet their many financial needs.
Unitarian Universalists
Sunday, August 25, Dee Dee Camhi will present “The Blessings of Abundance” at the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship.
Are we living in a world of scarcity? Too many people living today have this mindset–the apocryphal view that the world is changing—but for the worst. Look at all the negative forces occurring in the world. But also look at all that is positive in the world. Join us to visit this scarcity mindset and analyze the concept of abundance. And all that we have to be grateful for
Priscilla Taylor is the service associate.
September 1 will feature Janice Kimball speaking on “Writing from the Heart “ with service associate Carol Johnson
Sunday service is at noon, at the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s new location at San Luis 19 in Riberas del Pilar.
Jewish Congregation
Rabbi Case and the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation hope you join us as we experiment offering complete Friday and Saturday Shabbat services through August 31.
Every Friday, 6 p.m. (2nd and 4th Friday are pot lucks). Every Saturday Torah service, 10 a.m. (live and via Zoom).
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; website: lakechapalajewishcongregation.com.
Eckankar in Ajijic
Experience HU—Sacred Sound, Ancient Mantra. Anyone can sing HU, regardless of age or religion. It is a simple technique that can be used to enhance your experience of your daily spiritual practice or religion. HU has the power to uplift you spiritually for inner peace, healing, and insight. Join us for a Sound of Soul event every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 2:30 to 4:00 p,m, at Garden for Dreams Hotel, Constitucion 105, Ajijic. Experience a HU chant with others for 20-minutes followed by a spiritual discussion.
Organized by students of Eckankar in Ajijic. Information: eckankar.org or (52)669-431-8484.
Abundant Life Church
Have you ever felt that some things were just too big to get over? There are mistakes that we make in our lives that mark us forever and our sins can and do put a wall between us and God. What if that wall could be changed into a door that we could walk through? Come this Sunday, August 25, as we calculate the incredible cost of sin and thereby understand the overwhelming love and forgiveness offered in Jesus.
Abundant Life is affiliated with the Assemblies of God of Mexico. Weekly Sunday worship services in English start at 10:30 a.m. Services are on the Facebook page as well as the YouTube channel. The English services schedule is at abuntandtlifechapala.com. Carretera 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Hard Sayings of the Bible: “ The Sin that Cannot be Forgiven,” Matthew 12:31-32.
Is there a sin that cannot be forgiven? 1 John 1:7 seems to indicate that there is not. “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” So that is our starting point. It would appear that all sin is forgivable.
But in our verses Jesus talks about a notable exception, the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What is this sin, and have we committed it? Let us look at this together.
Sunday English-language services are at 9:30 a.m. The English-language service also streams live at facebook.com/LPCChapala. Spanish service begins at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome to Wednesday drop-in Bible study. Calle San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar, just south of Mom’s Restaurant, toward the lake.
Seventh-Day Adventist
The Lakeside Chapala Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to share a good time together every Saturday, 10 a.m. for fellowship and singing. 10:30 a.m. for a shared biblical study and at 11:30 a.m. the main worship service.
Information: www.LakesideChapalaSDA.org.
Carretera Chapala-Ajijic No. 10, Fracc. Chula Vista, Chapala.
Christian Science Group
You are invited to attend our Testimony Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at noon at Cinco de Mayo 3, Ajijic. The one-hour meeting begins with readings from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook “Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, followed by testimonies of spiritual healing that have resulted from the study and practice of Christian Science. For more information visit christianscienceajijic.org or call 331-155-4733.
Judea de Jalisco
Judea de Jalisco is an alternative, Mexican and expat/immigrant, LBGTQA+ welcoming, faith-based community for spiritual and social events, where Jewish ethics/values, music, laughter and food are highlighted. Email email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Grace Church Chapala
Grace Church Chapala is a Christian Church located in the Bravo Theatre building at 441 Hidalgo in Riberas del Pilar. We welcome you to worship Jesus Christ with us on Sunday’s at 10 a.m. Our praise music is a contemporary style. Information: GraceChapalamx.church., tel. 333-399-1501.
Mezcala Christian Church
Pastor Lionel Sanchez and other area Christian pastors share and teach the love of Jesus every Saturday, 10 a.m. A delicious Grace meal is provided after every service. Transportation or carpooling at 9:15 a.m. from Walmart, Little Chapel by the Lake or Soriana parking lots available. Contact 970-219-5983 in advance via WhatsApp FaceTime or messenger.
Community Fellowship
Independencia 159, (next to Fenix Realty), San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Sunday service, 10 a.m.; Ladies Bible study, Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Men’s Bible study, Thursday, 10 a.m. Information: 332-208-9263.
San Andres Catholic
Marcos Castellanos 14, Centro, Ajijic. English Mass Sundays, 9 a.m. Information: Rose, +423-312-7468.
Sn Juan Bautista Catholic
English Mass, Sundays 9 a.m. Del Cardenal 25, Raquet Club, San Juan Cosala.
Calle Hidalgo 251-B Mezcala (green building with burgundy cross).