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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Where was the first Thanksgiving? (Bonus – what year was it?)
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This Thursday is usually marked by excessive overeating, but of a kind that we all agree is a necessary and appropriate celebration every fourth Thursday of November. Then we try to digest those calories while watching the Lions (never an easy task), and often spend a little time recounting the stuff that’s happened in our lives over the past year for which we’re grateful. Most importantly, Thanksgiving tends to be celebrated among those we haven’t seen in a while, or with whom we only gather once or twice a year. It’s a special occasion!
Because of this, merely arriving at your Thanksgiving destination is a pretty big deal. There always seem to be open arms waiting to offer hugs and greetings, curious questions about what has happened since you were last together. The same is true if you are hosting the big party or if you are kinda stuck at home or in a hospital or something and just can’t get out and about…whoever comes through your door shows up with those same open arms and warm smiles (and usually food)!
Those open arms of greeting and welcome…that’s the good stuff, perhaps the best stuff of real thanksgiving. Can you name one better thing in this life than the idea of the open arms of someone you love eagerly waiting to welcome you, hold you, greet you, know you all over again? The image is rich because we get to live it and practice it in this life, especially on holidays and occasions like Thanksgiving. But this image is best as a reminder that our God stands with open arms, eager to do the same for us:
“He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart…”
-Isaiah 40:11
Do that for someone in your life this week/weekend. Gather them up in your arms while you can, and then carry them close to your heart as everyone heads their separate ways afterward. And do all of the above in the Name of the One who invented all of it (and all of you!). Then come to church and do some more of it! Sunday at 10:30am at 4141 East Hillandale, just like every Sunday. See you there, friends!
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
November 30
– 9am – Ed Hour
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering – Advent #1 – Communion
– 6pm – 5th Sunday – Both HS and MS ministries
December 1 – 3:30 – 8:30pm – Shipshewana Christmas Lights Caravan
December 3– 1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
– 10am – Women’s Ministry
– 5:15pm – Pizza dinner
– 6pm – Gems/Cadets, Men’s Women’s Ministry
December 7
– 9am – Ed Hour
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering
– 11:45am – Congregational Meeting to vote on 2026 Budget
– 6pm – High School Ministry
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
CHURCH FAMILY MEETING
On December 7, immediately after the worship gathering, we will meet to discuss and vote on the 2026 budget. If you have any questions before the meeting, feel free to contact an elder (Bob Mulder, Eric VanHamersveld, Sandy Vroegop, Bill O’Brien, Tom Scheffers).
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!!
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)
A Good Scripture to Memorize
Thanks
The staff of Southern Heights would like to say a big “THANK YOU” for the wonderful recent Love Offering. It was a very thoughtful and generous way to show your appreciation and it really means a lot to each one of us. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to serve God with such a considerate and caring church family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Education Hour – Sundays 9-10am
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.
Adult Bible Study this week will be an advent lesson called “The Wonder of Christmas”
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
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 November 23, 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.
Budget 2026
If you are a regular at Southern Heights, you will know that this is the time we come up with the church family budget for next year. The Council has put together a budget for 2026 and it will be in your lobby mailbox on Sunday. Look it over and on Sunday, December 7 after worship we will have a short congregational meeting to discuss and vote on the budget for next year. Thanks to everyone for their generous giving making all this possible.
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
Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
