First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

GOOD NEWSe-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Outback Rock VBS

• PB & Jam Project

• Summer Events

• Construction Update

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

Jessica RenslowDirector, Outreach Ministries

Here we are with a year half gone.  For some this is a time to pause and reflect on the long lists made in January.  For others a time to access the work done thus far, and for others still there remains a need to rethink, even perhaps regroup in light of the time. 

In spiritual matters this process is no less complicated.  People who strive to improve in the ways and means of faith move on a path fraught with the frailty of human existence.  Paul in his letter to the Romans then expresses his own struggle in the midst of theirs.  I know that all of God’s commands are spiritual, but I am not always.   Is this not your experience as well?   I decide to act one way then, I act another doing things I absolutely despise...this is why the love and command of God is necessary.” vv12-13   The Message 

Like so many of us Paul struggled with personal limitations.  Most of the chapter deals with his deep sharing of regret over, in his words, doing those things he did not want to do, and doing the very things he wanted not to do.  There is an old Communion liturgy based in part on the Anglican Book of Common Prayer which uses similar language, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” At the end of the chapter the Apostle, nearly beside himself with frustration over his limitations, says, “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.  I am at the end of my rope.  Is there no one who can do anything for me?   Isn’t that the real question?  The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.  He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions...”   The Message

Any of us who move thorough life with a plan deliberate or otherwise stop from time to time to get our bearings and evaluate.  The danger in this behavior rests between the areas of profound critical thinking and deep self criticism.  While there is great value in critical thinking, for it can correct flawed thought and action, self criticism taken too far can paralyze the heart, mind, and soul.   A couple of years ago, I was relating a frustration to one of my adult sons about a personal failure of some import at the time.  After listening for a bit my son looked at me and said pop it’s time to turn the page.  I said, “What? I don’t understand.”  To which my progeny licked his index finger and turned an imaginary page.  After a fashion this is what Paul is saying. In Christ we are given a fresh start from whatever blocks our path spiritually or impedes our progress as we endeavor to be and do good.  In the days, weeks and months ahead of what is left of this year may we keep our wetted index fingers poised and ready. 

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 July.

Please take time each week to read the selected passages.

July 5 Stricken Yet Blessed 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

July 12 Serving Up What Mark 6:14-29

July 19

July 26 Does God Have Your Email Ephesians 3:14-21

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP

May 31 - Norman Kelsey and Phillip Mottaz shared June events during a special announcement segment of worship. Pastor Joey shared a message on Isaiah 6:1-8, titled, “Does God Tweet?”

June 7 - Today was Choir Recognition Sunday. The Synchronicity Handbells performed “God So Loved The World” for the congregation. We took a moment to recognize the Choir for their dedication and hard work during the year. Patty Kelsey & Pastor Joey shared some words of gratitude to our Choir, our Choir Director, Jeff Thomas, and organist, Roger Eshleman. Pastor Joey’s sermon was based on 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 titled, “Think Thoughtfulness.”

June 14 - Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “Growing Hope,” based on Mark 4:26-34. Communion was served this morning.

June 21 - Today was Father’s Day and all the gentlemen in attendance received a special gift. Shaun Vieten accompanied Libeck Kadu on the guitar as she sang, Love You So Much. Patty Kelsey shared a moment with the children about David and Goliath! The kids enjoyed sitting beneath a life size drawing of Goliath as the story was told and they learned to not focus on how big our problems are but how big our God is! Pastor Joey shared a message on Psalm 9:9-20 was titled “A Safe Place.”

June 28th - Patty Kelsey shared Vacation Bible School success with the congregation. Rachel Mottaz shared the project the kids worked on at VBS and the children performed, Do Lord & I Will Not Be Afraid, led by Libeck Kadu. Pastor Joey’s sermon, “A Healing Touch,” was based on Mark 5:21-43.

Ephesians 2:11-22Belief And Belonging

Over a month ago I discovered in the check-out box the card for the book “Small Things with Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor”. The last date the book was checked out was June 2014 and that person definitely returned the book to the library.  But the book is nowhere to be found. We would very much like to have it returned so that others can read it. If you borrowed this book or know who did, please let me know. Or you can simply leave it in the box beside the computer.

