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.
Bible Quiz
Who spoke on the day of Pentecost, with the result that almost 3,000 souls were saved?
A) John
B) Paul
C) Peter
D) Stephen
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
I recently had the privilege of arriving at church just ahead of the neighborhood garbage truck run. As I made my way into church, I paused to watch a few children of one of our neighbors watch in sheer delight at the approach of the garbage truck, mimick some of the truck’s movements as it snatched the various cansisters and dumped them into the back of the truck, and then wave emphatically at the driver (who waved back just as emphatically!) as he drove off. This got me to reminiscing about the days when our kids woke up early and ran to the windows or the front porch at the faintest sound of the approaching garbage truck. What immeasurable joy and wonder!!!
I mention this for two reasons this week. First of all, this idea of watching and waiting eagerly…is precisely what we’re going to be talking about this weekend in church. I submit to you that it MIGHT be even more exciting than garbage day. So…you should come! 10:30am Sunday morning at 4141 East Hillandale, just like every Sunday.
Secondly, it’s that time of the year when the calendar seems to thin out a little. There’s a little more vacationing, traveling, and camping going on for most of us, and a little less same-ness in our schedules. It’s a little easier to get outside, a little easier to breathe, a little easier to move, and therefore a little easier to feel OK about sitting still and resting a little differently when we need to.
For ME – and for this space in Happenings – I have found it a helpful practice to take a rest from writing these “Weekly Word” pieces during the summer, in order to give myself a little more space to just breathe in the summer air and “watch for the garbage trucks” just for the sheer delight of it. So…this will be my final regular Weekly Word until September (or at least until our program year begins).
To be clear, HAPPENINGS will definitely keep happening, and it’ll always be up to date! (that’s kinda the point 🙂 ). It’ll just be a lot less wordy.
You’re welcome. 😉
See yall (back here) in September!
See yall in church on Sunday!
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
May 30 – Senior Breakfast – 9am – LaRues
June 1 – 9:30am to 10:00 am – Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners
June 8 – SUPERBOOK – Summer Children’s Ministry begins
June 8 – Congregational meeting to vote on Elders and Deacons
June 15 – Father’s Day
June 21 – Bean Bag Baseball – and Cookout – 5pm at Southern Heights
June 22 – Installation of Elders and Deacons
June 29 – Communion
July 13-19 – Student Mission Trip to Cleveland
Senior Breakfast (60+)
Friday, May 30 at 9am at LaRue’s Restaurant (6375 Stadium Drive).
RSVP to Marilyn at marilyn@dmboersema.net or 269.220.9254.
LaRue’s doesn’t take credit cards.
SUPERBOOK
Summer Children’s Program
This Summer the children are going to have amazing adventures together as they discover the SUPERBOOK. Superbook is a Bible-based animated series that uses time travel adventures to teach children about biblical accounts and people. The main characters are Chris and Joy, two children, and their robot Gizmo, who travel through time and encounter various figures and events from the Bible.
Can You Help the Children? Could You Lead a Superbook Lesson?
This summer the children of Southern Heights will be “jumping into the Bible” with Superbook. Would you be willing to lead a lesson? Here is what it entails…
Meet with the kids in the nursery. Superbook is a 30 minute Bible story video that the kids will watch while eating a snack. Then there will be a craft or game that goes with the lesson.
It will be a fun time to “train up” our children. Please Click to sign up here or on the information table.
Congregational Meeting – June 8
Immediately after the worship gathering on Sunday, June 8 we will have a short congregational meeting to vote on the new Elders and Deacons. The nominations for Elder are Tom Scheffers and Bill O’Brien. The nominations for Deacon are Diane Earls and Terri Scheffers. If you have any questions, please contact the office at shcrc1@gmail.com.
The Songs We Sing
Over the summer, Pastor Todd will dig into the songs that we currently sing as part of our worship at Southern Heights. We will look at the origins and meaning of the lyrics, where they are found in scripture and how it leads us to a better understanding of worship of Jesus. Join us Sundays at 10:30 over the summer and we will explore these songs together.
Bean Bag Baseball – June 21 – 5pm
The Shenanigans Team is at it again. This time the fun event is “Bean Bag Baseball” – think “cornhole” with baseball rules. This is an event for all ages – really – children to 90+ will have lots of fun together. Saturday, June 21 at 5pm at the church, we start with a cookout (Burgers/hotdogs/brats, watermelon, chips, potato salad, etc.) then we will begin the Bean Bag Baseball game. If you don’t know the game, we will teach you – it is easy and fun.
RSVP on the info table (so we know how much food to prepare)
(Bring your outdoor chairs if you have them)
Student Mission Trip to Cleveland
This Summer from July 13-19 our High School Students and leaders will be going on a mission trip to Cleveland, OH. They will be assisting ministries there in the work of the Gospel. Your Mission Team is:
Students: Paige Burrows, Jane Schreuder, Allison Burrows, Kathryn Earles, Jordan Manni, Grace Van Dyk
Students: Hope Eckstein, Micah Schreuder, Eli Van Zoest
Leaders: Pastor todd Eckstein, Diane Earles, Doug Koning
HOW CAN YOU HELP? GIVE WITH THE ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER!
There are envelopes on a table in the lobby with numbers on them. Take and envelope and put money in the envelope of the number on the front. (or you can round up if you like :-). This will assist the students for the cost of the mission trip. Please turn the envelopes into the offering lockboxes or to the office. Thank you so much!
A Good Scripture to Memorize
Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners
June 1 – 9:30am to 10:00am
We are beginning a partnership with the Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners. This organization gathers food from local farms then packages and distributes that food to people and organizations that are in need of food. The Gleaners are in need of volunteers to help prepare and package the food for shipment.
On June 1 a representative from the Gleaners will be at Southern Heights to talk about the ministry and how we can partner together. We hope you will join us on June 1 as we begin this journey.
Here is a short introductory video…
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 May 25, 2025
If you have questions about your giving, want a copy of your statement, or for a reminder of what your First Fruits estimate is, please email our Treasurer, Jeff Baas at jmbaas1@gmail.com. He is happy to help you.
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 Bible Quiz
Answer C – Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. See Acts 2:14-41.
