First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

GOOD NEWSe-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net

May 2014facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Mother’s Day Brunch

• Plantin’ In The Park

• Music Man in June

• Care Kits for Hope

GOOD NEWS is published monthly by First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood, California 91601

Phone (818) 763-8231

Minerva CarcañoBishop

Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth District Superintendent

Dr. Joey K. McDonaldPastor

CongregationMinisters

Jeff ThomasDirector of Music

Roger EshlemanOrganist

Nylean RapinacAdministrator

Patty KelseyDirector, Program Ministries

Jessie RenslowDirector, Outreach Ministries

A while back a friend shared a wonderful poem with me.  The title is Hide and Seek.  The author is Reverend Robert Raines, a Presbyterian Minister.  The theme of being lost in self and in turn found by God is topical in any season. The words of Rev. Raines at once confront and comfort and I trust you will find them meaningful.

“Hide and Seek”

“I’m a child playing hide and seek, waiting for someone to find me and say, ‘you’re it!’  And you did it Lord.  You found me hiding in the silliest, saddest places; behind old grudges, under tons of disappointment, tangled up in guilt, smothered by my success, choking on sobs of pain that nobody hears.

You found me Lord, You whispered my name.  You said,  ‘You’re it,’ and I believe you mean it.  And now maybe the silent tears can roll out of my throat and get wet on my cheeks, and now maybe I don’t have to play hide and seek anymore.”

The style and poetry of Psalm 139 lends itself to this thought reading in part, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.  You have searched out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways, vv. 1-3. This thought is amplified in vv.7-9; “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there, if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.  If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.” 

Both of these writings remind us that God is a real and present element in the lives of people of faith.  To paraphrase one theologian, “No matter how far we run, the Hound of Heaven hunts us down.  Pattering after us with a grace and love far greater than we ever imagined.”  We can run from God but in the end we cannot hide from God.  For the love, care and strength will come to find us.  

Your Friend and Pastor,Joey

A NOTE FROM PASTOR JOEY

COME AND WORSHIPThe following Bible passages will be the basis for the 10:30 messages in May.

Please take time each week to read the selected passages.

May 4 Driving Instructions Acts 2:14a, 36-41

May 11 Common Christians Acts 2:42-47 May 18 The Nectar Of Kindness

May 27 God Has Left The Building

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP

March 30th - On this fourth Sunday in Lent, Norman Kelsey and Phillip Mottaz presented announcements in Dodger Baseball fashion. Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “Not The Obvious Choice,” based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

April 6th - This morning we shared in the Baptism of 5 year old Riley Elias. A white rose was on the altar in memory of Robert (Bob) Dodge, who lost his brief battle with leukemia on March 20th. The UMW had a pop-up boutique set up in front of the lounge. The scripture today was Romans 8:6-11 and Pastor Joey’s message was titled, “Spiritually Seeking.”

April 13th - On Palm Sunday we had the Sunday School kids process down the center aisle waving palms as the Choir led our opening hymn. The Synchronicity Handbells performed a lovely medley (All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and For the Beauty of the Earth.) During the Time with Children, Patty Kelsey told the kids about why we celebrate Palm Sunday and the symbolism of Palms. Pastor Joey shared a message on Matthew 21:1-11 called, “A Road Story.”

April 17th - Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service returned for the third year in a row and many people were in attendance to share in this special Office of Shadows. Pastor Joey welcomed worshipers and served communion. Many thanks to our readers, Norman Kelsey, Deanne Cox, Doug Eboch, Rhonda Scott, Rachel Mottaz, Shaun Vieten, Chuck Schafer, Lynne Hutton, Julie Shuford and Brandon Ancheta for making the story of Jesus’ final moments come to life. Roger Eshleman also played the Hammond Organ.

April 18th - Good Friday worship included Roger Eshleman on the Organ and Piano. Special music by Shaun Vieten and Libeck Kadu. Pastor Joey shared a message based on Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Communion was also served this evening.

