Good News June 2020

First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
June 2020
e-mail: nohofumc@gmail.com facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Guidelines for Relaunch
• Free COVID Testing
• Food Pantry Needs
• How to Worship Online
• UMCOR & COVID
GOOD NEWS is published monthly by
First United Methodist Church of
North Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya
Bishop
Rev. James Powell
District Superintendent
Rev. Steven F. Peralta
Interim Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Jeff Thomas
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Digital & Social Media
The Heart of Worship
In 1998, in Watford, England, Pastor Mike Pilavachi’s church, Soul Survivor,
found itself in the middle of a “blessed” season. It was growing. The band was
awesome and contributing to the modern worship movement across England and
the United States. Many of the church members were in their early twenties and
the church had all necessary lights, video, and sound equipment to look and
sound cutting edge. Every Sunday looked like a triumph.
But Pilavachi felt something was off. He worried that the lines between worship
and entertainment were being muddled and felt that something drastic needed to
happen. He called in his worship leaders and told them, “We’re going to put
away the sound system, the video equipment, and the lights. For a season, we are
going to gather together with nothing but our souls, our voices, and our Bibles.
We’ve lost our way in worship, and the only way to get back to the heart is to
strip everything away.”
You can imagine the first few services were quite awkward. No instruments. No
microphones. No songs.
One of the worship leaders, Matt Redman, felt especially sheepish. He was a
worship leader and didn’t know what to do! Reflecting on that time, he says, “It
made me ask some questions. What were my motives for being up on stage?
Was I there to do it as service, or was I trying to build my own little thing? It was
a great time for me, as a musician and as a worshipper, to refocus…”
Pastor Mike also asked questions of the congregation. He’d ask, “Are you a
producer in worship, or a consumer? When you come through the doors on a
Sunday, what are you bringing as an offering to God?”
The experience inspired Redman to write a song entitled, “The Heart of
Worship.” Here are the lyrics:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
(continued on inside cover page)

(continued from front cover)
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath!
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart, yeah
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
I share this story because right now, worship is on our hearts and our minds. We are wondering when we will get back
to normal…but that day is a long way away. Yes, we will be back together sometime in the next month or so, but
worship will not be back to normal. The measures required to keep everyone safe mean that we will have a season that
will be void of congregational singing and we will be asking the same questions, “What has brought me through these
doors? Am I consumer of worship or am I a producer of worship? What is worship when I can’t sing?”
Worship is confession…Worship is prayer…Worship is giving thanks…Worship is proclamation of who God is…
Worship is giving…but worship is so much more than what we experience together on Sunday mornings. Worship
happens when we listen to scripture, when we take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into action…our greatest worship
happens during the week, when we are living our lives at home, at work, and at play.
Ephesians 5:10 (NRSV) says, “Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” When everything is stripped away, that is
the heart of worship: discovering and doing what brings God joy! In this strange season of pandemic, we are about to
be stretched even further in our faith. But the God who breathes light and life into us will make sure we have enough to
navigate this season and emerge from it stronger and ready for whatever God has for us, so long as we keep discovering
what brings God joy.
Keep the Faith!
Pastor Steve
(content for the story of “The Heart of Worship” was drawn from https://www.walkingwithalimp.net/2019/03/27/
the-heart-of-worship-story-behind-the-song-and-reflections-on-listening-to-20-years-of-modern-worship/ and from
https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-matt-redmans-the-heart-of-worship-1253122.html)

