WELCOME TO
Our Online Bulletin
Join us for worship on Sundays at 10:30am
HAPPENINGS is found any time on our website at www.s-heights.org/happenings.
Once per week HAPPENINGS will be emailed to everyone on our email list.
email us at shcrc1@gmail.com if you want to be on the email list.
Holiday Trivia
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On the third Sunday in Advent, we light a pink candle in the Advent wreath. Why?
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
‘Tis the season…for music we only listen to for a few short weeks. Some of it has been around for decades, and takes us back to an era many of us never actually knew in person. And so much of the newer stuff is just modern artists trying to recapture the magic of those oldies with their own spin. But every so often, a newer tune pops up that captures the full power, beauty, and electricity of Christmas.
One of my favorites to crank up and sing my heart out to every year is Matt Maher’s song “Hope For Everyone“. It’s been out for 7 years already, but it is just as good as ever!
This song is easy to get excited about because its message is THE Message: no matter who you are, what you are, where you’ve come from, what you’ve been through, or what you have to offer, there is hope! And the Hope that showed up in the manger drew the enthusiastic, resounding applause of heaven BECAUSE He was so obviously a Hope for EVERYone! It doesn’t get old, friends!
Whoever you are, there’s certainly room for you in the word “everyone”! And that means the gift of Hope is for you! And I promise there’s also room for you at Southern Heights this Sunday, where we’re going to tell the story of that Hope like you’ve never seen it before! The celebration starts on Sunday at 10:30am at 4141 East Hillandale, just like every Sunday. We’ve got room for you…and we ALL need it! See you then!
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
December 14
No Ed Hour (Christmas program rehearsals)
– 10:30am – CHRISTMAS PROGRAM – MANGER TALES
– Noon – Cookie Sharing Time (in the lobby)
– 6pm – Middle School Ministry
December 17– 1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
– 10am – Women’s Ministry
– 5:15pm – Pizza dinner
– 6pm – Gems/Cadets, Men’s Women’s Ministry
December 21
No Ed Hour – Christmas Break
– 10:30am – Christmas Songs, Carols, Hymns and Advent #4 sermon
– 6pm – High School Ministry at the Burrows house
December 24
5:30pm – Candlelight Service
Note – Family worship – No Nursery Provided
December 28
No Ed Hour – Christmas Break
– 10:30 – Guest Pastor – Dan Roels
No Student Ministry in evening – Christmas Break
January 4, 2026
– 9-10am – Education Hour for Middle/High School and Adults
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering – Guest Pastor Jeff Fernandez
– 6pm – High School Ministry in evening
January 7, 2026 – 1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
– 10am – Women’s Ministry
– 5:15pm – Pizza dinner
– 6pm – Gems/Cadets, Men’s Women’s Ministry
January 11, 2026
– 9-10am – Education Hour for Adults only (MS and HS will be at Spring Hill Camp)
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering – Communion
No Middle School Ministry in evening (Spring Hill Camp)
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree is up and ready. A Christmas tree – decorated with tags – will be set up in our lobby. Each tag represents a gift or gift card that is truly needed by someone who is struggling this Christmas. You may take as many tags as you wish but please buy and bring back the gifts for all tags you take.
Gifts are to be returned to the church unwrapped and with the tags from the tree attached. Gift cards – with tags attached – can be placed in the gift bag that is hanging on the tree.
All gifts must be placed under the tree no later than Sunday, Dec 14.
Please call the church office or contact Doug Lenning or Deb Bos if you have any questions.
2025 Christmas Program
December 14, 2025 – 10:30am
We are excited to announce our 2025 Christmas Program, “Manger Tales”. Come and see all the characters, animals, songs, dances, videos, bands – everything hosted by our own Keean and Jane as they lead us on an incredible journey (all while doing a morning talk-show). So much to see and hear and it is all to spread the word about Jesus. Bring your family and friends and join us December 14.
WE NEED COOKIES – On Dec 14
December 14, after the Christmas Program, we want to gather in the lobby and have Christmas Cookies, but we NEED CHRISTMAS COOKIES to do that. Can you bake a dozen or two batches of Christmas Cookies and bring them to the Christmas Program Sunday. We’ll have tables out and share in the goodness of many many cookies from many many bakers. What a great way to celebrate Christmas and all the friends and family that will gather that day. Thank you!!
***Important Note*** When you bring the cookies on Sunday, please cover them.
We want the cookies for AFTER the Christmas Program.
If they are covered it will remind people not to eat them till after the program. Thanks.
Advent Devotional
If you would like to join with others in an Advent devotional reading plan. Just click on this link…
(You must be on a mobile phone for the link to work)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24th from 5:30 to 6:15 pm
This will be a family service – no Nursery will be provided.
A Good Scripture to Memorize
2026 Budget was Approved
At the congregational meeting last Sunday, the 2026 budget was voted on and approved. The vote was unanimous. Thank you all for your generous giving and your stewardship of God’s blessings.
Education Hour – Sundays 9-10am
** NOTE ** There will be no Education Hour on December 14, 21, and 28 due to Christmas Program rehearsals and then Christmas Break. Ed Hour will resume January 4.
Ed Hour takes place on Sundays from 9-10am.
High school and Middle school begin Ed Hour in the Student Room and then have separate classes.
1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
10:00am – Women’s ministry meets in the conference room.
5:15pm – light supper of pizza and chips and cookies.
6pm we will have GEMS (1st -5th grade girls) and Cadets (1st to 5th grade boys), and Women’s Ministry (Same lesson as 10am) and Men’s Ministry. Bring your friends!
Student LIFE Ministries
** NOTE ** There will be no Student Ministries on December 28 due to Christmas Break. Student Ministries will resume on January 4.
Sundays from 6-8pm are for Students.
High School – 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays
Middle School – 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY!
Fiction
The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin
The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels
Written in Love, The Promise of a Letter, & Words from the Heart by Kathleen Fuller – 3 books in the Amish Letters series
When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury
In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee
If It Rains by Jennifer L. Wright
Non-Fiction
Winning the Heart of Your Child – 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids by Mike Berry
Good Man – An Honest Journey into Discovering who Men were Actually Created to Be by Nathan Clarkson
Anxious For Nothing – Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado
Convicted – An Innocent Man, the Cop who Framed Him, and an Unlikely Journey of Forgiveness and Friendship by Jameel McGee & Andrew Collins
Lord, Have Mercy – Help and Hope for Moms on Their Last Nerve by Ellen Miller
Finding Quiet – My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace by J.P. Moreland
Not In It to Win It – Why Choosing Sides Sidelines the Church by Andy
Have a Praise or Prayer Request?
Click on this prayer prompter image or email deborahbos2@gmail.com and your prayer or praise will be included in our weekly Prayer Prompter, which is received and prayed over by many in our Southern Heights family. Tell us if your request is confidential and it will only be shared with elders and staff, who will confidentially pray for you.
Your Offerings to God
as of December 7, 2025
If you have questions about your giving, want a copy of your statement, please email our Treasurer, Jeff Baas at jmbaas1@gmail.com.
Free & Confidential Counseling is Available
If you feel the need to talk to a professional counselor, we have a confidential Church Assistance Program (CAP) with Pine Rest Mental Health Services. To get started – or for more info – call 616.455.6210 or 800.442.0809 and mention our Southern Heights CAP membership when you do.
Answer to Holiday Trivia
Pink (or rose) is a color of joy.