April 20th - Happy Easter! Today we enjoyed the gorgeous Easter Lily Cross which was assembled by Frank Rapinac, Pastor Joey, Jeff Thomas and Patty Kelsey. It was also Hat Sunday. 6:30 Sunrise Service was led by Norman Kelsey sharing a message titled, “Celebrating Nothing and Everything.” We had about 3 dozen worshipers join us for this beautiful morning of worship. Lynne Hutton accompanied the congregation on piano. Pastor Joey shared Communion. A continental breakfast was served on the patio following Sunrise Service. 9:00 am Boyer Chapel with Pastor Joey included our choir, Jeff Thomas & Roger Eshleman. Pastor Joey’s sermon was based on Colossians 3:1-4, titled, “A Revelation In Waiting.” 10:30 main sanctuary: Children’s Moment was led by Patty Kelsey using eggs to talk about “Expectations.” Dan Doggett sang a solo. Jeff Thomas and Gary Solt shared their performance of “Change The World” at both 9:00 and 10:30 services. Pastor Joey sermons were based on John 20:1-18 and titled, “Slouching Towards Salvation.” A special plant was given in memory of Ted and Betty Kenessey. A pink rose was put on the altar for the birth of Teegan

April 27th - Lisa Cheby shared an original poem with the congregation and Pastor Joey’s sermon was “To Bear Witness To Love,” based on Acts 2:14a, 22-32.

1 Peter 2:2-10

Acts 17:22-31

What’s Happening in May?

Saturday, May 17th - BIG SUNDAY EVENT “Plantin’ In The Park!” 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Malibu Creek State Park. Sign up with Chuck Schafer!

Sunday, May 11th - Missions Sunday! Please bring nonperishable proteins to donate to the Food Pantry! (Tuna, Peanut Butter, Chili)

Sunday, May 4th - Missions Team Meeting. Following Coffee Hour in the Hand in Hand room.

Sunday, May 11th - Mother’s Day. All ladies who attend church will receive a special gift.

Saturday, May 10th - Our Annual UMW Mother-Daughter Brunch takes place in the Social Hall. 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Entertainment by River Oak Sweet Adelines.

Saturday, May 17th8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join the Missions Team at Malibu Creek State Park

1925 Las Virgenes RoadCalabasas, CA 91302

We will be caring for plants to help restore the native habitat at Malibu

Creek State Park.

Carpool: Meet at 7:00 AMChurch South Lot

National Day of Prayer - May 1st Today, all people of different faiths in the United States are

asked to pray for the nation and its leaders. The prayer chapel will be open from 9am - 6pm.

Wednesday, May 21st- Ruth Circle meets at the home of Deanne Cox. 7:30 PM.

Monday, May 19th - Tabitha Circle Meets at 10:30 AM in the Hand in Hand Room.

Thursday, May 22nd - BUNCO BUNCH meets at 7:30 PM in the Lounge!

Monday, May 12th - Martha Circle Meets at 11:00 AM in Hand in Hand.

Tuesday, May 28th- United Methodist Men meets at 7:30 PM. Hill Street Cafe on Glenoaks.

Tuesday, May 13th - All Church Movie Night! 6:45 PM Light Supper. 7:15 PM Movie. (See below.)

MAY 4, 18, & 254:00 PM - 5:30 PM

LOUNGE

Pastor Joey leads DVD and web-based study:

First LightJesus and the Kingdom of God

You do not need to attend every study in order to participate. Sign up with the church office so we can have

materials prepared for you.

MEN’S CHORUSThe UMM invite all men to sing a salute to Mother’s

on Sunday, May 11th at 10:30 Worship.We will rehearse on 5/4 following worship and 5/11 at

9:15 AM in the choir room.

ALL CHURCH

Hosted by David Eshleman

Tuesday, May 13thMeet in the Lounge

6:45 PM - Dinner7:15 PM - Movie

Thursday, May 15th- PB & J Project meets in the Lounge at 7:00 PM. Come make 150 sandwiches for the homeless.

Saturday, May 24th- Operation Gratitude at the Van Nuys Armory. Shift is 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

The United Methodist Women Cordially Invite All the Ladies

to the annual

Mother’s Day BrunchSaturday, May 10th

10:30amin the Social Hall

Entertainment by: The River Oak Sweet Adelines

!e Ru" Circle invite y# to $ Glendale Center !eater

Deadline to order tickets via Kathi Ellis is Wednesday, May 21st!

