COMING EVENTS
CARD NIGHT
There will be a card night at 7:00 on Monday, Feb. 13
YOUTH NIGHT
The next youth activity will Feb 18th from 1:00-2:00 as part of the "BIG CHILL" activities that weekend.
"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."
GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
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CHURCH LIBRARY
Heather and Marcia are developing a Church library. They are looking for donations of books to develop a church lending library. If you have appropriate books, Cd's or DVD's please contact Heather or Marcia.
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Welcome to Topinabee Community Church. Our mission is simple – to help people develop and maintain an intimate relationship with God. We are a non-denominational church made up of people from a wide variety of religious backgrounds.
We are not perfect, but we are all genuinely seeking a way to celebrate what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. We believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
We hope you will have the opportunity to join us as we enjoy fellowship with God. You will be welcomed, accepted as you are, and encouraged to grow in Christ.
PAUL AND NANCY SING A GREAT DUET
BOB ORGANIZES THE FOOD FOR ANOTHER GREAT POTLUCK

THE SITE BELOW CONTAINS A BEAUTIFUL NEW YEARS PRAYER AND SONG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x91rBzNKvlc&NR=1
THE MUSIC ON THE SITE BELOW IS THE SONG SUNG BY NANCY, HEATHER, PAUL AND MARTIN IN CHURCH CHRISTMAS MORNING

http://www.heathersharmony.net/resources/Have%20you%20heard%20the%20newfulllengths.mp3
 
The Choir performs the Christmas Contata
AND THEN IT WAS WINTER
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and
catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was
young, just married and embarking on my new life
with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like
eons ago, and I wonder where all the years
went.
I know that I lived them all...
And
I have glimpses of how it was back then and of
all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the
winter of my life and it catches me by
surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where
did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well...seeing older people
through the years and thinking that those older
people were years away from me and that winter
was so far off that I could not fathom it or
imagine fully what it would be like...
But, here it is...my friends are retired and
getting gray...they move slower and I see an
older person now. Some are in better and some
worse shape than me. But, I see the great
change... Not like the ones that I
remember who were young and vibrant... But, like
me, their age is beginning to show and we are
now those older folks that we used to see and
never thought we'd be.
Each day
now, I find that just getting a shower is a real
target for the day! And taking a nap is
not a treat anymore...it's mandatory!
Cause if I don't on my own free will..I just
fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now
I am into this new season of my life
unprepared for all the aches and pains and the
loss of strength and ability to go and do things
that I wish I had done but never did!!
But, at least I know, that though the
winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it
will last...this I know, that when it's
over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There
are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I
should have done, but indeed, there are many
things I'm happy to have done. It's all in
a lifetime....
So, if you're not in your
winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be
here faster than you think. So, whatever you
would like to accomplish in your life please do
it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So,
do what you can today, as you can never be sure
whether this is your winter or not!
There is no promise that you will
see all the seasons of your life...so, enjoy
each day and
Say the important things you want to
be remembered..
'Life is a gift to you, and the way you
live is your gift to GOD and
others.
Happy
New Year !
Have
a Christ filled 2012
...........
'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.' -Maya Angelow
LARGEST PICTURE OF THE RESURRECTION
http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS
Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.
Maya Angelou said this:
'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'
DEBBIES BOOK
Debbie Chapoton has written a book Crossing the Scriptures based on her Bible Study Class. If you would like to purchase this book go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Scriptures-Amazing-Bible-Study/dp/1461123976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=13076488
NEW MEMBERS
New members enjoy cake provided in their honor. Welcome to Bob and Debbie Schwartz and Ashley and Chloe, Jon and Janet Vance, John Sheneman and Marie Espinoza.
BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT OF AMAZING GRACE
http://www.clarrissegill.com/videoclips/amazing_grace.php
A Poem Worth Reading
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!!
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
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CHURCH SCHEDULE
SUNDAY
10:30 Worship and Praise
Jan. 29th "Bodies in Motion: Learning the Way"
Mark 1:21-28
The first Sunday of the month is communion and church members bring food to donate to the food bank.
Nursery Provided
Choir Practice
Thursday's at 6:30 and Sunday's at 9:30
Rev. Dinner will have office hours on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3-5 PM To reach him by phone or to make an appointment call
231-238-8161 (Church)
231-597-9303
When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30. The next meeting will be Feb 8th. The minutes of the Council meetings can be found under the Council tab on this page of the web site.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JANUARY
8-Alice Burnett
14-Julia Parker
15-Bob Walter
15-Denise King
19-Andrew Ridley
25-Andrew/Andrea Duncan
25-Bob Schwartz
26-Barbara Shade
30-Darby Rcheleau
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

JANUARY
22-Marilyn and Dan Bower
27-Nancy and Jim Valrance
28- Kathy and Mike Sanders
30-Caren and Bob Zimmerman (1972)
30- Kay and Don Hinman
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Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees a dad
who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who
told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere there in the crowd
of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was a right.
And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.
You see he is an American Soldier
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
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