Thank you from your church Librarian,Lynn Yoshizumi

Mark Your Calendars!

Sunset SocialsWednesday, July 29th Evening of Awe & Wonder7:00 PM on the Patio

Wednesday, August 26thDINNER

6:30 - 8:30 PM on the PatioHAWAIIAN THEME

Dress in your tropical duds!Enjoy the end of Summer...

Outdoor

Wednesday, July 15thGather outside the Lounge

7:00 PM - Dinner8:00 PM - Outdoor Movie

Return of the Jedi

Dinner & Popcorn Provided!

*Bring blankets, beach chairs or bean bags!(chairs provided for those who cannot sit on the ground).

Join us for an evening of live poetry readings, music, and inspiration.

Mark your calendars for the next All Church Outdoor Movie Night Wednesday, August 5th at 7:00 PM

What’s Happening in July?

Wednesday, July 29th - Evening of Awe & Wonder. 7:00 PM on the Patio. Poetry, music, inspiration.

Sunday, July 12th- Mission Sunday! Bring non-perishable foods for the Food Pantry. Peanut Butter and Tuna requested. Please bring a few extra dollars for your offering!

PLEASE NOTE:THERE WILL BE NO BASKETBALL DURING CONSTRUCTION

Program Ministries is looking for those interested in a PAINT NIGHT! The Paint Nite company would provide artist instruction, canvas, brushes, and paints for a 2-hour class.

We would need 20 people minimum who would be willing to pay $40 for materials. It would be for August and Programs will provide food & beverage. Let the church office know.

Sunday, July 5th - Methodist Men sing on Independence Sunday during 10:30 worship.

Thursday, July 16th7:00 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!

Evening of Awe & Wonder

Wednesday, July 29th7:00 PM

Patio

Join us for an evening of inspiration under the beautiful crepe myrtle trees,

moon & shining stars.

Sunday, July 5thWelcome Back Pastor Joey & Sue McDonald!

SPRC will recognize Pastor Joey & Sue during 10:30 worship.

Wednesday, July 15th - All Church Outdoor Movie Night! Gather in front of the Lounge at 7PM for Food, Popcorn and a Movie under the stars!

Tuesday, July 14th - Methodist Men meet at Hill Street Cafe, 3301 N. Glenoaks Blvd. 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, July 22nd - United Methodist Women Boutique Workshop meet in the Community Room at 9:30 AM.

Tuesday, July 14th7:30 PM

Hill Street Cafe3301 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Burbank

Join the Methodist Men for food, fellowship, planning

and devotion.

All are welcome!

No reservations required.

Wednesday, July 15th - Ruth Circle meets at 7:30 PM in the Community Room.

Thursday, July 16th - PB & J Project meets in the Lounge at 7:00 PM.

THE WESLEY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - UPDATE 1  By Doug Eboch, Visioning Committee Chair

As you may have noticed, construction has begun on the first of the new buildings! This is phase one of the project and when complete will house the Wesley School administrative offices and reception area (the current office area will become classroom space).

There was a ceremonial groundbreaking on June 11th with Pastor McDonald, John Walter (Head of Schools for the Wesley School) and Kevin Plunkett (Chair of the Wesley School Board) pushing a golden shovel into the ground. Visioning Chair Doug Eboch, Finance Chair Jim Tyree, and Staff-Parish Chair Myriel Tyree represented the church at the ceremony. Now the professional construction workers take over. In July the site will be graded, concrete will be poured and work will begin on the steel structure. There will necessarily be some disruption, but we are working with the architect to mitigate any inconvenience. The sports court has been temporarily pulled up to protect the surface, which means basketball will be suspended for much of the summer. Some areas of the parking lot will be impacted, but the North Parking Lot continues to be available for church use, and most of the South Parking Lot will be available on Sunday mornings. If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to the attention of the church office or the church Board of Trustees. This project has been a long time in the making and we are very excited to see it begin!

