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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 Humor
How did the Ark get light inside?
Look below for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Happy New Year, everyone! As we all grapple with resolutions and adjusting to writing the number 2026 on everything, the Christmas season is shrinking in the rearview mirror pretty quickly. On the other hand, during my dark, early-morning drives to take the kids to school and come into church these past few days, I have been blessed by the amount of houses that still have Christmas lights glowing both outside and inside.
This Tuesday, January 6, was Epiphany, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the day on which the worldwide Christian Church officially celebrates the arrival of the Magi (“Wise Men”) from the East to visit baby Jesus…and it is traditionally the conclusion of the Christmas season. But even though that date has now come and gone, it always feels tricky to know when to power everything down and put the decorations away when the season those decorations represent carries a message of “good news of great joy for all the people!” like the angels promised to the shepherds in the Christmas story (Luke 2:10).
We’re changing the seasonal decorations at Southern Heights this week for logistical reasons, and so we’re ready for the next season. And I suspect some of you will be doing the same in the coming days. BUT…I think at the Eckstein residence, we’re going to keep the lights on for another couple weeks. Eh, so maybe it’s technically not Christmas anymore. But Jesus IS still The Light of the world! (John 8:12) And the world just feels too dark and dreary right now. The sparkly lights don’t look quite as charming when the snow gets melty and brown and muddy…but the world needs more light. I think we’ll lend a little.
It’s January, friends. If you’re feeling dreary, we’ve got light at Southern Heights. 10:30am every Sunday morning. I genuinely hope you will join us! (…and if you do, I’d love to meet you!). See you soon!
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.y
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 – 5:30 – 7:30pm – Chili Cookoff (& Mission Fundraiser)
Jan 25
– 9-10am – Education Hour
– 10:30am – Worship Gathering
– Noon – Pizza with the Pastor
– 6pm Middle School
PASTOR TODD INVITES YOU TO READ THE BIBLE TOGETHER
Just click this link to join the group.
(Must be on a mobile device)
Hey friends!
If you’re looking for a worthwhile New Year’s resolution, how about reading through the whole Bible?
We’ve tried this a few different ways before, and it seems like rigorous pace is the hardest thing to keep up with for those trying this for the first time. THIS PLAN IS MEANT FOR BEGINNERS OR THOSE WHO JUST LIKE TO TAKE THINGS SLOW AND STEADY! Seriously… it will take nearly 3 years to complete the whole thing, but it will only be one chapter each day (except for a few times when there are two or three teeny little Psalms on the same day). Literally ANYONE can do this! And it’s The Word of God… so it’ll be a delight song the way!
Let’s read The Word together!
This plan is broken into quarters, so we’ll drop a link for each new quarter just before it starts, and new people can join in at any point along the way! Here’s a link to the first one:
(FYI: in order to read this together, you’ll have to open this on the Bible app on a phone or tablet…)
A Chapter A Day: Reading The Bible In 3 Years (Year 1, Quarter 1):
https://bible.com/reading-
The other great thing to do to start the new year is get thee to church ;). We gather every Sunday morning at 10:30am at 4141 East Hillandale, and there’ll always be a place for you with us! See you soon!
Pastor todd <><
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.
Chili Cook-Off (and Mission Fundraiser)
January 24 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
What a fun thing to do on a cold January Saturday. Come and enjoy all different kinds of chili, cornbread, desserts, and lots of fixin’s. And also donate for a good cause – our Summer Mission Trip to Honduras.
Do you want to enter your chili recipe for a chance to win a prize? Click on the link below to sign up for Chili. Then you bring your famous chili recipe and the judges will determine the best-of-the-best chili that evening.
Do you want to help with the “Fixin’s” (we need help with a few things). Click on the same link below to sign up to bring Cornbread, Crackers or a Beverage.
Do you want to just come and eat chili? Just show up at 5:30pm on January 24. We have a seat for you.
We might just play an fun, easy game or two and the Mission Team will be taking care of dessert.
This will be such a fun time. You will not want to miss it. See you on January 24th.
HERE IS THE LINK TO SIGN UP FOR CHILI or FIXIN’S.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AACAB2FA1FB6-61477889-chili
PIZZA WITH THE PASTOR
Sunday, January 25
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 January 25. 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
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.
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 January 4, 2026
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 Bible Humor
They used FLOOD-lights.