June 7 God Creating Gen. 1:1-2:4a & Matt. 28:16-20
Reading both texts, with Matthew and the great commission as an echo of the great priestly poem of creation. We
forget that creation is an ongoing thing, with God behind that creative impulse.
June 14 God Promises
God meets with Abram and Sarai under the trees at Mamre. The old Bedouin couple is promised a son: a promise
too wonderful to believe. (laughably so) Do we still wonder if there is anything to wonderful for God?
June 21 God Cleans Up
Abraham and Sarah do not act very well towards the slave girl and her son. But God looks after the castoff
members of the household and creates a second nation from them. It’s important that we do not overlook
Abraham & Sarah’s sinful behavior, but it’s also important to see God hasn’t abandoned the victims of their sin.
God is still at work.
June 28 God Provides Genesis 22:1-14
This is a terrible story, once again illustrating how human being (Moses) often miss the point of the gifts we have
been given and what God requires of us. In this instance, Abraham takes his son, Isaac, up a mountain to
sacrifice him. This is a Pagan thing…something that the Canaanite religions practiced to appease their deities. But
God provides a different sacrifice, saving Isaac. Yet again, God proves bigger than our misunderstandings and
misrepresentations of God.
HIGHLIGHTS OF VIRTUAL WORSHIP
We feel very fortunate and blessed to have been able to continue sharing worship with our church family and also,
reaching many people outside of our bubble. God is at work through us and we are very happy with the weekly
online Worship services we have produced and share on YouTube @nohofumc and on Facebook @nohofumc1.
Piano - Jeff Thomas
Organ - Roger Eshleman
Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Mary Dennis
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
May 3 - Never Ending Love
May 10 - Honor your Mother
May 17 - Holy Spirit/Be Kind
May 24 - Humble & Kind
May 31 - Living Water
Scripture Reader
May 3 - Jesse Boone
May 10 - Lydia Folckomer
May 17 - Daniella Lake
May 24 - Jesse Boone
May 31 - Abigail Dankwah &
Norman Kelsey
Genesis 18:1-15
Genesis 21:8-21
Pastor Steve’s Sermon Series: The Audacity of Hope
Sermon Titles and Scripture
May 3 - Audacious Growth 1 Peter 2:2-10
May 10 - Audacious Endurance 1 Peter 2:19-24
May 17 - The Audacity of Doing Good 1 Peter 3:13-22
May 24 - The Audacity of Humility 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
May 31 - Obey Your Thirst Acts 2:1-21 & John 7:37-39
Special Music
May 3 - Shaun Vieten | Peace in the Valley
May 10 - Cole Gerdes on guitar | You Never Let Go
May 17 - Holly Gibson on piano & Libeck Kadu-Vieten | God of this City
May 24 - Norman Kelsey on guitar |Take Time to be Holy
May 31 - Pastor Steve on guitar | Invitacion Fountain

Guidelines for Church Re-Launch of In-Person Worship Services
As you are probably aware, many of our state, county and city officials have released their own set of
guidelines for churches reopening their in-person worship services. They vary from area to area, but they
provide us with some broad guidelines to consider in relaunching our public worships. However, no
United Methodist Church in our California-Pacific Conference can re-open until our own set of
guidelines are approved.
We have a strict set of guidelines that must be followed and as I mentioned earlier, here is the process:
A detailed plan of opening in-person worship services must be created and approved by the annual
conference.
The church must approve these guidelines by the appointed pastor and Administrative Council.
They must be submitted to your District Superintendent, or designated District Team, for final approval.
You will find the complete set of guidelines as a PDF via the button below. They have been created by a
small team (Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin, Rev. Robb Fuesler, Rev. Erika Gara, Rev. Bob Rhodes, and Rev.
Molly Vetter), vetted by the appointed Cabinet, Connectional Table leadership, and medical and legal
teams of our California-Pacific Conference.
You will find all of these guidelines are in compliance with state, county and city officials. But, in order
to ensure the safety of our laity, clergy and churches, we must follow them in every detail before re-
launching your in-person worship service. Because the Book of Discipline designates your appointed
pastor over all worship services, she or he must be comfortable with re-opening before it can happen.
Your pastor has the right to override any decision to re-open if she or he determines it is just not safe.
We also ask for those of you who having an appointment change to include your incoming pastor in this
planning process. We have alerted our pastors who are taking on new appointments of this process and
they are in agreement.
We still believe that none of our churches have closed – We have just continued worship and pastoral
care in a new way. Re-opening your physical worship services is a risk no matter how many precautions
are taken. With this in mind, each church is free to delay this re-opening until they determine it is truly
safe.
Feel free to raise any specific questions with your District Superintendent, or myself.
Finally, I want to thank you for your patience and commitment to your own local church, district and
annual conference leadership. Throughout this COVID-19 crisis, you have given your all to enable your
church not only to survive, but thrive! I continue to pray for you daily, sometimes hourly, and will
continue to do that for as long as possible. It is an honor to work side-by-side with you!
Continue to Be the Hope,
Resident Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Los Angeles Episcopal Area

