First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

GOOD NEWSe-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Charge Conference

• Mother’s Day Brunch

• Little Free Library

• Mission Activities

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

In John 5:1-9 appears “The story of the healing of the lame man.” It follows eight verses in chapter 4 where a government official has asked Jesus to come to his home and heal his dying son. Rather than go, Jesus told him his son would be well. This prompted the official to believe. Following the second healing story beginning with verse 10, religious officials start asking if it is appropriate for Jesus to be working on the Sabbath.

Two distinct approaches to healing—(1) The government official desperate for the healing of his dying child, despite his unbelief, comes to Jesus and asks for healing. Instead of using his authority to drag Jesus home with him, he somehow trusts Jesus and goes on his way. The text records that while on his way home his servants come to report that his son was healed at a specific time. The man realized that time was when he had been talking to Jesus.

(2) The healing of the lame man in chapter five occurs at the Bethzatha spring at the Sheep Gate entry to Jerusalem. The natural movement of the spring was thought to be caused by the movement of the Spirit in the water. We are told the man has lain by the pool for thirty-eight years unable to be healed because no one will place him in the pool. Jesus tells him to get up because he is healed. The questions then begin because Jesus has violated religious law by working on the Sabbath.

While I am keenly aware of the fact that disease comes and afflicts us and those we love, I am no less aware of the sense that in the end our ultimate healing is to return to the One who created us. The element faith brings to the art of healing is easy to overlook in this day and age. After all, through surgery, diet, fitness, and pharmacology there is little we cannot change about ourselves. Not to demean those efforts or actions, the text simply pushes us to look at life and wonder.

No HMO or world renowned physician, no prescriptions to fill or remember to take; just the belief that healing can happen, that wholeness is possible, that pain might subside. This thought gives me a headache. Now what to take?

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 3 On Bearing Fruit John 15:1-8

May 10 Not A Suggestion John 15:9-17 May 17 Having Spiritual Sight

May 24 A Holy Nudge

May 31 Does God Tweet? Isaiah 6:1-8

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP

March 29th - Today was Palm Sunday and the entire congregation received fresh palm fronds. Patty and Norman Kelsey presented announcements for Holy Week and April. Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “On Not Meeting Expectations,” based on Mark 11:1-11.

April 2nd - Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service returned for the fourth 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, Muffett Brinkman, Morenike & Daniella Lake, Chuck Schafer, Julie Shuford, Patty Kelsey and Ken Ellis for making the story of Jesus’ final moments come to life. Roger Eshleman also played the Hammond Organ.

April 3rd - 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 5th - Happy Easter! 6:30 Sunrise Service was led by Norman Kelsey sharing a message titled, “Awesome From Easter On” based on Acts 10:34-43. We had a wonderful gathering this beautiful morning of worship. Libeck Kadu accompanied the congregation on piano and sang acapella. David Eshleman and Shaun Vieten also shared special music. Pastor Joey shared Communion. A continental breakfast was served on the patio following Sunrise Service. 10:30 main sanctuary: Children’s Moment was led by Patty Kelsey. The Mission Planning Committee shared our April Layette Kit project with the congregation. Jeff Thomas and Gary Solt shared their performance of “Change The World”. Pastor Joey’s sermon was based on John 20:1-18 and titled, “On Sunday.” A special plant was given in memory of Ted and Betty Kenessey.

April 12th - On the First Sunday of Easter we had Time with Children with Patty Kelsey who shared a moment about sharing like the church described in Acts 4:32-35. Pastor Joey shared a message on the same scripture in his sermon titled, “To Share Or Not.” Jodi Smith sang “The Holy City” for Just As We Are.

April 19th - Today we had special music by Norman Kelsey, singing, “We Can Work It Out” by the Beatles. Pastor Joey’s sermon, “Getting It Wrong (Is Okay.)” was based on Acts 3:12-19.

April 26th - Pastor Joey’s sermon was “What Love Looks Like” based on 1 John 3:16-24.

Ephesians 1:15-23

John 15:26-27;16:4b-15

What’s Happening in May?

Saturday, May 2nd - BIG SUNDAY EVENT with Tree People. 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Sun Valley. Sign up with Muffett Brinkman.

Sunday, May 10th - Missions Sunday! Please bring nonperishable proteins to donate to the Food Pantry! (Tuna, Peanut Butter, Chili)

Sunday, May 2nd - North District Conference at Northridge UMC. 8:30am - 12:00pm.

