August Newsletter First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
AUGUST 2017
facebook.com/nohofumc1www.nohofumc.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Camp Out VBS
• Discovery Arts
• Pantry Needs Cereal
• Hawaiian Night
• Covenant Prayer List
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
Dr. Joey K. McDonald
Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Jeff Thomas
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Outreach Ministries
Your Friend and Pastor,
Joey
A NOTE FROM PASTOR JOEY
In Ephesians 4:25–5:2, we see a how to, what for and why of Paul’s
understanding with regard to faith and practice. He is writing to a
community struggling with pagan practices and other believers who
believe their teaching is greater than his.
Paul begins by telling the readers what to do in faithfulness. Don’t lie,
steal or use anger inappropriately. For by behaving differently, believers
distinguish themselves from those living falsely. In addition, he urges
believers to not grieve the Spirit. His understanding being that the Spirit
protects and nurtures believers, thus inappropriate behavior would
interfere with the work of the Spirit. He includes, in the instruction, the
suggestion that people of faith are to imitate God in the way they respond
to life.
Charles Caleb Colton, the nineteenth century English minister, authored
the phrase, “Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.” Since flattery can be
defined as insincere, of excessive praise stemming from self-interest, why
would the Holy need our imitation or flattery? Of course God needs
neither from us. However, when we repeat in our daily existence, the love,
grace, and forgiveness we have known from God; the blessings of faith
become real. When we act as forgiven people and in turn forgive others,
healing happens and hope abounds. When we act as if we are loved and
treat those around us with love; the atmosphere in which we live becomes
more rich and full.
We are called, according to Paul to imitate God, not to become godlike
but to become more human, effective and able as children of God. In the
retail world, copies of expensive items are called “knock offs,” a polite
word for a good fake. The love of God made real in Jesus is meant to
inspire real change in us and from us. Anything less is a poor imitation.

2. COME AND WORSHIP
The following Bible passages will be the basis for the 10:30 messages in August.
Please take time each week to read the selected passages.
August 6 Word Of Love Romans 9:1-5
August 13 Water, Wind and Worship Matthew 14:22-23
August 20 Choosing Words of Hope Matthew15:(10-20) 21-28
August 27 The Human Side of Holy Matthew 16:13-20
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP
July 2 - Today, we welcomed back Pastor Joey for his 28th year! Shaun Vieten presented Pastor Joey with
a card and gift on behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. Norman and Phillip led the monthly
announcements. Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “Love Without Limits” based on Romans 6:12-23. In this
passage, Paul is talking about the natural tension that exists between faith and how we live. Paul talks about
living fully towards grace, rather than towards sin. Sin as a regular behavior stifles and suffocates a spiritual
personality. Communion was served this morning.
July 9 - On this Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Joey took a moment to recognize Patty Kelsey for 6
years as Director of Program Ministries. There was a moment with the children about giving up our heavy
burdens to God in prayer. Pastor Joey’s message, “The Rule of Grace,” was based on Romans 7:15-25a. In
this passage, Paul is talking about the “Rule of Law,” and how it can affect us to be too legalistic. Paul’s
claim and call is how we are drawn by our own selfish interests and in that matter, we do what we don’t
want to do. But we are all called under the grace of Christ and in that grace, that becomes the new rule
and we stop judging ourselves and others by the rules put in place by humans.
July 16 - This morning, the children learned about the Parable of the Sower. Jeff Thomas and Pastor Joey
sang “We’re All Just Seeds,” together during special music. The scripture today was Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
and Pastor Joey’s message was titled, “The Parabolic Word.” The sermon is about how Jesus speaks with
stories. This parable is about the Sower and the Seed. The sower is spreading seeds, some land on the foot
path and the birds eat them; some fall on hard soil and the plants don’t take root; some fall with the weeds
and the young plants get choked and die; some fall on good soil and they produce wonderful crops. Jesus
says, “let those who have ears hear...” He says to pay attention to how the love and care of God is working
in your life.
July 23 - Norman Kelsey accompanied himself on guitar and sang, “Pressing On,” by Bob Dylan during
Just As We Are. Pastor Joey shared a message inspired by Romans 8:12-25, titled, “Belief and Belonging.”
The sermon discussed Paul’s letter to the people of Rome where he talks about the Spirit of adoption and
how we are literally adopted by God as part of the family of faith. With this adoption, we are called into
the life of the Spirit as opposed to living in the flesh.
July 30 - Bill Varney sat in the Lectern this morning. Shaun Vieten shared special music, “Love Is Truth,”
by Jack White. Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “See It This Way,” based on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.
This is a series of parables where Jesus speaks to how large the Kingdom of God is. The first and most
significant parable is about the mustard seed and the other parable is about how leavened bread grows if
you allow it to. Faith based thinking is that if we whole heartedly believe in the love of Jesus, we can
become