Meet at 6:00 PM for Dinner at Damon's Steak House before the play!  

(Uses the same parking lot as the theater)      

Let Kathi know if you will be meeting for dinner when you reserve your tickets for the play!

      It % a fun evening so JOIN US!

!ursday, June 26

8:' PM

Tickets -$20

ALSO, PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FOR...The Annual United Methodist Women Membership Tea

Wednesday, June 11 at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall

Deanne Cox and Ralph Seybold delivered 150 Easter Baskets to Hope of the Valley

Rescue Mission on Wednesday, April 16th.

Ken Craft sent a note to our congregation thanking us for making a difference in the

lives of the needy, homeless children whose families get assistance from their rescue.

Hope of the Valley Staff were at the ready to help

unload baskets!

A care kit was handed out to Gary (above) off the 101 Freeway and Hollywood Blvd. He had a great sign to remind us not to ignore the homeless. Another homeless young man told us that

the care kit was his Easter gift and immediately drank the bottled water.

“Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”

~Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Thank you for making a difference in our

community!

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

~Mother Teresa

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”~Mahatma Ghandi

MAY MISSION TEAM ACTIVITIESBy Lynn Yoshizumi

The Mission Team has scheduled a number of activities in May and we hope you will be able to participate in one or more of them.

Saturday, May 10 - US Postal Service annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection.Your letter carrier will collect your perishable food donations when dropping off your mail that day. Volunteers are needed to assist with the transfer of food from the letter carriers to the Pantry’s rented truck at the Mission Hills Postal Annex, 10919 Sepulveda Blvd, Mission Hills, 5 to 6 pm. Volunteers are also needed on Sunday, May 11, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm to sort and stack food at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. To volunteer, please call NHIFP at 818-760-3575. Leave your name, your phone number and email address, and the day you are volunteering for. Community service credit will be given to students for either day.

Sunday, May 11 - Mission SundayPlease bring jars of peanut butter, cans or pouches of tuna and soups high in protein and deposit them in the plastic bin outside Boyer Chapel.

Thursday, May 15 - PB&J Project Assembly - 7 pmJoin us in the Church Lounge for fun & fellowship while we work. A great big THANKS to all those who participated in April. During the Maundy Thursday service, we heard Jesus command that we love one another and immediately put it into action working together as we made sandwiches for those who are homeless.

Big Sunday Weekend, Friday, May 16-Sunday, May 18.The selected activity will be publicized via the weekly email message and church bulletin. It will be something that the whole family can participate in.

Saturday, May 24 - Operation Gratitude.Join the group from the church who will be going to the California Army National Guard Armory at 17330 Victory Blvd in Van Nuys from 9 am to 12 noon. There will be both seated and standing jobs and “Prep” and “Assembly” work. “Prep” work consists of sorting donated items, folding shirts, screening letters, and otherwise preparing the products and the Assembly Line. “Assembly” work includes production of the care packages, labeling, taping, custom forming, letter reading and writing, running packages, re-stocking the lines, breaking down cartons and many other tasks. If you plan to attend, please call me at 818-764-8803 so I can pre-register our group.

HOPE OF THE VALLEY RESCUE MISSION & THE LA MARATHON

HOTVR Mission CEO Ken Craft thought his brother was kidding when he suggested that both of them run the LA Marathon to raise funds for the Mission. “I’ve never run a marathon, I am out of shape and I don’t even like running,” he lamented prior to the race. But, not wanting to lose face to his younger brother, with only 2 weeks preparation, he agreed to run.

Ken and his brother James completed the marathon in 6 hours, 11 minutes and raised nearly $23,000!

The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry (NHIFP) receives more than half of all the food that is collected by the letter carriers. To volunteer for the collection events, please call the NHIFP at 818-760-3575 and leave the day you are volunteering for, your phone number and email address. Community service credit will be given to students for either day. For further information, contact, Steve Cabrillos at steve@anthologychurch.com.

Our church Pantry Sunday is the second Sunday of the month - for May that is the 11th - you can bring your food items to the church and place them in the large plastic container outside the Boyer Chapel on Pantry Sunday or any other Sunday.  You can help "stamp our hunger" by leaving food for your letter carrier or bringing it to the church.

