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
How many years before Jesus’ birth did Isaiah prophecy that he would be born?
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Empty boxes. My, how our relationship with empty boxes has developed over the past few weeks & days!
First, we received that just-right gift on the front porch, pulled it out of that box, and tossed the box aside, unwanted and unnecessary. But it wasn’t long before we needed that empty box to disguise another gift or two so that we could wrap them nicely and neatly. And by the time you’re reading this, there’s a strong chance, that fancy paper has been torn off of that box again by some eager hands that then dug into the box once more, pulling out its contents, and again casting the empty box aside. And there’s also a decent chance that the box got ripped, sat/stepped on, or purposefully collapsed & flattened to keep the room tidy. It might already be in the recycling bin by now!
Isn’t that crazy? An empty box is the simplest of things. But how central really is that item to this gift-giving season?
If you want to know the REAL value of an empty box, try giving a brand new, fancy toy to a curious toddler. Quite often, the baby will ignore the toy and play with the box :). I think the unreserved joyful play of a small child with an empty box is an excellent picture of the epic joy of our Lord over His creation! For that reason, perhaps the best gift we can bring to anyone anywhere this season is to bring to HIM the “open box” of our own hearts. Wouldn’t it bring the Lord of the universe such delight to fill and decorate and give and open up and reveal our lives to us!!! (that was rhetorical…yes, of course He would!…like a toddler with an empty box on Christmas!)
Friends, if you’re ready to come to him and be filled, I hope you’ll come and be filled with us at 10:30am this Sunday at 4141 East Hillandale, just like every Sunday. Don’t worry if your box is feeling empty…God loves empty boxes! Come worship with us!
His…Pastor todd <><
PS: Speaking of being filled…if you’d like to try reading through the whole Bible together with some other “empty boxes” from our church family over the next few years, click on THIS LINK from a smart phone or tablet. This is a 3-year reading plan on the Bible App, so we’ll go slow and steady, just one chapter per day (occasionally two, when the chapters are short). EVERYONE is welcome!
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
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)
Jan 16 – 9am – Senior Breakfast at LaRue’s
Jan 18
– 9-10am – Education Hour
– 10:30am – Sanctity of Life Sunday
– 6pm High School
Jan 21 – 1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
– 10am – Women’s Ministry
– 5:15pm – Pizza dinner
– 6pm – Gems/Cadets, Men’s Women’s Ministry
Jan 24 – Chili Cookoff (& Mission Fundraiser)
Jan 25
– 9-10am – Education Hour
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering
– Noon – Pizza with the Pastor
– 6pm Middle School
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24th from 5:30 to 6:15 pm
This will be a family service – no Nursery will be provided.
Senior Breakfast (60+)
Friday, January 16 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.
A Good Scripture to Memorize
Education Hour – Sundays 9-10am
** NOTE ** There will be no Education Hour on December 28 due to 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.
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 21, 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
The prophet Isaiah prophesied about Jesus over 700 years before His birth, with specific predictions in the Old Testament book of Isaiah detailing the Messiah’s virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial suffering (Isaiah 53), and glorious reign (Isaiah 9:6)
