Monthly Newsletter for NoHoFUMC

1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
SEPTEMBER 2018
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Fall Kickoff 2018
• Trustees Update
• The Way Forward
• Faith In Action
GOOD NEWS is published monthly by
First United Methodist Church of North
Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Grant Hagiya
Bishop
Rev. James Powell
District Superintendent
Rev. Steven F. Peralta
Senior Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Jeff Thomas
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Outreach Ministries
September has crept up on us…are you ready for the change in the
weather, kids going back to school, the up-turn in meetings and urgency at
work, new season of your favorite television shows, and of course, the
return of college and professional football? Everything begins again in
September…the dog days are over and the team jerseys appear on
Saturdays and Sundays.
Do you have a team jersey? If so, who is your team? I confess that I don’t
really have a football team, but I am a die-hard fan of the Anaheim Angels
(I can’t bring myself to even utter “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.”)
I know, I live in a Dodger town…but I grew up with the Angels. So let me
ask you a question: when I wear my Angels baseball jersey, does that make
me a part of the team? If you wear your Dodgers jersey (or Rams, Kings,
UCLA, or USC jersey), does that make you a part of the team?
When I see someone wearing a jersey, I know that they don’t actually play
for the team. I know they don’t belong to the team. They may love the
team and support the team, but I know that they don’t practice with the
team, train with the team, plan and strategize with the team, or have a
specific role with the team. I know that they are fans of the team; not
team members.
We will be kicking off a series entitled “Are You In?” We will be following
along in the gospel of Mark as Jesus challenged the different
understandings of what made you a part of God’s people. Through it, I
hope that we will understand what makes a member of God’s team (hint:
things like grace, love, and compassion matter more than traditions,
success, power, or heritage.). I think we will see that God sees those
distinctions between who is in and who is out differently than we do.
It is September, and God has some stuff for his team to tackle. Are you in?
In Christ,
Pastor Steve

2. COME AND WORSHIP
For September, we will return to Mark’s gospel to follow Jesus in his ministry, as Pastor Steve begins his
5-week sermon series, Are You In? Throughout the series we will explore what qualifies a person for
inclusion in the Kingdom of God. We will discover that God sees things differently than we do.
September 2 Traditions? Mark 7:1-23
September 9 Ethnicity? Mark 7:24-37
September 16 Ambition? Mark 8:27-38
September 23 Position? Mark 9:30-37
September 30 Social Group? Mark 9:38-50
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP
August 5 - On the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, we enjoyed special music, shared by Libeck &
Shaun. We also shared in the sacrament of communion. Pastor Steve’s sermon, “The Bread of Life:
What Are You Hungering For?” was based on John 6:24-35. The crowds continue to follow Jesus, who
calls them out on their desire for a free meal. But Jesus says that he is the true bread of heaven, and that
those who follow him will never thirst or hunger. Why do you follow Jesus?
August 12 - Pastor Steve shared a message based on John 6:35-51, “The Bread of Life: What Are You
Living For?” Jesus again reiterates that he is the bread of life, come down from heaven…but sounds
weird…it is weird, unless we look at it from the spiritual side rather than the literal side.
August 19 - Pastor Steve’s message for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, was based on John
6:51-58, “The Bread of Life: What Are You Consuming?” Jesus ups the weirdness as he continues to
discuss the Bread of Life. But he introduces the concept of eternal life, and the idea that those who “eat
my flesh and drink my blood” will never die. Have you ever thought that your life could have an eternal
significance?
August 26 - “The Bread of Life: A Difficult Teaching,” was the final part in Pastor Steve’s four part
series. Disciples were saying that his teaching was too difficult. Because of his teaching, many of those
following him left him, but the disciples stick around as they knew no one else had the words of life that
Jesus did. Why do you stick around?
Beginning January 2019, we will be changing how we do
Altar Flowers. For almost a decade, Wendy Ince, has
blessed us by arranging the altar flowers in our brass vases.
Wendy will be focusing her time on work and we thank her
so much for her dedication and sharing her gifts with us.
Flowers will now be arranged by Dee’s Flowers in mache
disposable containers. This means, you will be able to take
home the entire arrangement, and there will be no mess.
There will be an order form in the December bulletin, with available dates, which you can put in the offering
plate or drop in the church office, along with your check of $35. You can still dedicate your flowers in honor,
memory of someone or in celebration of a special event. The dedication will be listed in the bulletin. Thank
you so much for your generosity and making Sunday worship beautiful with flowers. Please contact the church
office with any questions. Thank you.