Thanks for all you do to help needy families in our community.

STAMP OUT HUNGERBy Lynn Yoshizumi

It’s time for the 21st annual USPA Letter Carriers’ Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger!” Come by to unload and store food for the Food Pantry!

Saturday, May 10th from 3:00 - 7:00 PM The Mission City Postal Annex

10919 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills, CA. 91345

Sunday, May 11th from 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM Temple Beth Hillel

12326 Riverside Drive Valley Village, CA. 91607

In an effort to provide clients with fresh produce, the Pantry is partnering with Food Forward, a non-profit organization whose mission is to rescue fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same. Throughout the year this volunteer-powered organization forms pick teams of up to a dozen people who spend a couple of hours at a property to which they have been invited gleaning excess fruit on trees. 100% of the fruit that is picked is donated to local direct-service agencies who feed our community’s most vulnerable. In addition to picking produce, Food Forward also has recovery programs at both farmers markets and wholesale produce markets to collect fresh produce donated by the farmers at the end of the market day.

How can you help? If you have fruit trees with excess fruit on them any time during the year, phone Food Forward at 818-530-4125 or e-mail to info@foodforward.org. A harvest coordinator will visit your property to determine when the harvest should be and how many pickers will be needed. You can specify that you want the fruit to go to NHIFP and receive a tax deduction for your donation. The Pantry Board is hoping that there will be enough volunteers from the various congregations that are members of the Pantry Coalition to create one or two pick teams that would work in the east valley area to harvest produce that is being donated to the Pantry. Pick sessions usually last 2½ hours and no training is necessary. You can volunteer to pick by calling or e-mailing Food Forward. To learn more about Food Forward, go to their website www.foodforward.org.

HELP US MAKE CARE KITSDo you have a drawer filled with mini toiletries from various hotels (shampoo, conditioner, lotion) or maybe you are collecting pre-packed utensils and napkin sets from take-out at restaurants and you don’t know what to do with them?

Donate them to the Missions Team!

We are assembling Care Kits to be kept in your car for those moments you are out on the road and find people in need.

We are also interested in collecting:• Travel size toothpaste• Toothbrushes• Tissue Travel Packs• Chapstick• Hand Sanitizer• Travel size deodorant• Travel size baby wipes or wet-naps • Travel size shaving cream• Non-perishable snacks

Please drop these items off at the Church office!

WAYS TO HELP THE CHRONIC HOMELESSBy Patty Kelsey

THRIFT STORES HELP THE NEEDYBy Lynn Yoshizumi

Both the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and The Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission have large Thrift Stores where you can buy or donate gently used clothes and household items.

The San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission is located at 13422 Saticoy St., NoHo. You can shop there or drop items off every day of the week. For pick-ups, call 800-417-5678.

Hope of the Valley Thrift Store is at 8165 N. San Fernando Rd. in Sun Valley. For pick-ups, call 818-392-0020.

Both thrift stores provide clothing to the homeless free of charge, jobs in the community, job training for the homeless, bargain deals for the poor and great finds for thrift store shoppers. Plus all net proceeds fund existing and new programs for care for the homeless.

COLLECTION DAYS IN JUNE

Bring your donations on the following Sundays:

June 1, 8, 15 & 22

Care Kit Prep DayTuesday, June 24th

on the Patio

Care Kit Assembly DaySunday, June 29th

During Coffee Hour

May your birthday be filled with blessings!Love, Your Church Family

May 1 Ken Ellis May 1 Mike MorseMay 3 Dorothy TylerMay 4 Jim DoggettMay 4 Ruth GlassMay 4 Kim MillerMay 6 Noah FettermanMay 6 Jackie TaftMay 10 Shirley KurushimaMay 11 Dottie Vick

May 16 Ryan SmithMay 18 Phil RocheMay 18 Steven VickMay 22 Karin EllisMay 24 Sinjin DoelitzschMay 24 Melissa NorenMay 25 Ashley PeatMay 30 Phyllis HannonMay 30 Edward ZungMay 31 Pam Lippert

GOOD NEWS --   Phyllis Hannon reports that son, Gary, has had many tests at the Cancer Center and the Drs. are just going to monitor the tumor that is at the base  of his head/neck area.  The vision and muscle symptoms are from something else that can be treated with medication.  Phyllis thanks everyone for their concern and prayers.