Sunday, May 10th - Mother’s Day. All ladies who attend church will receive a special gift.

Saturday, May 9th - Our Annual UMW Mother-Daughter Brunch takes place in Lo-Fe-Lo & the Social Hall. 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Entertainment by ARC Bell Ringers.

Saturday, May 2nd9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Lets make a difference!Park Tree Care

Sun Valley

We will be caring for trees that are needing TLC during the drought.

For more info contact:Muffett Brinkman

All Ages Welcome!

64th Annual National Day of Prayer - May 7th 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 10am - 6pm

Wednesday, May 13th- Ruth Circle meets at the home of Deanne Cox. 7:30 PM.

Monday, May 18th - Tabitha Circle Meets at 10:30 AM in the Hand in Hand Room.

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

Tuesday, May 12th- Methodist Men meeting at 7:30 PM. Lounge.

Friday, May 8th - All Church Movie Night! 6:45 PM Light Supper. 7:15 PM Movie. (See below.)

Saturday, May 2nd8:30 AM

Northridge UMC9650 Reseda Blvd.

Join our District Superintendent and all churches in our North

District today.

ALL CHURCH

Hosted by David Eshleman

Friday, May 8thMeet in the Lounge

6:45 PM - Dinner7:15 PM - Movie

Thursday, May 21st- PB & J Project meets in the Lounge at 7:00 PM. Come make 150 sandwiches for the homeless.

Friday, May 1st - The Wesley School Town Hall Meeting. Meets at 8:30am in the Social Hall.

Coming Soon in JulyMission U takes place the last weekend in July at

Biola University in La Mirada.Cost is $225 for room, board and materials.

See Kathi Ellis for details (818) 761-2438

Sunday, May 24th- VBS Meeting meets in Hand in Hand. Leaders will get their manuals today!

NORTH DISTRICT

The United Methodist Women Cordially Invite All the Ladies

to the annual

Mother’s Day BrunchSaturday, May 9th

10:30amin Lo-Fe-Lo & The Social Hall

Entertainment by: ARC Bell Ringers

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

Deadline to order tickets via Kathi Ellis is Sunday, May 10th!

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 11"

8:& PM

Tickets -$20

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

Wednesday, June 10 at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall

MISSION IN ACTION

150 Easter Baskets were made with love for Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission!

25 Layette Kits were made for UMCOR Disaster Relief!

A million thanks for

your prayers,

presence, gifts,

service and

witness towards

each and every

mission project!

Assembly Line - a favorite!

Whatʼs inside a layette kit?

Deanne & Lisa with completed Easter Baskets

Pattie holds a finished layette kit.

Education and PreventionCommunity health workers not only distribute bed nets, provide education on the importance of using the bed nets and proper care of bed nets, and educate families about the importance of using other malaria resistance strategies like draining standing water and trimming foliage. They also provide follow-up support months later to ensure families are receiving all of the life-saving benefits that bed nets provide and are using all of the strategies to prevent malaria.

Communication and TreatmentMonies raised are also used to build radio stations and to provide communities with hand-crank and solar-powered radios to receive life-saving information about eradicating malaria. Funding is given to support medical facilities, diagnostic tests and treatment for individuals who have become infected with malaria.

It takes just $10 to save a life and together, the conference has saved almost 100,000 lives, but there are many more lives to save. Won’t you join the effort to save 200,000 more lives?  Pastor Joey and Lay Leader Scott Shepard will take the money donated when they attend the Cal-Pac Annual Conference June 16 – June 20 at the University of Redlands.

MISSION FOCUS FOR SUMMER

It is a sad fact that every 60 seconds, a person dies of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Even sadder is the fact that malaria is 100% preventable. The United Methodist Church has raised $65 million of its $75 million goal to eradicate the disease. The California-Pacific Conference is raising $3 million to save 300,000+ lives. Last year our congregation was challenged to raise $1,000 and you exceeded that by donating a total of $1,210. This year you are challenged to exceed that amount. One hundred percent of the monies donated go towards carrying out a multi-pronged strategy to prevent malaria.

Our Goal: $1500

Twenty-five new mothers and their babies somewhere in the world will be receiving layette kits thanks to our generous congregation and UMCOR.  We received a number of the requested items and, even more important, we received donations totaling more than $800.  This money was used to purchase the required number of receiving blankets, cloth diapers, baby washcloths, onesies, sleepers, sweaters and diaper pins.  In these days of disposable diapers held together with Velcro, it is not easy to find diaper pins!

