First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

GOOD NEWSe-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net

JANUARY 2015facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Souper Bowl Sunday

• UMW News

• Mission Planning Meeting

• St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Greeting Cards

A NOTE FROM PASTOR JOEY

What attributes are important to you when imagining the pure holiness of God? Do flowing robes, thunder and lightening, long white hair, or a big throne come to mind? Mark I. Pinsky in his book The Gospel According to the Simpsons (The Spiritual Life of the World’s Most Animated Family) offers that in one episode Homer is asked after encountering Divinity to describe God’s attributes. Homer responds by saying, “Perfect teeth. Nice smell. A class Act All The Way.” Long before Matt Groening began to explore the wild verities of religious thought, the Psalmists were writing of the nature of Holiness. Psalm 29 is an ascription Psalm, thus called because the author ascribes the nature and qualities of God in the writing. Here the nature of God is likened to the One who calms the storm. Psalm 23, perhaps the most well known of ascribed Psalms, refers to God as a Shepherd.

As persons we ascribe qualities to each other and to life itself. At work and play we might say of one, “Like a mountain, he is immovable,” or another, “She is like a breath of fresh air.” There is a popular program called “The Apprentice.” It is hosted by Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, and the goal is to be the last one standing at the end of the competition in order to be given a job to run one of the Trump companies. The competition consists of tasks assigned to teams and the team which wins does not get fired. As teams fail, and part of the plan is for this to happen, people are called in to the office and are asked who should be fired. Trump asks what qualities led to the failure. At times, like animals, the teams attack one another listing all the negative attributes which caused the project to fail. Though I am aware this is entertainment, the ascriptions are for the most part negative even mean spirited at times, reminding us to more often than not it is much easier to name faults than goodness.

If we believe God to have the attributes of love, care, kindness, hope, and forgiveness; then we as humans are called to live toward those attributes. In a Trump-like competition one could make a case for God to be fired based on the evidence of the Twentieth Century alone, where there was more war, mayhem and green than anyone thought possible. However, creation is not a game it is a gift, and unlike Mr. Trump, God is not looking for an apprentice but partners. The call then becomes to overcome our frailties and excuses, and then simply get to work.

Your Friend and Pastor,Joey

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

Jessica RenslowDirector, Outreach Ministries

COME AND WORSHIPThe following Bible passages will be the basis for the messages in January

Please take time each week to read the selected passages.

January 4 Why Prayer Matters Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

January 11 To Regain Form Genesis 1:1-5

January 18 On Being Human

January 25 United Methodist Women Sunday TBD

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP

November 30th - Today was the grand opening of our 16th Annual Tree Lot! The Sanctuary was beautifully decorated with wreaths on this First Sunday of Advent. The United Methodist Women started off our tradition of lighting the Advent Candle of Hope. Pastor Joey’s sermon, “Live Your Strength,” was based on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9.

December 7th - On this Second Sunday of Advent our United Methodist Men lit the Candle of Peace. The Synchronicity Handbells performed “Moses Supposes & Ding Dong Merrily on High.” Today’s lectionary scripture was Mark 1:1-8 and Pastor Joey’s message was titled, “Finding Spiritual Direction.” Communion was also served this morning.

December 13th - This evening we experienced our 3rd Annual Christmas Organ Concert featuring Roger Eshleman. Roger shared selections from Johann Buttstett, Gordon Young, F. Flaxington Harker, Franz Gruber, and Johann Sebastian Bach for his prelude, interlude and postlude. He also played favorites like “I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Away In A Manger.

December 14th - This morning we enjoyed the first Sunday with our beautiful poinsettia tree which graced the chancel. The Missions Planning Committee shared in the lighting of our Advent Candle of Love. Our darling Sunday School children treated the congregation to a beautiful Christmas Pageant during worship service. Thanks to Lynne Hutton, all of the parents and volunteers and all of the children who participated. Gary Solt and Jeff Thomas performed “Blue Christmas.” Pastor Joey shared a message based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 in a sermon titled, “In Words We Know.”

December 21st - Rachel Mottaz sat in the lectern. The Nyaforh and Galvis-Shepard families shared in the lighting of the Advent Candle of Joy. The sacrament of holy baptism was shared with Hannah Dela Rosa and family. Special recognition was given to Tim Lahr in honor of his graduation. We also “Walked to the Manger” this morning and The Dela Rosas’ were the Holy Family. Pastor Joey’s message based on Luke 1:26-38 was called, “The God Of Possibilities.”

December 24th - Both 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM sermons were based on Luke 2:1-20. Special music was enjoyed by The Acosta Family, Roger Eshleman, Jeff Thomas, Gary Solt, EmmaThomas, Abigail Thomas and our wonderful choir. Genelita, Cesar, Brandon and Bryan Ancheta, shared in the lighting of the Christ Candle during 7:00 PM worship. Children’s Time was led by Patty Kelsey.

December 28th - Larry Pines sang “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.” Pastor Joey shared a message on Isaiah 61:10-62:3, titled, “What Suits You.”

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TREE LOT SEASON!