3. Sunset Social
Hawaiian Night
Friday, August 11th
6:30 - 9:30 PM on the Patio
6:30 - Dinner (Bring dessert to share)
7:00 - Entertainment
8:15 - Watch Moana Outdoors
Ukelele Performance
By Shaun Vieten & Norman Kelsey
Polynesian Dance Demonstration
By the Aloha Hula Awapuhi Class
Dress in your tropical duds!
(Please RSVP so we can plan for enough food).
For those that have tickets:
Contact David or Roger Eshleman for caravan/carpool arrangements!
Saturday, August 12th
UMC Dodger Night
6:10 PM
Padres vs. Dodgers
All you can eat pavilion

4. What’s Happening in August?
Sunday, August 6th - Communion will be
served at 8:15 worship only! 10:30 communion
has been moved to August 13th.
Sunday, August 13th - Mission Sunday! Bring
non-perishable foods for the Food Pantry. Dry Cereal
is most needed! Please bring a few extra dollars for
your offering!
Tuesday, August 8th - Breakfast Club meets at
Magnolia Grille at 9:00 AM. Limit 8ppl. RSVP.
PB&J PROJECT
Thursday, August 17th
7:00 PM
Lounge
Please join us in making 150
sandwiches for the homeless &
hungry in our community.
Can’t make it but want to help?
Host a PB&J Project!
Saturday, August 26th
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Lounge
Invite your friends & neighbors for
a fun night of games!
Board games, card games,
refreshments!
Bring your favorite game along.
Friday, August 25th- Tea Fellowship at Tea Elle
C Garden Cafe 26111 Bouquet Cyn Rd. in Santa
Clarita. at 11:30 AM. Please RSVP.
Saturday, August 26th - Game Night in the
Lounge. 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM.
Tuesday, August 8th
9:00 AM
Magnolia Grille
Limit 8 ppl. RSVP.
TEA FELLOWSHIP
Friday, August 25th
11:30 AM
Tea Elle C Garden Cafe
26111 Bouquet Cyn. Rd.
Tuesday, August 22nd - Ruth Circle meets at the
home of Myriel Tyree for a potluck dinner in the
backyard at 6:30 PM.
Thursday, August 17th - PB & J Project meets in
the Lounge at 7:00 PM.
Discovery Arts Donation Collection
The Entire Month Of August!
Bring art supplies and mini project packs!
Box Decorating - Multiple days TBD
Saturday, September 16th - Prep Day
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Lounge. Lunch Served.
Sunday, September 17th - Assembly Day
Following worship in front of the Lounge!
Kits go to children
who are too ill to
participate in group
programs.
Goal: 100 Kits!
Saturday, August 5th - Camp Out VBS! Vacation
Bible School meets in Boyer Chapel from 9AM -
3PM! Getting S’more of Jesus!
Wednesday, August 9th - UMW Executive
Board. 10:00 AM in Hand in Hand.
Friday, August 11th -Hawaiian Night! On our
Patio. 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM. MUST RSVP with the
office.
Monday, August 14th - Tabitha Fellowship
meets in the Hand in Hand room at 10:30 AM.
Saturday, August 12th - UMC Dodger Night!
6:10 PM Start. Dodgers vs. Padres. Pavilion level. All
you can eat! Folks with tickets, contact Roger or
David Eshleman for carpool/caravan info.
Sunday, August 13th - Communion will be
served at 10:30 worship.