Three-year-old Anthony Duffy has been diagnosed with Autism and Apraxia of speech. The family is requesting our prayers during this challenging time.

Betty Hogarth14951 Crystal Circle.

Irvine, CA 02604Cell: 818-848-2980

i

Gary Iseminger, dear friend of Patty & Norman Kelsey, has been on the organ transplant list for 4 years since having kidney failure. His doctors are not strongly suggesting dialysis 3-times a week for life. We hope that he can find a living tissue donor or have a proper match from the donor list.

Minette Harris fell on Saturday, April 26th and broke her tail bone.

Frank Rapinac’s cousin, Tom Turner, would like prayers that the growths on his throat are benign.

Andy Merrill will be undergoing open heart surgery on May 7th.

Patty Kelsey’s cousin, Meiji Tokahuta, had a silent miscarriage of their second child.

Reflections( Joey K. )Donald

Reflections are part of the weekly bulletin inserts for worship. This writing is originally from April 17, 2011 and Dr. McDonald’s sermon was titled “A Broken Vessel in Search of Glue” based on Psalm 31:9-16

There is a colloquial phrase which states, “If  it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” yet we devote a good deal of time effort and money endeavoring to do just that. From Aunt Lois’ favorite butter dish to some pottery given us by our grandmother, we seek to mend and fix everything around us.  We have become ingenious people thanks to technology, and science.  The development of adhesives and solvents allows us to fix and repair a wide variety of things.  We know how to get gum out of hair, or off of a running shoe.  We can remove road tar from our cars. We can figure out how to get wax out of a carpet.  There are glues which contain names we cannot pronounce that enable us to repair everything from fine china to a leather belt.  However, what if the broken item is a heart, mind, or soul.  For these we have books, seminars and sessions with a therapist, or spiritual advisor.     

These precious elements can be broken, and mangled as well.  Left, so to speak, at the curb like yesterdays trash, unfit even for the thrift store. What might be done to mend them?  The writer of the thirty-first Psalm knew about the stress and strain of a broken life, and more importantly, was practiced in how to mend and heal things. In verse nine the words are telling. “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.”  This becomes more intense and explicit in verse twelve, and thirteen. “I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many--terror all around!--as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.”  Now the repair is told in verse fourteen, as the Psalmist reveals that which will mend life at its very core.   “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are My God.’”  This statement of reliance becomes spiritual glue capable of holding a wreck of a life together says the Psalmist.

Long before Brother Lawrence wrote of “practicing being in the presence of God,” the writer of this prayer was schooled in how a Holy relationship helps us hold on, keeping us whole.  Centuries ahead of the writing or singing the Palmist was, “Taking It To The Lord, In Prayer.”  The inference is as simple as it is real. Fragile human earthliness is no match for the wonder of  Heavenly mucilage.   We may not be able to mouth the polymers employed to put a vase back together, yet when we say ‘O Lord, Thou Art My Rock,’ we mend our very lives.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

May 4 Third Sunday of Easter. Native American Ministries Sunday. White or Gold. Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps. 116:1-4, 12-19 or (UMH 837); 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 May 11 Fourth Sunday of Easter. Festival of the Christian Home. Mother’s Day. White or Gold. Acts 2:42-47; Ps. 23 or (UMH 754 or 137); 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter. Heritage Sunday. White or Gold. Acts 7:55-60; Ps. 31:1-5, 15-16 or (UMH 764); 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter. White or Gold. Acts 17:22-31; Ps. 66:8-20 or (UMH 790); 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21

Sunday Worship Services at 10:30 AM in the Main SanctuaryAdult Sunday School meets at 9:15 AM in the Hand in Hand Room

Children’s Sunday School meets at 10:30 AM in the Community Room/NurseryJoin us for Children’s Time on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month during 10:30 Worship

Communion will be served on May 4th at 8:15 & 10:30 Service

8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel May 4 - Pastor Joey May 11 - Norman Kelsey

May 18 - Patty Kelsey May 27 - Sandra Smith

Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by May 17th for the June 2014 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 Hollywood4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601