3. NOHO FUMC FANS
Join us. . .
Sunday, September 9th
11:30 AM
(following worship)
Front Lawn of Church
We will provide:
Hot Dogs, potato chips, beverages!
You bring:
Your best tail gate food to share!
Sports Themed!
Wear your favorite
team Jersey!
Come to the Choir
Workshop!
Saturday, September 8th
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Meet in the Main Sanctuary
Calling all singers...the choir wants you!
The choir’s first day back in the chancel
is Sunday, September 9th!
LAITY SUNDAY IS COMING OCTOBER 21st
WANTED:
Readers, Storytellers, Speakers, Poets, Musicians, Singers, and
everyone who would like to participate in the Laity Sunday
Worship.
Laity Sunday is that special Sunday when we recognize and
celebrate the role we all play in building and sustaining the church
community. This year’s theme is HOPE through Hospitality!
If you are interested in participating or have fresh ideas, please
join us for a planning session on Sunday, September 30th, in
Boyer Chapel following coffee fellowship.
GIVEAWAY
FOR ALL IN
ATTENDANCE!
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4. What’s Happening in September?
NEW DIRECTORY PHOTOS
Sunday, September 16th - Tuesday, September 18th
We hope you scheduled your photography session. It’s not too late!
Please be a part of our documented church history.
Saturday, September 29th - Commission on a
Way Forward. Social Hall. 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM!
Saturday, September 15th - Game Night! 6:30 PM
in the Lounge. Bring Refreshments & Games.
Wednesday, September 26th - UMW Boutique
Workshop. 9:30 AM in the Community Room.
Wednesday, September 12th - UMW General
Luncheon at 12:00 PM. $3 donation. Lunch and
Program. Lo-Fe-Lo.
Sunday, September 9th- Mission Sunday!
Bring nonperishable foods for the Food Pantry. Dry
Cereal, Peanut Butter, Tuna & Brown Paper Grocery
Bags requested. Please bring a few extra dollars for
your offering!
Friday, September 21st - Tea Fellowship meets at
11:30 AM.
Saturday, September 8th - Choir Workshop in
the Main Sanctuary! Begins at 1:00 PM. Come one,
come all and join our wonderful choir!
Tuesday, September 25th - Ruth Circle meets in
the Community Room at 7:30 PM.
.
Saturday,
September 29th
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Social Hall
Pastor Steve requests your
attendance as NOHO FUMC
hosts Bishop Hagiya and fellow
United Methodists for an
extremely important event.
Q&A | Refreshments
Mark your calendars.
Monday, September 17th - Tabitha Circle meets
in Hand in Hand at 10:30 AM.
Thursday, September 20th - PB&J Project meets
in the Lounge at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, September 22nd - Church Work Day.
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
Saturday,
September 15th
6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Lounge
Everyone is invited to come on
down and enjoy a fun night of
games and fellowship!
Bring games you’d like to play
and refreshments to share!
Sunday, September 9th- FALL KICKOFF!
Following worship. Front Lawn. Hot Dogs & Tail
Gate Foods. Giveaway for everyone in attendance.
Wear your favorite team Jersey!
Wednesday, September 12th - UMW Executive
Board. 10:00 AM. Lo-Fe-Lo.
Tuesday, September 18th - Church Council
Meeting. 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Social Hall.
Tuesday,
September 18th
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Social Hall
Join Pastor Steve and our
NOHO FUMC Council Chairs
as we focus on moving forward
together and pointing towards
God in all we do.
All are welcome!
Sunday, September 30th - Laity Sunday
Planning Meeting. Boyer Chapel. 12:00 - 12:30 PM.