5. While he fulfilled all the educational and experience requirements of serving as a church minister, he was
writing on the side, mainly about God’s grace. His first book was published in 1985. He and his wife spent
5 years in Brazil as full-time missionaries. After they returned to the U.S., Lucado went to Oak Hills
Church in San Antonio, TX, and served as pastor there for 20 years. In 2007 he stepped down due to
health concerns related to atrial fibrillation. A few years later he resumed his work with a more limited role
of writing and preaching at Oak Hills Church with a co-pastor. Today he is Senior Pastor at Oak Hills
Church.
Lucado has written almost 100 books, of which there are 80 million copies in print. He has received the
Gold Medallion for the Christian Book of the Year for “Just Like Jesus”, “In the Grip of Grace”, and
“When God Whispers Your Name”. He was named “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today magazine in
2004 and in 2005 Reader’s Digest magazine named him “The Best Preacher in America”.
We have 13 Max Lucado books in our church library. Interestingly, 9 of them are children’s books which
can be found in the Primary or Pre-school section to the left of the fireplace on lower shelves so that little
children can find them. Here you will find “All You Ever Need”, “God Thinks You’re Wonderful”, “A Hat
for Ivan”, “Just in Case You Ever Wonder”, “Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift”, “Punchinello,
One of a Kind”, “With You All the Way”, “You Are Special” and “Hermie and Friends: Webster the
Scaredy Spider”. Children of all ages can enjoy these charming books.
The adult books in our library written by Max Lucado are “3:16 New Testament with Psalms &
Proverbs” (DDS 225), the Gold Medallion award winner “Just Like Jesus” (DDS 232.9), and “Gift for All
People, the Thoughts on God’s Great Grace” and “Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were
Carrying”, both DDS 242.
In addition to the general book section signs, I have posted smaller lists on the shelves near the C. S. Lewis
and Max Lucado books to help you find them; if you have trouble finding what you are looking for, please
ask me for help.
Check ‘em out – that’s what they are there for!
In addition to C. S. Lewis, Pastor Joey has mentioned that Max
Lucado, who was born in 1955, is a contemporary best-selling
Christian author and writer. When he was an undergraduate
student at Abilene Christian University, where he received a B.A.
in Mass Communication, a required Bible class and a mission
trip convinced him that he should be a missionary.
By Lynn Yoshizumi
The Following Sunday:
August 27th ONLY
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Boyer Chapel
Led by Sandra Smith
On August 27 we will start a new unit on the First Nation.
The topic is A Promise of Land, focusing on Genesis Chapter 12: 1 - 7, 13. Please join us!

6. BEDSIDE ADVENTURE KITS
By Patty Kelsey
Your Missions Team is supporting
Discovery Arts for the seventh year by making
Bedside Adventure Kits!
Discovery Arts brings music, dance, art and
drama to children with cancer, serious blood
disorders and life threatening illness while they
are receiving treatment.
We will be making 100 boxes filled to the brim
with art supplies!
SUPPLIES WISH LIST
(* - means they are in need of this item)
*Safety Scissors
*Crayons
*Elmer’s Glue (bottles & sticks)
Paint Brushes
Crayola Paint Palettes
Markers (8 ct.)
Coloring Books
Construction Paper
Small Play-doh Tubs
Card Games
Mini Art Projects
Assorted Stick-on items:
Pipe Cleaners, Wood, Foam, Fuzzy balls, googly
eyes, sparkles, sequins, beads, buttons, feathers.
Bring art supplies throughout August
Drop them off on the table next to Boyer Chapel.
We will assemble kits on Sunday, September 17th
Thank you for your support!
Alyssa with a Bedside Adventure Kit!
HELP US PREP & DECORATE
Our Mission focus for August and September is
Discovery Arts and their Bedside Adventure kits!
We are in need of artistic people to gather and
decorate boxes at least twice before prep day.
All of our donated art supplies need to be sorted
and individually packaged and 100 boxes need to
be assembled and decorated.
Please mark your calendars for Prep Day:
Saturday, September 16th
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Lounge
Lunch Served
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Third Wednesdays each month
1:30 - 3:30 PM
Mattel at UCLA
1 volunteer needed
Thursdays Each Month
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Jonathan Jacques Cancer Center at Millers
Long Beach
Up to 4 Volunteers per visit

