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
True or False: Jesus was an only child (while He was on earth).
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Dear Friends (if you’re reading this, that means you)…
In this space last week, I encouraged silence, listening, waiting. There have been a lot of words to hear in our world this week. In the midst of all of that, I have not heard anyone quote these words of Jesus:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
As I said last week, there IS a time to be silent and listen. But there is also a time to speak. I think today, the Word that needs speaking needs speaking in prayer to God…so let me offer some suggestions…
Pray for victims of senseless violence…
Pray for the families of those victims…
Pray for the unthinkable trauma experienced by those who witnessed such events…
Pray for the souls of those who committed these acts of evil…
Pray for our own hearts and minds, and those of our children and grandchildren, who can watch and rewatch these traumas online now, and they aren’t just Hollywood fiction anymore…
Pray for all of the law enforcement officers who have had to immerse themselves in the dark details of these events…that God would grant them wisdom for their work, and supernatural peace and rest in the midst of it.
Pray for all who have been drawn toward God through these past few weeks, that God will be close to them, grow them, and grow His Kingdom on earth through them!
Pray for all whose faith in God has been shaken, that He will remind them that He is always God.
Pray that MANY who have never given the One True God a second thought will see the unhateful, non-reactive, grace-filled, enemy-loving witness of Christian believers…and be irresistibly drawn to Him!
That’s the assignment for this week. Quiet time is over. But don’t just turn quiet time into noise. It’s time to pray.
We need prayer. Our nation needs prayer. But our church does too. We’re coming to the Communion Table together this Sunday during worship. God’s Word is pretty clear that we’re to come to the Table kinda “ready”. So be in prayer this week, and we’ll see you Sunday morning at 10:30am at 4141 East Hillandale (just like every Sunday).
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
September 21
– 9am – Education Hour – Middle School High School & Adults
– 10:30am – Worship – Communion
– Honduras Mission Trip Meeting after worship
– 6pm – High School Ministry
September 28
– 9am – Education Hour – Middle School, High School & Adults
– 10:30am – Worship
– Pizza with the Pastor after worship
– 6pm – Middle School Ministry
October 1 – 1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
– 10am – Women’s Ministry
– 5:15pm – Pizza dinner
– 6pm – Gems/Cadets – with special kickoff campfire
– 6pm – Men’s Women’s Ministry
October 5
– 9am – Education Hour – Middle School, High School & Adults
– 9am – Special Adult Session – Author Dave Larsen
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering – 3 Professions of Faith
– 6pm – High School Ministry
2026 Honduras Mission Trip Planning Meeting
Sept 21 after worship
The Outreach team is planning a mission trip to Honduras for June 15-22, 2026!
This trip will focus on connecting with Gathering Hearts and TEE Church and doing discipleship training, sharing faith and ministering to students and young people, offering a Vacation Bible School experience, and working with teachers. If you are interested in being a participant or just want to learn more, we invite you to the next planning meeting on Sunday, September 21, after the service in the Student Room downstairs. Adults ages 18+ are welcome and students ages 13-17 are welcome to attend with a parent. We will need to finalize our list of participants in early October. Contact Luke Deubner (269-207-1885) if you have any questions.
Education Hour – Sundays 9-10am
Ed Hour takes place on Sundays from 9-10am.
Adults meet in the conference room.
High school and Middle school begin Ed Hour in the Student Room and then have separate classes.
Deepen your faith and knowledge while having a meaningful time with your church family.
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October 5 at 9am will be a special session for Adult Study in the Fellowship Hall
Author Dave Larsen (Karen Merchant’s Brother) to speak about his recent book Green Street in Black and White – A Chicago Story (Click the image for a larger version)
Student LIFE Ministries
Sundays from 6-8pm are for Students.
High School – 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays
Middle School – 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays.
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!
Dine with Nine
Dine with Nine is an opportunity for new people and regulars to get to know one another better over a nice meal.
Right now, there are sign up cards on the information table in the lobby. Sign up and return in the card in one of the offering boxes. We are excited to try this new, fun way to meet and get to know each other.
PIZZA WITH THE PASTOR
Sunday, September 28
If you are new around Southern Heights, Pastor Todd wants to meet with you and share lunch – on us. Join him for some pizza immediately after worship on September 28. You can ask questions if you want, or just chat and have a nice lunch. Contact the office (shcrc1@gmail.com) if you are interested so we can order the right amount of pizza.
(Also let us know if you have any food restrictions.)
A Good Scripture to Memorize
Would you be interested in a Shipshewana Christmas Lights tour?
The SHENANIGANS team is wondering who might be interested. Here is what we are thinking…
Monday, December 1 (other dates are possible), leave at 3pm in a caravan of mini-vans.
Go to Blue Gate in Shipshewana for dinner.
Then tour the “Lights of Joy” Christmas Lights car tour at 6pm.
Be back to church by 8pm (ish).
Cost $15 per person.
If you are interested, please sign the “Interested List” on the Lobby Info Table. These plans are not set in stone yet and details may change, but we need to know who is interested to figure out next steps.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Men ages 18+ are invited to join the fall season of Men’s Ministry with a book study on “Soul Keeping” by John Ortberg! Connect with other men as we share our lives and spiritual journeys and learn from this book. Sign up to reserve a spot and a book for $5. Meetings are 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Questions? Contact Luke Deubner or Tom Bos.
Do You Volunteer Somewhere?
If you do – send us a picture like this…
We know there are a lot of Southern Heights family who volunteer at organizations around Kalamazoo. If you are one of those people, we are asking you to take a picture of yourself with the sign of your organization in the background (See above for Cheryl Kemink’s inspiriation). We are gathering these for a special service coming up in October so send the pictures soon to Jeff Baas at jmbaas1@gmail.com. This is a good chance to represent your organization.
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 September 14, 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
FALSE:
According to Matthew and Mark, he had 4 brothers (James, Joseph, Simon and Judas) and at least 2 sisters. (Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55) Luke also says Jesus had brothers and sisters, but do not name them.