5. SOCIAL HALL FACELIFT
Wesley school has finished a major facelift in the social hall and Lo Fe Lo room. It’s freshly painted, new
acoustical panels, beautiful proscenium surround, new code compliant exit doors, and a floor shined to
perfection. It looks beautiful.
KITCHEN PAINT
As I am writing this there is a crew in the kitchen getting ready to scrub and paint the kitchen for the first
time in over fifteen years. When the painters are done, we have a contractor coming to replace the guts of
the huge exhaust hood.
BUSY KEN
Ken Ellis has been busy. New LED wall lights had been purchased to replace the aging lights under the
breeze ways. Trustees had obtained an electrical bid to install the new lights but Ken volunteered to do it
for us. He thought it was going to be a simple job but little did he know what he was in for. Much of the
almost 70 year old wiring had shorted out and needed to be replaced. After several weeks of work he has
finally finished installing the lights, but in spending so much time climbing ladders and crawling around
our church campus he has discovered many other maintenance issues that also need to be addressed. So
he has continued to spend his days here on campus, cleaning, repairing and replacing things too numerous
to list. When you see Ken, thank him for all the works he has been doing.
WORK PARTY SCHEDULED
Trustees has scheduled another work party for Saturday, September 22 from 9:30 til 1:00. There is so
much to be done, we need as many members as possible to help. We have rooms (Villee Room), closets
(Usher’s, and Narthex) and cabinets (newly painted kitchen) that need cleaning, gutters and downspouts
that need repairing before the winter rains, cob webs, gardening and a host of other projects that need
tackling. Come one, come all and be a part of your church.
By Shirley Kurushima
NEW COOL IN THE OFFICE
A new AC system has been installed in the office area. I
hear it is a great improvement and will even be better
when the duct work gets replaced later this month.
Drop by the office to see our smiling KOOOOOL staff.
Don’t be a T-Rex. Sign up to become CPR certified!
Saturday, October 27th
from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hand in Hand Room
There is a $25.00 expense to cover learning materials.
Please email the Trustees at
nohofumctrustees@gmail.com to sign-up.

6. In February of 2019, our denominational
leadership (and Ken Ellis) will gather for some
serious discussions about the rules, structure, and
future of our denomination. This discussion will
revolve around the church’s inclusion of LGBTQ
people for ordination and the life of the church.
Since the exclusionary language appeared in the
Discipline back in 1972, the issue has been a point
of disagreement in the United Methodist Church.
Every four years since then, the General
Conference has voted on proposals to remove the
exclusionary language. Every time, the language
has remained, but the votes have become closer to
the point that we are at 51-49. Our
denomination is at a tipping point, and the next
step is uncertain.
On Saturday, September 29th at 11:30 AM in the
Social Hall. Bishop Grant Hagiya will be at our
church to discuss the three proposals being
considered by the 2019 Special Conference. I
hope you will make plans to be here, as we may
be facing a very different church in the near
future. Following the Bishop’s presentation, there
will be opportunity to ask questions about the
proceedings and each of the proposals. I hope
you will join me in welcoming Bishop Hagyia and
fellow United Methodists to our church and get
informed on this pivotal moment in church
history.
By Norman Kelsey
“Momentum” was the theme of this year’s four-
day School of Congregational Development event
sponsored by the California-Pacific Annual
Conference. It was held in San Diego from August
15-18. Pastor Steve, Patty Kelsey and myself (as
Lay Servants) attended, along with several
hundred fellow Christians from around the
country. The mission of the SCD was for those in
attendance to learn how to create and develop
vital disciple-making faith communities. There
were seminars and workshops focusing on
developing leadership, ministry and worship,
community engagement, digital outreach and
networking, and pop-up worship, among other
topics. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so
many other United Methodists, whether in the
classroom settings, meals shared together or, very
importantly, in worship.
And there was inspiring worship time, with
sharing the sacrament of communion, anointing,
prayer, and uplifting praise music to stir the soul.
The second night’s plenary session (From Injustice to
Justice) featured Father Gregory Boyle, S.J., from
Homeboy Industries as its keynote speaker. He
shared stories of ministry in the ‘hood and the
renowned Homeboy bakery. His message was that
the church needs to speak the “whole language” if
it is going to succeed in helping create a world
where tenderness toward the people in our
community is the order of the day.
Meeting our community in its context was the big
learning for me. I heard that many times. We
returned from the SCD refreshed and ready to
minister as we are all called to do as Methodists.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more of
our learnings as we expand the outreach of our
ministry together with forward ... Momentum!
The next meeting of Church Council will be in
the Social Hall on Tuesday, September 18, from 7
to 8:30 PM. All are welcome. We will hear
remarks from Pastor Steve and the Church
Council, with the focus on our ministry and to
spread the gospel through all of our endeavors.
Committee Chairs, please plan on attending and
representing your board.