7. The North Hollywood Inter-Faith Food Pantry suppliers have no
cereal at this time. Please spread the word that we need boxed dry
cereal very badly. We have a good supply of tuna, peanut butter,
bagged beans and fruit. Please focus all collection efforts on boxed
dry cereal. Dollar Tree and 99 Cent Store have dry cereal! Bring
your donations to the table in front of Boyer Chapel on Sunday.
THANK YOU!
You never know who you will see at Peanut Butter & Jam night. Almost every month someone new
comes to see what we are doing. Several months ago it was Joe Ly and his friend Erica. Before that it was
Jonash Poyaoan and his mother Lynne and a cousin. Another time it was Scott Peat who came to
photograph us in action for the website and ended up staying to help make sandwiches since we were
shorthanded that night. In June it was Pauline Long’s daughter Barbara and grandson Michael. In July
we were surprised to have Pastor Joey join us. We found out what Aaron and Ian already knew – he’s a
good sandwich maker!
The usual group is some combination of Mila Cruz, Kathi Ellis, Roger Eshleman, Rebecca Forgione,
Shirley Kurushima, Chuck Schafer, Ralph Seybold, and Jodi Smith with occasional visits from Joe
Forgione, Sherri Perry and Judy Palmer.
I want to especially praise and thank Mila Cruz who always comes, without any reminder, and
sometimes brings a very helpful friend. In addition, every month Mila supplies us with either peanut
butter or jam. And she is the mainstay of the clean-up crew, washing and drying the placemats and
utensils we use. Jodi and some others help with that work when they come.
Also a special thank you to Sue McDonald
who for most of this year has been providing
us with homemade jam using fruit from her
sons’ fruit trees. The homeless clients of the
North Hollywood Food Pantry have been
treated to such intriguing tastes as kumquat-
orange jam, peach-apricot jam and apple pie
jelly.
Anytime you are available on the 3rd
Thursday evening of the month, please join
us at 7 pm in the Lounge. We are usually
finished by 8 p.m. We can always make a
place for you at the table. Many hands make
light work!
By Lynn Yoshizumi

8. August 5 Caitlin Thomas
August 6 David Zung
August 10 Bruce Neckels
August 12 Pauline Long
August 14 Henry Mottaz
August 15 Erin Neckels
August 17 Richard Roche
August 19 Michael Acosta
August 23 Jason Books
August 23 Abigail Ellis
August 24 Kealan Sucher
August 25 Lynn Yoshizumi
August 26 Erin Kent
August 26 David Kurushima
August 26 Marijane Settlemyer
August 28 Karen Griggs
Wishing you many blessings on your birthday!
Love, Your Church Family
Barbara Vieten is recovering at home following
a successful foot operation.
Gail Acosta’s Mother had a horrible fall in
July and fractured her tail bone.
Gary Solt will undergo surgery to remove
melanoma from his cheek on August 15th at St.
John in Santa Monica.
Continue to lift up Margaret Doggett and family
who are still healing after Jim’s passing.
Monica Zevallos is in the middle of treatment for
breast cancer.
David Vail, Norman Kelsey’s Uncle, has bladder
cancer that has metastasized.
Joey Gervasi is undergoing chemotherapy for
lymphoma.Teri Geiger cancer growth has stopped
spreading and she is maintaining her chemo
regimen. Prayer for members that are house-bound:
Margaret Dixon, Dorothy Tyler, Joyce
Cunningham & Marion Elkerton.
Andrew Merrill
Entered the church triumphant on July 14, 2017.
Tracy Ritter received her MRI results which
show multiple cancerous growths in and around
her throat and head.

