The document provides information about the First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood including upcoming events like Palm Sunday and Easter services. It discusses plans to return to in-person worship on Pentecost (May 23rd) with safety protocols. The pastor writes that while excited to gather in-person, the transition will be gradual and cautious. An all-church meeting will be held on May 6th to discuss and approve the plans. The newsletter also highlights community member achievements and ongoing prayer requests.

1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
May 2021
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• In-Person Worship
• Altar Flower Sign Up
• Palm Sunday Drive-By
• Easter Eggstravaganza
• Congrats Dianne Lake
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
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
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from
heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where
they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on
each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. -Psalm 23:1-3, NKJV
It’s been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe and
forced us to shut down our in-person worship services. For the last thirteen
months, we have learned new skills, adjusted to new rhythms and patterns of
life, and figured out how to make the best of life even when faced with
something we didn’t choose. During this season of separation, I have been
grateful for your continued faithfulness, for the creative adaptability of our staff,
and the continued provision of God.
But today, as I await my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, I can finally see the
light at the end of the tunnel. That’s right: after more than a year, California is
finally heading to a space where we are making plans to return to in-person
worship. We are thinking about May 23rd as the day to return: the day of
Pentecost.
In our Christian tradition, the day of Pentecost is the Third High Holy Day: it
celebrates the Holy Spirit and the empowerment of God’s people to do God’s
work in the world. Theologians have often described it as an undoing of the
Tower Babel: instead of separating and confusing people so they could not
challenge God; they were given the power to speak in each other’s languages
and be unified in doing God’s work.
For us, the day will represent an undoing of the pandemic. It will happen
outside in the courtyard, where we will gather to hear the Pentecost scripture
being read, to offer prayers as an assembled body, and to hear a message which
both unifies us as one body and sends us forth to do God’s work.
Our process of coming together will be incremental. In a recent sermon, I
challenged you to be a good shepherd like Jesus and that challenge has become
something of a mantra to me. I recognize that our transition back into public
life and in-person worship represents another major shift in a time filled with
many questions over what is correct, appropriate, and safe. These transitions
can cause major stress and anxiety in people, and I hope to navigate this time
as carefully as we can to stay safe and keep stress and anxiety as manageable for
you all.
(continued on inside cover)
A LETTER FROM PASTOR STEVE

2. May Sermon Series: The Art of Abiding
Many years ago, the Cohen Brothers produced a film called “The Big Lebowski” which stars Jeff
Bridges as “The Dude.” The film has a cult-like following, and it spawned a phrase which appeared
on t-shirts, bumper stickers, coffee cups, and so on: “The Dude abides.” In the movie, it means that
“The Dude” will obey a stranger’s request to calm down and take it easy. But what does it mean when
Jesus tells us to abide in him? Throughout the month of May, we will track through a series of
scripture in the Gospel of John and unpack what it means to abide in Christ so we can produce the
Kingdom of God.
May 2 @thetruevine John 15:1-8
Jesus uses the branches and vines and bunches of fruit of a vineyard to introduce the concept of abiding. We
know we are abiding in Christ when our lives produce “fruit” which resembles the Kingdom of God.
May 9 @relationaljesus
Jesus describes the relationship he has with the disciples and with as “love” and “friendship.” All of his
commandments are based/rooted in these relationships so that the joy of all involved is made complete. We
know we abide in Christ when we love in ways which increase joy in the community.
May 16 #onewithjesus
Jesus refers to the relationship he has with “God the Father” to explain the relationship he shares with the
disciples and with us. Abiding in Christ is relational; not transactional. Jesus is not concerned with what is fair;
Jesus is concerned with oneness and love.
May 23 Pentecost #relatedbyspirit John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Jesus explains that the disciples will have a relationship with the Holy Spirit in the same way Jesus has. The Holy
Spirit is the way we abide with God, with Jesus, and to one another.
HIGHLIGHTS OF VIRTUAL WORSHIP
Piano - Jeff Thomas
Organ - Roger Eshleman
Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Mary Dennis
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
April 4 - Caterpillars & Butterflies
April 11 - Cal Pac Video
April 18 - Do You Believe?
April 25 - The Big Bad Wolf
Scripture Reader
April 4 - Hannah Ye-Books
April 11 - Marissa Wells
April 18 - Daniella Lake
April 25 - Lydia Folckomer
John 15:9-17
John 17:6-19
Pastor Steve Sermon Titles and Scripture
April 4 - “Transformation by Resurrection,” based on Mark 16:1-8
April 11 - “Cal-Pac Conference Video,” based on Acts 4:32-35
April 18 - “Not Quite Ready,” based on Luke 24:36b-48
April 25 - “More Than a Job,” based on John 10:11-18
Special Music
April 4 - Scott Peat on guitar. I Am Amazed.
April 11 - Cal-Pac Video
April 18 - Holly Gibson | Be Though My Vision
April 25 - Jenn Johnson | The Goodness of God
(continued from cover)
Please see the article about the return to in-person worship protocols and the All-Church Zoom Meeting on May
6th to discuss and approve our return to in-person worship. I am, like many of you, looking forward to being
together again, yet also anxious about adapting to a new routine. However, I know that God will be our
shepherd, and through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, we will find our way into a post-pandemic
future.
See You Soon,
Pastor Steve