7. to high-definition video, posters to digital ads, the denomination has come a long way in
communications. One of the many advancements to getting our United Methodist Churches more
visibility on the world wide web, is by offering Website Development Grants.
While attending the Momentum Conference in San Diego, Patty Kelsey met the team from United
Methodist Communications and discovered that UM Communications offered these development grants
and still had grants available. Patty decided to apply for a grant after returning home from an inspiring
week in San Diego.
We are pleased to announce that First UMC North Hollywood, CA will receive a 2018 Website
Development Grant from United Methodist Communications. This one-time grant provides our church
with one year of the SILVER package web hosting and domain name purchase through
umcchurches.org and a free online training class called Launching Your Church Website. We have secured our
webhosting and our URL and our Outreach Ministries, Tonya Peat, will begin her online training. Keep
your eyes peeled for the announcement of our new NOHOFUMC website, coming soon!
Since 1949, UM Communications has
been telling the church’s story, both
within the church and to the world.
Though it has evolved through many
name and structural changes, the
denomination’s communication agency
has initiated a very long list of “firsts”
throughout its history.
From mimeograph machines to cloud
computing, reference cards to
databases, sound sheets to CDS,
flannelgraphs to infographics, film strips
COMMUNITY CAMP
A FAMILY CAMP FOR ALL!
Friday, October 19th - Sunday, October 21st
Registration is Open
www.colbyranch.org/familycamp
Prices:
Adults $145 | Teens $130 | Children $115 | Under 3 years $FREE
Creating Art
Exploring Nature
Cooking Classes
Archery
Worship
Fellowship

8. FAITH IN ACTION: SOLIDARITY MISSION TO THE PHILLIPINES
By Andrew Esposo
This past July 23-August 8 the Cal-Pac UMC Philippines Task Force, led by NoHo FUMC member
Andrew Esposo and Joy Prim, traveled to the Philippines to learn about the treatment of marginalized
peoples there and about the ecumenical work that the National Council of Churches in the Philippines
(NCCP) is doing in response. The people committed to this justice work include many United
Methodists. The team, which included Rev. Janet McKeithen, deaconess Sharon McCart, and students
Idda Colcol and Carmen Wei, met with Manila-area Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco, who welcomed them
warmly.
The team learned about the human rights violations and the ecumenical work being done to resist them.
From extrajudicial killings to incarceration without a hearing (and often with planted evidence and too
often torture to elicit confessions) to violent dispersal of mistreated employees who are walking a picket
line to immoral taking of land from indigenous peoples, the Church is responding. Bringing hope and
relief. It is not an easy task, as the team learned. It is hoped that this growing partnership will make it
easier.
The Solidarity Mission team in Sitio Bulacan, Capas, Tarlac with their NCCP partners and Aeta
community members.
After six days of learning, five team members went north to Capas, Tarlac hiking two hours to stay with
the indigenous people called the Aetas for six days. There they learned the use of ancestral lands by the
Philippine army and US troops each year in training exercises occurs without notification to the
community, often keeping people from returning home for prolonged periods. The government plans to
turn this ancestral land into a military complex and develop “New Clark City” in the area that Clark Air
Force Base occupied during and after WWII. The Aetas are resisting this attempt to force them from
their lands but the military (assisted by US troops) harasses them regularly.
The team now back in the U.S. will continue the solidarity work by educating churches in our
Cal-Pac annual conference to walk with Christ and work for justice and peace in the Philippines.