9. NORTH DISTRICT WEEKLY COVENANT PRAYER LIST
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Prayer is the most important thing we can do for each other and for the congregations we serve.
We list these churches to hold up each other in prayer led by the Holy Spirit.
Continue to work for the kingdom that Jesus Christ has called us toward.
Blessings for the Journey, Pastor Jim
Aug 6 – Nov 26, 2017
Prayer Date Church/Ministry Pastor(s)
August 6, 2017 Woodland Hills First UMC Pastor Sang Ho Yi
August 6, 2017 Woodland Hills Korean UMC Pastor Sang Ho Yi
August 13, 2017 Pacoima First UMC Pastor Lydia Waters
August 13, 2017 Glendale First UMC Pastor Rich Garner & Pastor John Oh
August 20, 2017 Morro Bay: Estero Bay UMC Pastor Paula Hulet
August 20, 2017 Burbank: Magnolia Park UMC Pastor Chris Fracchiolla
August 27, 2017 Newhall: Friendly Valley Community UMC Pastor John Wang
August 27, 2017 Lancaster UMC Pastor Terry Van Hook &
Pastor Jason Woodell
September 3, 2017 Quartz Hill: Christ Our Savior UMC Pastor Ken Gardner
September 3, 2017 Lompoc First UMC Pastor Kathleen Puntar
September 10, 2017 San Fernando First UMC Pastor Sandie Richards
September 10, 2017 North Oxnard UMC Pastor Rick Pearson
September 17, 2017 Tujunga UMC Pastor Tom Kendall
September 17, 2017 Paso Robles UMC Pastor Les Lungren
September 24, 2017 Shandon UMC Lay Leadership and Ministry Partners
September 24, 2017 Atascadero UMC Pastor Diane Rehfield
October 1, 2017 Pasadena: St James UMC Pastor Kun-Kap Cho
October 1, 2017 Oxnard: St Paul's UMC Pastor Anna Hyangdo Lee Mulford
October 8, 2017 West Hills: Hindi-Urdu Mission Pastor Lamuel Jacob
October 8, 2017 Glendale: First German UMC Pastor Kurt Poland
October 15, 2017 Santa Barbara First UMC Pastor Mark Richardson &
Pastor Alan Strout
October 15, 2017 Piru UMC Church Members and
Ministry Partners
October 22, 2017 Santa Maria: Bethel Korean Mission Pastor Kisung Nam
October 22, 2017 Los Angeles: Immanuel UMC Pastor Moo Keun Ham
October 29, 2017 Sherman Oaks UMC Pastor Garth Gilliam
October 29, 2017 Ojai UMC Pastor Cathie Capp
November 5, 2017 Santa Maria: Christ UMC Pastor Marc Marcos
November 5, 2017 North Hollywood First UMC Pastor Joey McDonald
November 12, 2017 Santa Barbara: St Mark UMC Pastor Cindy Huskey
November 12, 2017 Camarillo Korean UMC Pastor Sang Yung Lee
November 19, 2017 Santa Maria First UMC Pastor Bob Isip
November 19, 2017 Los Osos: Trinity UMC Pastor Gilbert Stones
November 26, 2017 San Luis Obispo UMC Pastor Rick Uhls
November 26, 2017 Altadena UMC Pastor Andre Wilson

10. Reflections
Dr. Joey K. McDonald
Reflections are part of the weekly bulletin inserts for worship. This writing is originally from July 7, 1996.
and Dr. McDonald’s sermon was titled “Soul Aerobics,” based on Romans 7:14-25a.
Today’s text is Romans 7:15-25a. This letter from Paul presents a common problem found in
the body of faith, then and now. Namely, how do we resolve the inclination to sin, found in
believing persons of faith? Throughout this passage, Paul holds himself up as a fellow pilgrim
struggling with issues of life and faith. He bears his soul by sharing that often he does what he
knows he should not, and fails to do what he knows he should. Time and again he mentions
the natural tension existing between law and grace, between flesh and spirit.
All too often, we as modern believers forget the struggles of our parents in the faith. The
Saints of the Church, be they historical; like Paul, Peter, James, or John, or local; as those who
founded this local church, all were human. Each filled with the same frailties of personal
existence you and I possess. Paul recognized that when people become focused on legalism,
their vision becomes narrow. When rules become more important than people, and since
perfection is not possible, mistakes become the most valuable commodity. Paul knew this
because of his zealous past. While his conversion did not free him from sin, it did free him to
experience the grace of Christ.
Paul does not suggest we ignore sin, denial is unwise, and only leads to greater difficulties.
However, he doesn’t suggest we become burdened by our frailty either. To do so would depress
and paralyze even the most sturdy soul. He instructs us to do what only one who has
experienced the love and kindness of God could. To leave our lives in the hands of God,
trusting in the grace of Christ. Legalism is easier than love. However, the Apostle reminds us
that God’s love is a perfect fit for the sinner, custom tailored for each of us.

11. OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP
August 6 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 32:22-31; Ps. 17:1-7, 15 (UMH 749); Rom. 9:1-5; Matt. 14:13-21
August 13 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 37:1-4, 12-28; Ps. 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b (UMH 828); Rom. 10:5-15; Matt.
14:22-33
August 20 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 45:1-15; Ps. 133 (UMH 850); Rom. 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15:(10-20, 21-28
August 27 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Exo. 1:8-2:10; Ps. 124 (UMH 846); Rom. 12:1-8; Matt. 16:13-20
Sunday Worship Services at 10:30 AM in the Main Sanctuary
Adult Sunday School to meet on August 20th & 27th at 9:00 AM in Boyer chapel
Children’s Sunday School meets at 10:30 AM in the Community Room/Nursery
Children’s Moment on 2nd & 3rd Sunday during 10:30 Worship
Communion will be served on Sunday, August 6th at 8:15 Worship & August 13th at 10:30 Worship
8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel
August 6 - Norman Kelsey August 13 - Pastor Joey
August 20 - Patty Kelsey August 27 - Sandra Smith
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by August 17th for the September 2017 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