After church last Sunday morning in the Hand-in-Hand room Lisa Cheby, Mike Gillis, Patty Kelsey, Kim Miller, Todd Murata, Rhonda Scott, Rachel Mottaz, Jodi Smith and Wendy Welch were much appreciated efficient and speedy kit assemblers.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this project.  Please pray for the mothers and babies wherever they are who will benefit from these kits.

Judy Palmer has donated five books to the Church Library which will enable us to learn more about Red Bird Mission in southeastern Kentucky which the church supports with a donation of $500 per year.  Roberta Schaeffer is the author of “The Story of Red Bird Mission:  Its Beginnings and Growth” and “Bedside Manor:  One Doctor’s Family”.  The latter is about her husband Everett W. Schaeffer, MD, and his unique approached to practicing medicine as a family practice physician for 50 years.  Vera G. Stull wrote “Red Bird Called” about her experiences as a home missionary in the neglected areas of Bell County, KY from 1925 to 1937. Roscoe E. Plowman’s “Twice Out of Sight” is a humorous account of his experiences in the 1930’s among the people of Red Bird Valley. “Put Your Hand to the Plow” by Chester A. Cramer is a collection of anecdotes about happenings from his years of service at Red Bird Mission from 1964 to 1982.

Last month we neglected to include “Mohandas Gandhi Essential Writings” which was donated by Norman Kelsey. This book, begins with an introduction to Gandhi, by John Dear, followed by Dear’s short selections from Gandhi’s writings on subjects like the search for God, the pursuit of truth, the practice of nonviolence and several others.

During the month of May, these 6 books may be found on the piano in the Church Lounge/Library.

We would like to thank The Wesley School for installing a Little Free Library on our property.

You may be wondering what it is? It is a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where

neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up

a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. You can, too!

Little Free Library book exchanges can be found all over the world. Promoting literacy is cool!

Check www.littlefreelibrary.org to get more details about their Kickstarter campaign.

To volunteer, please call Steve Cabrillos at 818-760-3575 or email: steve@anthologychurch.comProvide the following information: your name (and names of additional volunteers), date(s) you are volunteering for, phone number and email address. Community service credit will be given to students.

The food the pantry receives from this event is critical to keep the shelves stocked through the lean summer months. Remember to leave your own bag of non-perishable items for your mail carrier on Saturday, May 9th. Or you can bring your donations to church on Sunday, May 10th (Missions Sunday) and we will deliver the bags of food for you. Thanks for all you do to help needy families in our community.

STAMP OUT HUNGERBy Lynn Yoshizumi

It’s time for the 23rd annual USPS Letter Carriers’ Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger!” Come by to unload and store food for the Food Pantry!

Saturday, May 9th from 3:00 - 7:00 PM The Mission City Postal Annex

10919 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills, CA. 91345

Sunday, May 10th from 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM Temple Beth Hillel

12326 Riverside Drive Valley Village, CA. 91607

Tuesday, May 12th from 6:00 - 8:00 PMTemple Beth Hillell

Help sort incoming food and organize storage.

In just the first 3 months of 2015, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission has provided over 45,000 hot nutritious meals and 16,000 nights of shelter to the homeless and placed over 45 individuals into programs or housing. Nearly 50% of the Rescue Mission’s annual budget comes from their Thrift Stores.  When you donate your used clothing and household items, your generosity is converted into hot meals, help and housing for the homeless. This spring please consider cleaning out your closets, spare room, garage, etc. and donate the items you no longer need to the Mission. When you do, you will receive a tax deductible receipt, keep unwanted items out of the landfill and help those most in need!

To schedule a donation pick-up, call 818-382-0020 and press 0.  If you prefer, you can drop off your donations at one of Hope of the Valley's 3 Thrift Store sites: 8165 San Fernando Rd, Sun Valley; 18167 Chatsworth St, Grananda Hills; 19379 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita.

San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission also operate 3 Thrift Stores and would very much appreciate your donation of items to sell there. To schedule pick-up call 800-417-5678 and ask for in-kind donations dept. Stores are located at: 13422 Saticoy Street, North Hollywood; 9007 Lankershim, Sun Valley; 18344 Sherman Way, Reseda.