9. If you Google Stewardship the passage above is one of the results you will get. As stewards of this
church we are charged with taking God’s word into the world through a variety of means and tools at
our disposal. The most visible expression of our stewardship in the community at large is probably the
many mission activities we participate in. All of these are made possible by the loving outreach of a
caring congregation. We are stewards of the community. But we are stewards of our own institution as
well. A substantial part of that stewardship includes maintenance of this campus, payroll, property
taxes, utilities, insurance, our apportionment, program expenses, etc.
We are fortunate to have multiple revenue sources and projects that help fund our substantial operating
budget. However, we as members are still an important part of the equation and a significant part of
the budget. We should all try to remember that as we plan our building blocks for future giving, look
forward to the holiday season and further out to 2019. Pledge cards will be in the pews starting Sunday
and Loyalty Sunday is November 18th. Let’s help fund this vital ministry for years to come.
From the Church Mouse
Stewardship is an ethic that embodies the
responsible planning and management of
resources. The concepts of stewardship can be
applied to the environment and nature,
economics, health, property, information,
theology, etc.
Lights! Camera! Action!
Tori Kelly and Grammy-winning Gospel Singer Kirk Franklin
film music video at NoHo FUMC
In August, Tori filmed her new music video “Never Alone” in the Main
Sanctuary. She was joined by multiple-Grammy winner Kirk Franklin for
the performance. The inspirational track features a live band and gospel
choir in our beautiful chancel.
Check it out on YouTube. Search for “Tori Kelly - Never Alone”

10. Wishing you many blessings on your birthday!
Love, Your Church Family
September 2 Gail Coyle
September 5 Dianne Lake
September 5 Aaron McDonald
September 5 Ian McDonald
September 11 Daniella Lake
September 12 Mary Jane Radillo
September 13 Margaret Allen
September 14 Rachel Mottaz
September 14 Beth Roche
September 15 Carol VanMeter
September 23 Jackson Books
September 25 Laurel Weber
September 26 Patty Kelsey
• Joan Finger was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Joan is a friend of Lynn Yoshizumi.
• Charles Minetree’s Aunt Ellen Riley, passed away in San Jose. Prayers for her surviving family.
• Mike Goulden’s tumors have stopped growing but there is an aggressive tumor in the bone that will
be treated with radiation and immunotherapy in the next few weeks.
• Roy Holt was diagnosed with status epileptics caused by hydrocephalus. Roy is almost 2 years old.
• Nicole Mijares, 31, was diagnosed with neuro-endocrine CA. She is in palliative care.
• Bill Varney is still doing Physical Therapy 3 times a week. He is having terrible sciatic nerve pain. He
wants more than anything to return to church and sit in his spot.
• Charley Menendez, 23, is waiting for a liver transplant.
• Eric “Andy” Anderson is on palliative care after his pancreatic cancer returned.
• Our Homebound: Margaret Dixon, Marion Elkerton, Joyce Cunningham, Dorothy Tyler,
• Gladys Woodard, Margaret Allen, Dottie Vick, Irene Graham, Bill Varney.
• Prayers for Hawaii; Puerto Rico; Flint, Michigan; Guatemala.
• Prayers for our neighborhood, our state, our nation, our country, and our World.
Praise God for Good News!
Miles Yoho, was the recipient of a heart and
is recuperating nicely. The doctors are keeping
watch and are hopeful his body receives the
heart well.
The doctors removed Pastor Herb Lucas'
chemo port after an MRI indicated that his
lymphoma had not returned.

11. LECTIONARY CALENDAR
September 2 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Sol. 2:8-13; Ps. 45:1-2, 6-9 or Ps. 72 (UMH 795); James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-23
September 9 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Patriot Day. Green.
Prov. 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Ps. 125 or Ps. 124 (UMH 846); Jam. 2:1-10 (11-13, 14-17);
Mark 7:24-37
September 16 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Prov. 1:20-33; Ps. 19 (UMH 750); Jam. 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
September 23 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Prov. 31:10-31; Ps. 1 (UMH 738); Jam. 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
September 30 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Ps. 124 (UMH 846); Jam. 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Sunday Worship Services at 10:30 AM in the Main Sanctuary
Children’s Sunday School meets at 10:30 AM in the Community Room/Nursery.
Communion will be served on Sunday, September 2nd.
Adult Sunday School: September 16 & 23 at 9:00 AM in Boyer Chapel.
8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel
September 2 - Pastor Steve September 9 - Norman Kelsey
September 16 - Sandra Smith September 23 - Sandra Smith September 30 - Patty Kelsey
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by September 17th for the October 2018 publication
or email them to pattyfumc@gmail.com
If you no longer wish to receive this publication, please contact the church office
or return this address label noting that we are to discontinue sending it. Thank you.
POSTMASTER - Please send changes of address to:
First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601