FAIR TRADE COFFEE

Fair Trade is a social movement with the goal of helping producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions and promoting

sustainability. Fair Trade organizations seek to alleviate these problems by first ensuring that the farmers receive a fair price for their beans and

second by paying the farmers right away.The first few bags have been donated by church members. If youʼd like us to continue this practice, please leave a cash donation at fellowship

or purchase fair trade coffee grounds and bring them with you to church.

PEANUT BUTTER & JAM SANDWICHESBy Lynn Yoshizumi

Tim Lahr and his employer, Thrivent Financial, provided the bread and jam for the peanut butter and jam sandwiches on Thursday, June 18.  Thrivent, a non-profit organization, provides company funds for its employees to donate to charities.  In addition to the sandwich supplies, Tim also presented the volunteers with t-shirts – black with a big red & gray heart and the Thrivent motto “Live Generously”. The hangtag displayed Generosity Tip #22: “Buy coffee for the person behind you”. Unfortunately, Tim was not able to assist that evening because he had to work. We are very appreciative of the contribution given by Tim and Thrivent. It wasn’t necessary for Tim/Thrivent to provide any peanut butter even though usually five 30-32 oz. jars are needed because generous volunteers have made it unnecessary for me to purchase any peanut butter since May 2014. Many people have contributed but I especially want to mention Kathi Ellis and Mila Cruz who bring peanut butter and/or jam every time they help with the sandwich making. Mila even brought a friend with her in June. Thank you to all who have volunteered to make sandwiches and those who have provided bread, peanut butter, jam and Ziploc sandwich bags. Please join us in the Lounge on the 3rd Thursday of the month if you want to participate in an evening of sandwich making and camaraderie.

WELCOME BACK PASTOR JOEY & SUE MCDONALD

Staff Parish Relations Committee would like to welcome back Dr. Joey K. McDonald to his 25th year at

North Hollywood First United Methodist Church!

SPRC will take a moment to recognize Pastor Joey on Sunday, July 5th, during 10:30 AM worship.

!ank Y" For Y"r Kindness & Generosity

OUTBACK ROCK VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLBy Patty Kelsey

VBS was a day filled with music, games, Bible stories, projects and all around fun! Once again, we transformed Boyer Chapel with wall murals, decorations and audio visual equipment and took our kids on a journey of faith through the Australian Outback! Our focus was on our key verse from Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, even until the end of the age.” Our Bible point: God is always with us! Believe it!

Outback Rock LeadersLynne Hutton - Music & More

Rachel Mottaz - Projects Deanne Cox - Bible Stories

Julie Shuford - Bible Stories & PicsMuffett Brinkman - Games

Outback AssistantsDaniella Lake

Morenike LakeNylean Rapinac

Brandon AnchetaLibeck Kadu

Thank you to Moms for lunch, to Pastor Joey for your support, & to

Digby for teaching us about Australia!

During VBS, Rachel taught the kids how to make “Wash-a-roos” for people in need. They were made with a new washcloth and a new bar of soap. Each wash-a-roo had a handwritten note of from each child.

Ashley lovingly works on her wash-a-roo

Rachel & Henry with Joe, who is in charge of the

shower program at Hope of the Valley

Rescue Mission

Digby shows us how to throw a boomerang!

Digby plays the didgeridoo for us!

Outback

Games

Watching a story of faith.

Wishing you many blessings on your birthday!Love, Your Church Family

July 1 Alexander ParnellJuly 2 September SucherJuly 4 Betty HogarthJuly 5 Joyce CunninghamJuly 9 Heemanshu BhagatJuly 9 Byron HayesJuly 11 Howard KurushimaJuly 12 Steven EllisJuly 12 Chris KoenigsaeckerJuly 13 Sage Doelitzsch

July 18 Francis NyaforhJuly 19 Andrew MerrillJuly 23 DeAnne HayesJuly 24 Helena WalleJuly 26 Wendy NeckelsJuly 28 Kevin EllisJuly 28 Roger EshlemanJuly 28 Gary SoltJuly 31 David Cox

Deanne Cox needs continued prayers as she continues peritoneal dialysis and is healing from peritonitis.