FREE LA County COVID 19 Testing Site - TESTING IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
If you are able to contact your primary care practitioner to be tested, that needs to be your first choice. However, if
you do not have a PCP or cannot reach them at this time, all testing is free and available to you.
The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the County of Los Angeles and CORE (Community Organized
Relief Effort), is providing free COVID-19 testing to ALL Los Angeles County residents, whether or not you are
experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Priority for the same or next day testing is still given to people with symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of
breath, chills, muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, or a new loss of sense of smell.
Testing is also prioritized for certain critical front-line workers who interact with the public while working.
Testing is by appointment only.
Drive Thru Locations near NOHO FUMC
GO TO lacovidprod.service-now.com | Click “Schedule an Appointment Now”
Congregant, Lydia Folckomer, went to the UCLA Drive-Thru and said to prepare for the process take about one
hour. Lydia received her results in 9 days and her results were, thankfully, negative! Lynn Yoshizumi also went to the
drive-thru testing in Northridge with negative results for COVID 19!
Be Prepared: Bring your own pen, wear your mask,
***Do not eat, drink, use mouth wash, or chew gum, ONE HOUR PRIOR TO TESTING.
Upon arriving at the Testing Location, please drive cautiously, do not open your window until instructed.
Have your registration number and photo ID ready as it will be necessary to go through the process.
You will be handed a test kit. Follow instructions thoroughly.
Step 1: Cough 3-5 times (forcefully)
Step 2: Peel open swab package and insert cotton end of the swab into mouth for sample collection.
Step 3: Rub swab inside of your mouth on your left and right cheek, roof of mouth, back of throat.
Do not touch the swab on any other surface.
Step 4: Carefully open tube, do not spill liquid and insert swab (head first into tube).
Step 5: break off any part of the swab stick that does not fit into the tube.
Step 6: Screw top of the tube back on and mix sample with liquid.
Step 7: Place tube in biohazard bag and seal it.
Step 8: Place bag into bubble wrap pouch roll to remove aire & seal.
Step 9: place bubblewrap pouch inside large biohazard bag & seal. Then throw into collection bin.
If you have symptoms, you will need to self-isolate for 7 days until your results arrive.
Pasadena Testing Site
Drive-Thru
1001 Rose Bowl Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91003
Dodger Stadium
Drive-Thrue
1101 Scott Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hansen Dam Recreational Center
Drive-Thru
11798 Foothill Blvd.
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Entrance on Osbourne Street
Glendale Memorial Hospital
Drive-Thru
222 W. Eulalia St.
Glendale, CA 91204
Northridge Fashion Center
Drive-Thru
9301 Tampa Ave.
Northridge, CA 91324

As each of us shelters in place to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we cannot help but be
affected by the scale of illness, death and financial distress all around us. We could even be led to believe that
this is a hopeless situation. But, thank God, that is not true!
Together, we can care for each other in this time of great need.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has been
working with health boards, medical professionals, disaster management coordinators and faith leaders to
prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. Partners in China, Africa and the Philippines have already
received solidarity grants. Training materials have been developed and disseminated in four languages to
facilitate online trainings focused on preparedness and prevention.
The impact of COVID-19 is far-reaching and demands an even greater response.
Even as you shelter in place, you can be there for others.
Through the COVID-19 Response Fund, UMCOR plans to release grants to equip partners who assist
vulnerable populations around the world impacted by COVID-19, including racial/ethnic and indigenous
communities in the United States. Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded and disbursed quickly and
efficiently to address pressing needs in the areas of health, food insecurity, water, sanitation and hygiene and
economic instability.
When you say “yes” to supporting the UMCOR COVID-19 Response, you will help embody God’s love for
those who need it most.

Join the UMCOR COVID-19 Response with your gift today.
MaskLove = When you help feed a neighbor in
need,
you'll receive a mask for your good deed!
Make a donation to the North Hollywood
Interfaith Food Pantry and you will receive a mask
in your choice of color/sizes.
Suggested donation is $5.00 to $10.00 per mask.
ALL proceeds go to the pantry.
Email masklovenonprofit@gmail.com for further
information and to place your order.

COVID CRISIS COMPELS MISSION TO RADICAL RESPONSE

Have you ever responded to a crisis or a need with a resounding YES, only to feel completely overwhelmed with the
commitment you just made? Such was the case with Hope of the Valley recently. Because other service providers did
not step up to run the Covid-19 emergency pandemic shelters at recreation centers in the Valley, Hope of the Valley
was compelled by the need of vulnerable men and women to say YES to providing food, shelter and security during
this crisis.

This spring they opened and now operate 6 Covid-19 shelters at recreation centers in Woodland Hills, Northridge,
Granada Hills, Sherman Oaks, Valley Plaza and North Hollywood. Additionally, they oversee the operation of 26
trailers in Granada Hills and 10 trailers in Woodland Hills designed exclusively for clients 65 or older or those with
severe underlying health condition.

