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 Trivia
What does the title “Emmanuel” mean?
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Dear Friends,
Perhaps it’s because I was raised by older parents, or maybe I am just getting kinda old myself, but I am a total sucker for classic Christmas music. And by that, I mean stuff from the era of Burl Ives, Julie Andrews, & Bing Crosby. When Bing sings “Oh There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays,” the “home” he’s singing about has come to represent something more than just a specific piece of real estate or even a specific set of people. That song, in his relaxed, buttery-smooth tones creates a familiar, “home” sort of feeling all on its own.
In fact, that song came over my speakers once last week, and I was struck by the difference between that relaxed, smooth, easy, Bing Crosby sound and the music that has been created and produced since his era. Not to take anything away from The Jackson 5 or Mariah Carey or Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Pentatonix (all of whom I also love!) but every era since Bing’s has seemed to try to push the limits of vocals and sound and possibility in their creation of music and celebration of Christmas. Burl & Julie & Bing just made it look easy.
How’s your Christmas prep going? Are you striving and reaching and stretching your limits? Who are you watching who makes it look easy? These people might just be really good at pretending things are easy but they’re actually living hugely-stressed lives right now. OR…they might be making it LOOK easy because they are being intentional about what they can and can’t do and setting real good boundaries this year. Either way, pray for those who make it look easy…they need it!
And however intense, difficult, easy, complicated, busy, exciting, or overbooked your next week or so might be, please note this: the Lord of the universe loved you enough to step INTO a human body! That is NOT a simple thing, though He did make it look kinda easy. It is worth you and I stopping everything else we’re doing, just to admire and try to take it in! CHRISTmas is one of the best times of the year to do precisely that. Join us for worship at Southern Heights at 4141 East Hillandale, at 10:30am this Sunday just like every Sunday, and then at 5:30pm on CHRISTmas Eve for a short candlelight service.
We worship Jesus Christ, the newborn Prince of Peace! And I hope you will be here to sing and worship with us! See you soon!
His…Pastor todd <><
MERRY CHRISTMAS in KINYARWANDA
This past Sunday, Pastor Todd gave us a challenge. To learn to say “Merry Christmas” in Kinyarwanda. This is the language that is spoken by our friends of “Vision of Hope and Praise” Church that meets Sunday afternoons in the sanctuary. We would like to say “Merry Christmas” to them in their own language.
HERE IT IS!
“Noheri” means “Christmas”
“Nziza” means “Beautiful”
So when you say “Noheri nziza” you are saying “Merry Christmas”,
but literally it translates “Christmas Beautiful”. A very nice sentiment.
So practice everyone and say a warm “Merry Christmas” and “Noheri Nziza” to each other.
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
December 22
– Education Hour 9-10am
– 10:30 – Worship Gathering
– Noon to 4pm – Middle School (4th Sunday)
December 24 – Candlelight Service – Tuesday, 5:30 to 6:15pm
December 29 – No Education Hour – Christmas Break
December 29 – Guest Speaker – Pastor Curtis DeVries
December 29 – No Middle or High School in evening – Christmas Break
January 1 – No Wednesday Ministries – Christmas Break
January 5 – No EducationHour – Christmas Break
January 5 – Guest Speaker – Pastor Dan Sarkipato
January 12 – District #4 Potluck
Candlelight Service
Our special Candlelight Service will be held on December 24th from 5:30 to 6:15pm. Join us for a quiet, reflective service ending with a circle of candlelight as each person holds a candle representing the light of Jesus that came into a dark world to save us.
A Good Scripture to Memorize
EDUCATION HOUR
Holiday Schedule
December 22 – Education Hour meets from 9-10am
December 29 – No Education Hour – Christmas Break
January 5 – No Education Hour – Christmas Break
January 12 – Education Hour meets fronm 9-10am
Education Hour is from 9-10am. This is for Middle School, High School and Adults. Come and participate in an in-depth Bible Study lesson for your specific group and learn and grow together in your faith.
High School & Middle School – Start in the Student Room…
Then Middle School will go to another room for class.
Student Ministries
Holiday Schedule
December 22 – Middle School – Noon to 4pm
December 29 – No Meetings – Christmas Break
January 5 – No Meetings – Christmas Break
January 12 – Middle School
Sunday evenings will be dedicated to our Students in High School and Middle School.
They will alternate Sundays with each other.
HIGH SCHOOL GROUP GATHERING [1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays] 6:00 – 8:00 pm
MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUP GATHERING [2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays] 6:00 – 8:00 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesday Ministries
** NOTE ** There will be no Wednesday Ministries on January 1 due to Christmas Break and New Year’s Day.
There is so much activity on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays. It starts in the morning at 10:00am when the Women’s ministry meets in the conference room. Later in the day at 5:15pm there will be a light supper of pizza and chips and cookies. Then at 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!
Your Offerings to God
as of December 8, 2024
SPECIAL NOTE – All 2024 offerings must be received by Sunday, December 29th to be included in the 2024 calendar year.
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.
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.
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 Trivia
Emmanuel means “God With Us”.