Joanie Weber has stage 1 breast cancer. She had a successful lumpectomy and is waiting to begin her radiation treatments.

Lisa Cheby’s friend, David Rojas’s mother, had a few small strokes. Her mental capacities are all intact, but she has a year of therapy ahead to recover physical capacities on her right side.

Pastor Joey’s brother, Tom, has been hospitalized due to complication from his brain tumor removal surgery and treatment.

Are you or your loved ones in need of prayer(s)? You can send the church your prayer requests one of three ways: Call the church office at (818) 763-8231; Email us at nohofumc@pacbell.net or leave a written note in the prayer chapel.

Lisa Cheby’s friend, Amy’s father, Gary Bennett, has had a biopsy for lumps found in his adrenal glands. They are awaiting results.

Ed Zung needs continued prayers as he adjusts to the removal of his stomach.

June 3 - Wendy WelchWe’re sorry we missed your birthday!

Anne Roche’s brother, Rick Davis, is still undergoing treatment for his brain tumor. Pattie Rogers has two relatives recently

diagnosed prostate cancer. Her brother-in-law, Steve and cousin Maxwell.

Lynne Hutton and her son Kirby need prayers of continued strength.

Muffett Brinkman’s step-mom, Mary, suffered a massive stroke. She was taken off life support on July 1st.

Reflections! Joey K. "Donald

Reflections are part of the weekly bulletin inserts for worship. This writing was originally from June 6, 2009.Dr. McDonald’s sermon was titled “Where Pride Resides” based on Psalm 20.

According to scholars Psalm 20 is attributed to David.  It was most probably a sacrifice liturgy offered in hope for strength and vitality in battle.  The opening is a clear indication of prayer. “May the Lord answer you in your day of trouble.  May God grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.”  Rather than enter into a misguided argument over who God favors in war, I would prefer to consider the spiritual grounding of one who prepares for conflict with a song and prayer.  There is an adage which says, “If you don’t have a plan for success, then plan on failure.”  Of course there is an equally powerful statement about the futility of over planning attributed to the late singer John Lennon which reads, “We make plans and God laughs.”  Whether we fall on one side or the other in this equation or somewhere in between this much is clear.  The reality of life is effective human existence requiring a certain amount of discipline, order and preparation to accomplish most any task great or small.

What we seek to accomplish is, more often than not, tied in some manner or measure to what some call core values; elements of life we hold in high regard and value as extraordinary. When we talk about family, education, faith, sustainable living, financial security or meaningful work, we are naming our core values.  Thoughts and elements to live toward because they stir in us something high and hopeful.

My favorite line of Psalm 20 is verse seven. “Some take pride in chariots, and some in their horses; but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.”  While we may not be entering battle in the same way David was, still each day we must go forth into life knowing that there are those who will oppose us simply because it is the desire of their heart.  How much more essential it is to seek the High and Holy presence which guides and girds us.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

July 5 Sixth Sunday After Pentecost. Independence Sunday. Green. 2 Sam. 5:1-5, 9-10; Ps. 48 or (UMH 782); 2 Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 July 12 Seventh Sunday After Pentecost. Green. 2 Sam. 6:1-5, 12b-19; Ps. 24 or (UMH 755); Eph. 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

July 19 Eighth Sunday After Pentecost. Green. 2 Sam. 7:1-14a; Ps. 89:20-37 (UMH 807); Eph. 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 26 Ninth Sunday After Pentecost. Green. 2 Sam. 11:1-15; Ps. 15 (UMH 746); Eph. 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

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/NurseryChildren’s Time every 2nd & 3rd Sunday at 10:30 worship.

Communion will be served on Sunday, July 5, 2015.

8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel July 5- Pastor Joey July 12 - Norman Kelsey July 19 - Patty Kelsey July 26 - Sandra Smith

Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by July 17th for the August 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