At Hope of the Valley, they refuse to live with regrets. When the pandemic is over and life is restored, Ken wants to
know that they did everything within their power to save the precious lives of their neighbors and friends who are
not as fortunate as we are to shelter in our homes, because they have no home to shelter in. Together we are saving
lives, giving hope and ending homelessness.

At this time, Hope of the Valley’s resources are rapidly being depleted. They need our help.
HOPE OF THE VALLEY – BEFORE AND AFTER COVID-19

Pre Covid-19 Hope of the Valley provided 321 beds each night & 640 meals per day –
3 Family shelters (132 beds), 1 Youth shelter (38 beds), Pacoima
Emergency Shelter (138 beds), 1 Residential Recovery program (13 beds)
1 Access Center
1 Navigation Center (1800+ clients annually)
Safe Parking Shelter

Additionally, in June they will open an 85-bed shelter in North Hollywood and in July a 100-bed shelter in Van Nuys.

Financially, Covid-19 has caused the Mission to shut down their 4 revenue generating thrift stores, cancel 2
fundraising concerts, the Annual Gala and the Annual Drumstick Dash. Good News – the thrift stores will open
June 1st!

How can you help? Shop at their thrift stores, donate items to be sold in the thrift stores, make a generous donation

Since the Coronavirus, Hope of the Valley has opened the following:
            Woodland Hills Shelter and Trailers              46 beds
            Northridge Shelter                                          36 beds
            Granada Hills Shelter and Trailers                 68 beds
            Sherman Oaks Shelter                                    38 beds
            Valley Plaza Shelter                                       42 beds
            North Hollywood Shelter                                36 beds
Post Covid-19 Additions: 266 beds and 798 meals per day

Current Operational Totals: 587 nightly beds and 1,438 meals per day

North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry
4390 Colfax Avenue, Studio City, 91604
Distribution Days: Monday & Friday. 7:30am - 10:00am
Donation Drop Off Instructions
1 Pull into the parking lot off Colfax
2 Drive up to the tables say you are dropping off
3 Pop the trunk
4 Volunteers will unload for you
5 You do not need to get out of your vehicle.
Contactless home pick up may be scheduled by contacting the church at nohofumc@gmail.com
Monetary Donations
Make a tax deductible donations by going to the NHIFP website (https://nhifp.org/donations/)
and donating via PayPal or you may mail a donation directly to the pantry at 4390 Colfax Avenue,
Studio City.

It has been a long time since we were all together and you did not get proper preparation on the transition
from the weekly live-stream to our new weekly online worship service. Or what we lovingly call, “The
NoHoFUMC Show!” It has been an incredible group effort to bring the full service online to you all each
week, without skipping a beat right from the first Sunday we were under the stay at home orders. We were
and continue to be so pleased with what we were able to put together. Which includes a full worship
service package, that was edited and posted to our YouTube, Facebook Pages and our web site. We have
consistently had over 100 views of our online service. You can subscribe to our YouTube page and never
miss a video.
You may access current & past episodes of Pastor Steve’s messages for the week, as well as other great
videos of our past events. I want to extend a special thank you to everyone who contributes weekly to
make the service happen and to those of you who have sent photos for our weekly montage themes. I hope
it warms your heart to see your fellow congregants, reading scripture, singing songs, offering prayers and
inspiration. I have to admit I regularly have a smile on my face as I edit the service, seeing all of you and
hearing familiar voices.
Regarding our online giving program, we offer three different ways to send in your tithes and offerings.
You may text, mail-in, or go online via our website.
Our newest way to give, and the quickest, is our Text to Tithe option. You can text the amount you want
to donate to our church specific # 844-954-1296 and you will be given one time set up instructions. Once
you set up your account, all you have to do, is text the amount you’d like to give, to the number, and if you
save the contact in your phone, it’s even quicker! You will receive an email confirmation for your records
and feel amazing, knowing that you supported the church. There is an option to do either a one time
donation or you can set it up for a weekly donation! Select which ever works best for you.
The next option is to go to our website at |www.nohofumc.org/giving | and click the GIVING tab. This
will take you to our online giving page. The last option is to mail in your tithes and offerings directly to the
church office at 4832 Tujunga Ave. NorthHollywood, CA. 91601
In addition to the online weekly service and Pastor’s message for the week, we also offer other ways to
connect online with each other. Thursdays at 7PM, Pastor Steve has his 2nd Helpings gathering on Zoom,
(Meeting ID 303 320 694). There is a deeper look into the scripture from Pastor Steve’s sermon, and
lifting up joys and concerns. We also offer Virtual Fellowship every Sunday at 11:30AM on Zoom,
(Meeting ID 285 041 605).
As always please follow us on social media and tag us in your posts regarding NOHOFUMC! If you have
any questions regarding social media, web site or online service related information, please do not hesitate
to contact me at nohofumc@gmail.com
A Message from the Digital & Social Media Desk
By Tonya Peat