If you cooked a meal, put together a tree stand, greeted, carried a tree, used a chainsaw, worked as a cashier, bought a tree or told your family, friends and neighbors to purchase a tree...we thank you

from the bottom of our hearts!

Special thanks go out to the following folks:Ken Ellis, Margaret, Jim & Dan Doggett,

Pastor Joey and Muffett Brinkman

802 trees sold!

Also, many thanks to those volunteers who decorated the Sanctuary, Boyer Chapel &

Lounge! Anita McChesney, Jodi Smith, and Kim Miller.

A shout out to Pastor Joey, Patty Kelsey and the Wesley 5th graders for putting up the Poinsettia Tree and to Ken Ellis for putting up the chancel

Christmas trees with fire retardant.

vs.

It’s that time of year football fans! So here’s the game plan:

We are collecting cans of soup on January 11th, 18th, 25th and on Super/Souper Bowl Sunday, February 1st!

Place your donations of soup in the BIN you think will WIN!

We will have collection bins available for each conference in the Main Sanctuary.

Help us collect 200 cans of soup and tackle hunger for the North Hollywood Inter-Faith Food Pantry.

New England PatriotsDenver BroncosPittsburg SteelersIndianapolis ColtsCincinnati BengalsBaltimore Ravens

Seattle SeahawksGreen Bay Packers

Dallas CowboysCarolina Packers

Arizona CardinalsDetroit Lions

What’s Happening in January?

Wednesday, January 14th - UMW General Luncheon. 12:00 PM in the Lo-Fe-Lo Room. Birthday celebration and pledge service. $3.00 donation includes lunch.

Monday, January 12th - All-Church Movie Night in the Lounge. 6:45 - Dinner & 7:15 - Movie.

Sunday, January 11th - Mission Sunday canned food collection. Proteins are requested. Please also bring a few extra dollars designated for

Tuesday, January 27th - United Methodist Men meet in the Lounge. 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, January 14th- UMW Planning Meeting. Lo-Fe-Lo Room. 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM.

Monday, January 19th- Tabitha Fellowship 10:30 AM in Hand in Hand.Wednesday, January 21st - Ruth Circle meets at 7:30 PM. For location, ask Kathi Ellis. Saturday, January 24th - Missions Team Planning meeting 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Lounge. All are welcome to bring ideas and attend.

Monday, January 12thLounge

6:45 PM - Light Dinner7:15 PM - Movie

IF I STAY

Wednesday, January 28th - UMW Boutique Workshop. Community Room. 9:30 AM.

Sunday, January 25th - UMW Sunday. Worship this morning will be led by the women of our congregation.

GENERAL LUNCHEON

Wednesday, January 14th12:00 PM

Lo-Fe-Lo Room

$3 DonationIncludes lunch and program.

Monthly Birthdays Acknowledged & Celebrated Today!

***

UMW SUNDAYJanuary 25, 2015

10:30 AM worship will be led by the UMW this morning.

Monday, January 12th - Martha Circle meets in Hand in Hand at 11:00 AM.

Sunday, January 11th - FREEDOM WALK. See details inside!

Thursday, January 15th - PB & J Project See details below!

Thursday, January 15th7:00 PMLounge

Help us make 150 PB&J sandwiches for the homeless who visit the food

pantry on Fridays!

If you would like to help but can’t make it every third Thursday of each month, please donate supplies (peanut butter, jam, bread or sandwich bags.)

$40 will also sponsor the event!

PB & J PROJECT

RECYCLE GREETING CARDS

If you have greeting cards - used or new, Christmas or otherwise - that you don't want to save, please bring them to church and put them in the greeting cards collection box - on one of the lamp tables in the Lounge. The box will be in place until Sunday, February 1st. 

The front panel of the cards will be used by the young people at St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Nevada. They make new greeting cards by attaching a new back to the front panel. Each card is signed by the child who assembled it. Customers receive "green" holiday cards to use and the children receive payment for their work, learn basic job skills and the importance of "going green". These recycled cards are sold to support programs and services for abused, neglected and homeless children, young adults and families.

Card Donating Tips:* Greeting cards for any occasion can be used* Cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greetings Cards* Only fronts of cards can be used* Be sure the back of the cover is clear of any writing* 5” x 7” size cards or smaller preferred* Birthday and Thank You cards are in demand

On Giving Tuesday (December 2nd) 2014, more than $2.5 million was donated to over 770 UMCOR Advance projects and more than 300 missionaries.  The General Board of Global Ministries matched the first $1 million. Over 8,700 gifts were made on-line by donors from 25 countries.

HUMAN TRAFFICKINGBy Lynn Yoshizumi

Sunday, January 11th, is Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  It will convene at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1760 N. Gower St, Hollywood, CA.  Online registration closes on January 9 but walk-in registration will be available on the day of the event.  There is a registration fee of $18 and each walker will received a t-shirt and a bottle of water, and outreach flyers with information on human trafficking to distribute. (Freedom Fair will be in the Staff Parking lot on Gower and Carlos Ave.)

