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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Approximately how far did Mary travel to visit Elizabeth?
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
The great prophet Phil Collins once proclaimed, “I can feel it coming in the air tonight…” I’ve had a similar feeling lately, though admittedly with less eagerness than Phil, since he only seemed to notice his in the evening, and had apparently waited his whole life for it. The feeling I have has to do with the air around me though, and as such, the chorus of this song echoes in my head every time I get out of a chair and walk across a room.
In my case it’s the dryness of the air as winter begins to come to full throttle. And every time I reach for a doorknob, light switch, car handle, computer keyboard, bathroom or kitchen faucet, etc, I can hear that iconic DA-DUM DA-DUM DA-DUM DA-DUM DUM DUM! drum riff. There definitely IS something in the air! (I think they’re called electrons, but I’m a pastor, not a scientist!). You know what is NOT in the air? Humidity!
A few short months ago we were losing our minds trying to wring the oppressive humidity OUT of the air. Now, no amount of humidifiers and lotions can correct the damage of spending 30 minutes outside shoveling the driveway in the cold wind!
But my goodness does it make me appreciate good hydration! I need it for my throat, my eyes, the skin on my knuckles, the houseplants, the guitars and pianos, the pets…who/what does NOT need water?
Psalm 146:3 says: “I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land!”
That’s the anticipation of these few weeks before CHRISTmas…we are all making lists and aware of stuff that is lacking in our lives. We all have a sense of feeling at least a tiny bit parched. Friends, I pray that in the next few weeks, you will find fullness and life as you thirst for and look forward to the celebration of CHRISTmas and the real reason none of us ever need to thirst again.
While you’re waiting, please come join us as we all spread out our hands to Him in worship this Sunday at 10:30am at 4141East Hillandale, just like (almost!) every Sunday. Come thirsty! (…and grab a little coffee on your way in if you need to)
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
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
December 21
No Ed Hour – Christmas Break
– 10:30am – Christmas Songs, Carols, Hymns and Advent #4 sermon
– 6pm – High School Ministry
December 24
5:30pm – Candlelight Service
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
No Student Ministry in evening – Christmas Break
January 7, 2026 – 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
** 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.
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
** NOTE ** There will be no Student Ministries on December 28 and January 4 due to Christmas Break. Student Ministries will resume on January 11.
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 30, 2025
No Offering info – Service was cancelled.
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.
Thanksgiving Offerings
Because of the cancellation of Thanksgiving worship last week we are extending the time in which people may give to Thanksgiving causes: Ministry With Community (local) , Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners (local), TEE (Our Sister Church in Honduras) (international). Just mark your gift accordingly.
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
100 Miles