3. A Return to In-Person Worship:
“it won’t be like it was...”
Do you hear that buzz? That’s right, in-person
worship could return to NoHo FUMC on
May23, at 10:30 AM. As excited as we are, it is
important for you to understand that we won’t
immediately be “back in the old groove.” We are
still in a transitional time where half the
population is vaccinated while half is either semi-
vaccinated or not vaccinated at all. As a result,
we will exercise the utmost of caution when
gathering as a community to worship in-person:
1. Masks will be required while on campus.
2. Physical distancing protocols remain in place:
please keep a distance of six-feet between you
and
those outside of your household or circle.
3. We will not have congregational singing until
the Annual Conference approves such practices.
4. All parking will be in the South Parking
Lot. Please keep the spaces close to the entrances
open
for those who are less ambulatory than
you.
5. If you feel sick or have symptoms of the
common cold or flu, please stay home.
6. If you are uncomfortable or unable to make it
to in-person worship, we will continue to produce
our online, virtual service into the future.
Now, for us to return to in-person worship, we
will have to approve this date and format as a
congregation. We will do this in an All-Church
ZOOM Meeting Thursday, May 6th, at 7:00PM.
The meeting ID is 883-0825-0461 and the
passcode is 288591. We look forward to
seeing you at the online meeting and hopefully,
in-person on Pentecost!
Dianne Lake will graduate from Yale Law School
on May 24, 2021!
At Yale Law School, she has served as the president
of the Black Law Students Association, a Dean’s
Advisor, and as a student director and advocate in
the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human
Rights Clinic.
Dianne has also worked for the Public International
Law and Policy Group, Arnold and Porter LLP, the
Clooney Foundation for Justice, and as a research
assistant to the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related
Intolerance.
Dianne spent the 2019-2020 academic year abroad
as a Yale Fox International Fellow exploring the
legal and socio-political implications of Ghana’s
“Year of Return” for the descendants of enslaved
Africans.
Before attending Yale Law School, she worked as a
Woodbridge Fellow for the Yale Office of
International Affairs and curated Yale’s
Contemporary African Arts and Culture Festival,
Africa Salon.
She received a B.A. in Political Science and
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from
Yale College in 2016. Dianne’s interests include
international law, African affairs, human rights,
racial and gender justice, transitional justice, and
the intersections of art and activism.
Congratulations, Dianne! We are looking forward
to your continued success and celebrating your
accomplishments! CHANGE THE WORLD!

4. Palm Sunday 2021

7. May your birthday be filled with blessings!
Love, Your Church Family
May 1 Ken Ellis
May 4 Kim Miller
May 6 Noah Fetterman
May 10 Shirley Kurushima
May 11 Dottie Vick
May 14 Shaun Vieten
May 16 Jodi Smith
May 18 Phil Roche
May 18 Steven Vick
May 22 Karin Ellis
May 24 Sinjin Doelitzsch
May 24 Melissa Noren
May 25 Ashley Peat
May 30 Phyllis Hannon
• Hanna Sack’s son, John, was killed in an accident on April 10th. He was struck by a car, while
walking in his neighborhood. Hanna and family need extra prayers, as they mourn this sudden, and
tragic loss.
• Bill Varney had a 7mm kidney stone removed and is at home on the mend.
• Ashley Wittman’s aunt, received a poor diagnosis, regarding her cancer.
• Scott Peat has been struggling with some chronic pain and had a procedure to lower his pain level.
• Jeff Thomas’ best friend, Dr. Rager Moore, passed away.
• Nancy Peat is still recovering from an infected cyst on her liver, that was removed.
• Betty Hogarth has fallen a few times and fractured her lower vertebrae. She is now in a rehab facility
and any cards would be appreciated. 1555 Superior Blvd., Room 7, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
• Prayers for our country and leadership.
• Prayers for the world as we all try to work together to end this pandemic.
• Prayers for those struggling financially and those looking for work.
• Prayers for those who are lonely. Those who are battling depression and anxiety.
• Prayers for our country and the deep division that needs our love, open minds, and understanding to
heal.
We are now looking into faux floral arrangements for our altar on
days that we do not have fresh altar flower sign ups for your
special occasions. David Blair, from Dee’s Flowers, is working on
something beautiful for our altar.
We will start taking altar flower sign ups, beginning June 6th.
~ Fresh altar flowers will be $35 per one arrangement.
~ Your flowers will be arranged in a recyclable pot. Allowing you
to take home your entire arrangement, in tact.
~ Please sign up with Nylean in the church office.
Thank you for blessing our worship space with flowers for Jesus!

8. LECTIONARY READINGS AND LITURGICAL INFORMATION - YEAR B
May 2 Fifth Sunday of Easter. White or Gold. Communion Sunday.
Acts 8:26-40; Ps. 22:25-31 (UMH 752); 1John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
May 9
Sixth Sunday of Easter. Mother’s Day. White or Gold.
Acts 10:44-48; Ps. 98 (UMH 818); 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
May 16 Seventh Sunday of Easter. White or Gold.
Acts 1:1-11; Ps. 47 (UMH 781); Eph. 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
May 23 Pentecost. Red. Back to In-Person Church (in our Courtyard)
Acts 2:1-21; Ps. 104:24-34, 35b (UMH 826); Rom. 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Sunday Worship Services are posted on YouTube @nohofumc
The link for worship can also be found, online, via Facebook @nohofumc1
Virtual Communion will be served on May 2nd during our online worship service.
In-Person Worship to commence, outdoors, in our courtyard, on Sunday, May 23rd, at 10:30 AM.
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by May 17th for the June 2021 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.”