Walkers will be sent out in groups with different routes in order to reach the most people possible.  The various streets take walkers around Hollywood and back to the church.  It is not a traditional walk; it is more of an outreach to the public. You will be given handouts with information on identifying and reporting human trafficking.  If you are planning to go or have any questions, please call or email Lynn Yoshizumi - 818-764-8803, ryly63@att.net.

Schedule

12:30 pm     Walker Check-in at Mears Family Center

1:30 pm       Walk begins

3:00 pm       Walkers return

3:00 pmSpecial Presentation for walkers

Update - Missionaries in Thailand

The Angel’s Haven AIDS orphanage in Chiang Mai Thailand has grown to 12 Angels in the care of missionaries,

Gary and Cindy Moon.

Our church has been sending $1000 a year to Angel’s Haven the last 5 years.

Currently, over 8 angels are still in elementary school, 2 angels are in

junior high school and 2 of the teen angels are going to accelerated junior

high and vocational school simultaneously.

Wishing you a year filled with blessings!Love, Your Church Family

January 1 Deborah ByonJanuary 4 Molly MoffattJanuary 5 Mary SandersJanuary 6 Anthony DuffyJanuary 8 Paul EllisJanuary 10 Pam Orchard

January 11 Abbey ThomasJanuary 11 Emma ThomasJanuary 16 Jake OrchardJanuary 24 Dennis ParnellJanuary 24 Steve WattsJanuary 28 Julie ShufordJanuary 30 Phillip Mottaz

Deanne Cox will be undergoing peritoneal surgery this month.

Scott Peat’s Uncle Dave suffered a massive stroke. The family had to make a decision to remove him from life support on Friday, January 2nd.

Pat Grimm, friend of the Tyree’s, is requesting prayers for her daughter, Denise. Denise was diagnosed with cancer for a third time, in her brain and it is

terminal. Denise is determined to see her two teenage daughters grow up and asks for prayers of strength and courage for all of them.

Ron Sullivan is having complications from his liver transplant.

Nancy GatchellEntered the church triumphant on December 14, 2014.

Congratulations to Tim Lahr, who graduated from The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, with a Bachelor’s of Science in digital filmmaking

and video production.

Reflections! Joey K. "Donald

Isaiah 40:1-11 begins with the words, “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid...”  Here the prophet as a mouthpiece for God is sending a word of comfort and hope to those who had been sore oppressed by God for their misdeeds.  Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures came in two varieties.  The ones who were House shills, paid by those in authority to say what people wanted to hear, and the likes of Isaiah and others, elected by God to tell the truth in the name of love no matter what.  Little wonder that neither variety of Prophet was very popular.  Isaiah served for God to guide, and goad the people into a life of faithfulness.  Though this meant, at times, conflict in that he had to warn them of their sins and the impending punishment from God, it also was to remind them over and over again that God loved them, deeply, fully and completely.  The acceptance of this fact was not immediate by the people, for it took Israel nearly one thousand years to cease idol worship.  So comfort comes but at times not as quickly as we would like.

We live in a world of immediacy.  With e-mail, text messaging, the Internet and cell phones, we are never far away from information or communication.  All of these items and all of that technology in our homes and cars are meant to bring us convenience and comfort.  This became especially clear to me in 2007 when driving across the very large state of Texas.  My son, Aaron, and I were headed home after a work team effort in Mississippi. Having put in a very long day behind the wheel, we were hungry and did not know whether to get off the road and take our chances at the next town or not.  Aaron suggested we use the Global Positioning Satellite our rental car had.  To my amazement we were able to locate a perfect choice in San Antonio which the G.P.S. guided us to with those gentle tones of “in sixteen point eight miles exit the freeway.”  I didn’t have to think, only drive carefully, a great comfort.  A greater comfort still was finding good parking adjacent to the restaurant, then enjoying a great meal with my son before we journeyed on.  I don’t think it is too much of an exaggeration to say that Texas seems twice as long as California.  I will say this; long after that grueling drive, the comfort of that time spent with my son in San Antonio lingers.

Reflections are part of the weekly bulletin inserts for worship. This writing is originally from December 7, 2008. Dr. McDonald’s message, “How To Mapquest Comfort” was based on Isaiah 40:1-11

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

January 4 Epiphany Sunday. Second Sunday After Christmas. White or Gold. Isa 60:1-6; Ps. 72:1-7, 10-14 or (UMH 795); Eph. 3:1-12; Matt 2:1-12 January 11 Baptism of the Lord. First Sunday After the Epiphany. White or Gold. Gen. 1:1-5; Ps. 29; Acts 19:1-7; Matt. 1:4-11

January 18 Second Sunday After the Epiphany. Human Relations Day. Green. 1 Sam. 3:1-10, (11-20); Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

January 25 Third Sunday After the Epiphany. Green. Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Ps. 62:5-12; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

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

January 18 - Patty Kelsey January 25 - Sandra Smith

Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by January 17th for the February 2015 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

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/NurseryChildren’s Message every second & third Sunday of the month during 10:30 worship serviceCommunion will be celebrated on January 4th at 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM worship services.