June 2 Andrew Noren
June 3 Wendy Welch
June 3 Monica McLaughlin
June 5 Rosemary Kent
June 6 Scott Peat
June 8 Jones Shepard
June 13 Brandon Ancheta
June 16 Anne Peters
June 17 Pattie Rogers
June 18 Danny Peters
June 18 Doug Peters
June 20 Renee Kennard
June 23 Lynne Hutton
June 24 Luna Shepard
June 30 Darrell Lake
For Those Diagnosed with COVID19
• Tonya Peat’s friend, Shawn Todino.
• Jeff Thomas’ friends, the Belknap family, have two family members diagnosed.
• Charles Minetree’s nephew, David who is in isolation.
• Keven McConnell’s friend, Jamele Mason and his mother, Julia Eaglin has pneumonia.
• Henry Melendez, tested positive but is asymtomatic. Henry re-tested and still tested positive for the virus.
He has been in isolation.
• Mylene has been sick for 47 days and has been isolated from her two children and husband.
• We pray for those struggling financially.
• Prayers for our medical professionals and those who are in essential services.
• Pastor Steve's former youth from Thousand Oaks UMC, Ciera Whalen, passed away from a sarcoma in
her hip. Prayers for her parents, Jim and Erica Whalen, and her siblings Eddie and Erin.
• Grant Hock, 3 years old, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in February 2019. Grant passed away
and entered the church triumphant this week.
• Shaun Vieten's Uncle, Dennis, suffered a stroke.
• Patty Kelsey's Uncle Sunai, 67, is in ICU recovering from respiratory issues.
• Caitlin Thomas, fell and broke her foot and has not been able to walk for a few weeks. She also has a tear
in her intestines.
• Former Church Member, Rhonda Scott, had a massive stroke in November and is in rehabilitation.
• Tracy Hagan is in hospice and keeping her spirits up with God at her side,.
• Sandy Flemming is back at home after spending 18 1/2 weeks in the hospital.
• Muffett Brinkman's Dad, Michael, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.
• Muffett's best friend from college, Rebecca Garrett Nelson's mother has gone into liver failure out of the
blue and there is nothing the doctors can do, so she has been moved to hospice. Doctors don't think it will
be very long. Becca and her mom are best friends. Her daughter Ellie, because of the pandemic, is getting
to be with them, but she is also in the middle of exams and is a pharmacy student so not an easy course
load. Becca also has a special needs brother who doesn't understand what is going on. Her father General
Garrett losing a partner of around 50 years.

Lectionary Readings and Calendar
June 7 Trinity Sunday, Year A. Peace with Justice Sunday. White.
Gen. 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8 (UMH 743); 2 Cor. 13:11-13; Matt. 28:16-20
June
14
Second Sunday After Pentecost, Year A. Father’s Day. Green.
Gen. 18:1-15; Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19 (UMH 837); Rom. 5:1-8; Matt. 9:35-10:8 (9-23)
June 21 Third Sunday After Pentecost, Year A. Green.
Gen. 21:8-21; Ps. 86:1-10, 16-17 or Ps. 17 (UMH 749); Rom. 6:1b-11; Matt. 10:24-39
June 28 Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, Year A. Green.
Gen. 22:1-14; Ps. 13 (UMH 746); Rom. 6:12-23; Matt. 10:40-42
Sunday Worship Services are Posted Online by 8:00 AM | Worship at Your Leisure
Join us online via Facebook @nohofumc1 or YouTube @nohofumc
Virtual Coffee Fellowship at 11:30 AM on Zoom every Sunday | Meeting ID 285 041 605
Virtual Communion will be served on June 7th via our online worship service.
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by June 17th for the July 2020 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
“NoHoFUMC is a community that practices the all-inclusive and transforming love of God as modeled by the life
and ministry of Jesus Christ. We celebrate our diversity in race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, age, gender, ability, citizenship, and socioeconomic status. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we welcome all people
into the full participation of the life of the church.”

Good News June 2020

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