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
Which disciple replaced Judas Iscariot after Jesus’ resurrection?
A) Matthias
B) Matthew
C) Joseph the righteous
D) Saul
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
PASTOR TODD’S WEEKLY WORD
Dear Friends…
I am still thinking about marathons a week after the Kalamazoo Marathon (which caused many of you to need to take alternate routes to church last Sunday, for which I applaud you!). NO, I am not thinking about running one myself. I find it rather bothersome to even DRIVE 26 miles around town, let alone RUN that far! Are you kidding me?! And I don’t find running to be the most enjoyable activity in life either…not even for 2.6miles.
I am thinking about those who DID run the marathon last week though, and the kind of people I have seen run big races before. Because last week’s course curled around Southern Heights from both sides, I got multiple glimpses of some of these warriors around mile markers 8 and 10. Some of them looked like chiseled machines who had trained for this their whole lives, attacking the course and hardly breaking a sweat in their fancy, aerodynamic, color-coordinated athletic shells. Some looked like they’d done this enough times that they weren’t out to prove anything to anyone, they were just having fun, chatting, wearing their favorite running t-shirts and enjoying the cooler temps. And some looked like every step was an act of sheer willpower, a determination and commitment to finish what they started.
This last group covered every age and every weight class. Some of them ran alone, and some with a friend or what seemed to be a coach or cheerleader. But every single step was another decision to continue the race or not. After running 10 miles, there are a lot of people that fit this description. And this is not even the halfway point of the marathon! But you know what? Watching people like that take steps like that is unbelievably inspiring!!! It’s exciting to watch someone exceptionally normal repeatedly decide to do something I think looks rough, impossible, or maybe a little crazy. I think I borrow a little hope from their perseverance. If THAT person can do that thing, surely I can do this thing I’ve been avoiding.
Maybe that’s why Jesus’ followers are so comforting too. Those guys were NOT always the sharpest crayons in the box, and they certainly made some mistakes…really big ones. But they somehow came through their mess OK and did some great work for the Kingdom of God in the end. If THOSE guys can do it, surely I am not TOTALLY without hope.
And honestly, if you have a desire to be around some more exceptionally normal people just doing our best to honor and live for Jesus in this world, step by step and moment by moment, you’ll find the Southern Heights family a really nice fit for you and yours. We meet every Sunday morning at 10:30am at 4141 East Hillandale. We’ll save you a seat in the “normal people” section (FYI, that’s the only section we’ve got!). See you then!
His…Pastor todd <><
Upcoming Events at Southern Heights
These are highlights only. CLICK HERE to see the calendar for a full listing.
May 11 – Mother’s Day
May 14 – Last meeting for Men’s and Women’s Ministry – 6pm
(Note – No pizza at 5:15 – there will be a special dinner at 6pm)
May 18 – Student Ministry and Graduation Sunday
May 25 – Volunteer Appreciation Sunday
June 1 – 9:30am to 10:00 am – Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners
June 8 – Congregational meeting to vote on Elders and Deacons
Mother’s Day
Join us on Sunday, May 11, and help us honor our Mothers.
Graduation & Student Ministry Sunday – May 18
We will have a special gathering on Sunday, May 18, to highlight our Student Ministries and especially honor our graduates from High School and all levels of education.
DO YOU KNOW ANY GRADUATES?
Graduation season is approaching and we want to recognize and honor all of our graduates. Do you know any? If you know a graduate from High School, College, Trade School, or other post-graduate education, please let us know at the office – shcrc1@gmail.com. We don’t want to miss anyone, so if you’re not sure – send us the name anyway – we can check. Thanks and have a wonderful Graduation Season.
Volunteer Appreciation Sunday – May 25
Southern Heights wouldn’t be Southern Heights without our amazing volunteers. We want to celebrate YOU! All the tireless work out front and behind the scenes is noticed and appreciated. Come and be recognized and stay after for some root-beer floats because we need all of YOU to stay A-FLOAT!
Congregational Meeting – June 8
Immediately after the worship gathering on Sunday, June 8 we will have a short congregational meeting to vote on the new Elders and Deacons. Their names will be sent in an earlier email. If you have any questions, please contact the office at shcrc1@gmail.com.
A Good Scripture to Memorize
Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners
June 1 – 9:30am to 10:00am
We are beginning a partnership with the Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners. This organization gathers food from local farms then packages and distributes that food to people and organizations that are in need of food. The Gleaners are in need of volunteers to help prepare and package the food for shipment.
On June 1 a representative from the Gleaners will be at Southern Heights to talk about the ministry and how we can partner together. We hope you will join us on June 1 as we begin this journey.
Here is a short introductory video…
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY!
Adult Fiction:
All That We Carried by Erin Bartels
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury
Everything She Didn’t Say by Jane Kirkpatrick
A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen
The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis
The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragon
The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers
Adult Non-Fiction:
Pilgrimage by Lynn Austin
– My Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
– Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Hidden Treasures by Robin Bertram
– Finding Hope at the End of Life’s Journey
It’s Okay About It by Lauren Casper
– Lessons from a Remarkable Five-Year- Old about Living Life Wide Open
They Like Jesus But Not the Church by Dan Kimball
– Insights from Emerging Generations
Grace by Max Lucado
– More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love by Thomas A. Tarrants
– How a Violent Klansman Became a Champion of Racial Reconciliation
Kids Books:
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Jago – a devotional
Beginning Sunday, May 4, on tables near the library, there will be books, CDs, and DVDs that have been
weeded from the library. All are free to a good home! After several weeks, anything remaining will be
donated to a charitable organization.
We also have a selection of Astronomy and Smithsonian magazines in the library graciously donated by
Larry Kopta. There is no need to check these out; just read and enjoy!
Wednesday Ministries
– May 14 – Last Meeting – only 6pm
(no pizza at 5:15pm due to last meeting special activities)
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 May 4, 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
Answer A) Matthias was Judas’ replacement.
Like the other apostles, Matthias also witnessed the resurrection.
See: Acts 1:21-26