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

May 1 Ken Ellis May 3 Dorothy TylerMay 4 Jim DoggettMay 4 Ruth GlassMay 4 Kim MillerMay 6 Noah FettermanMay 6 Jackie TaftMay 10 Shirley KurushimaMay 11 Dottie VickMay 14 Shaun VietenMay 15 Larry Pines

May 16 Jodi 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

Tom McDonald, Pastor Joey’s Brother, has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

Don Harold, David Eshleman’s Uncle, is in hospice care.

Ed Zung needs continued prayers of healing.

Richard Roche underwent surgery on Tuesday, March 24, for a reoccurring cancer on his neck.

Anne Roche’s Brother, Rick Davis, who was diagnosed with a brain cancer and is recuperating following brain surgery and radiation treatment. He has not had a headache or dizziness in a

week. His appetite is slowly improving. He needs to overcome his short-term memory loss and will soon be taking medication for the pancreas growth. He will also begin chemotherapy soon.

Gladys Woodard is still recuperating after falling and breaking her pelvis.

James WilkinsonEntered the church triumphant on

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Memorial to be held Sunday, May 31stfollowing coffee fellowship in Boyer Chapel.

Reflections' Joey K. (Donald

Reflections are part of the weekly bulletin inserts for worship. This writing is originally from April 26, 2009 and Deanne Cox shared a message titled, “It Wasn’t A Ghost Story” based on Luke 24:36-48

Luke 24:36b-48 is a post resurrection passage where Jesus comes to his followers and they struggle with believing who he is.  This is not the only challenge in belief for the early Church.  In John 20:19-31 the story of the disciples gathered when Jesus appears to them.  Thomas is not present and will not believe until he can touch Jesus’ wounds.  So Jesus appears later that Thomas may believe.  The Bible is replete with such stories.  An angel of God tells Abraham and Sarah that in old age they will become parents, and they laugh in the face of Holiness itself.  Noah doubts that God really wants him to build an Ark.  King David doubts the real power of God and experiences a fall from grace. Peter swears loyalty to Jesus only to deny him.  Paul insists on his righteous condemnation of those who follow Jesus only to find his surety could not have been more false.  Doubt comes because it can and because sometimes it must.

In a Homiletics Magazine article from March 2009 the agnosticism of the late astronomer Carl Sagan is written.   Jerry Adler of Newsweek in March of 1997, states that Sagan was fascinated by the phenomenon that educated adults, with the wonders of science manifest all around them, could cling to beliefs based on the unverifiable testimony of observers dead for 2,000 years.  He once said to cleric Joan Brown, “You are so smart; why do you believe in God?’  “Of course, Dr. Sagan meant why would you or how could you?  Rev. Brown replied “she found this a surprising question from someone who had no trouble accepting the existence of black holes, which no one has ever observed. You’re so smart why don’t you believe in God” Adler goes on to say that Sagan never had doubts about his agnosticism.  His wife Ann Druyan, told him that “There was no deathbed conversion...no appeals to God, no hope for an afterlife, no pretending that he and I, who had been inseparable for twenty years, were not saying goodbye forever.” Didn’t he want to believe? She was asked.   “Carl never wanted to believe,” she replied fiercely.  “He wanted to know.”

Therein lies the difficulty.  Far too often we need to know rather than simply believe.  Be it Dr. Sagan, or the bank manager, you, me or the postal worker, we forget that God’s existence does not require our approval.  The world we live in, with its flora and fauna, even the bubble gum we can experience, and the ‘Black Holes’ we cannot are proof that God believes in us.  Our need to know is not a validation of faith, our willingness to believe is.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

May 3 Fifth Sunday of Easter. White or Gold. Acts 8:26-40; Ps. 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8 May 10 Sixth Sunday of Easter. Festival of the Christian Home. Mother’s Day. White or Gold. Acts 10:44-48; Ps. 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17

May 17 Seventh Sunday of Easter. Acension Sunday. White or Gold. Acts 1:15-17; Ps. 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19; Ephesians 1:15-23 May 24 Pentecost. Memorial Sunday. Red. Acts 2:1-21 or Ezek. 37:1-14; Ps. 104:24-34, 35b; Rom. 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27;16:4b-15

May 31 Trinity Sunday (First Sunday After Pentecost). White. Isa. 6:1-8; Ps. 29; Rom. 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

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/NurseryThere will not be a Moment with Children this month during 10:30 Worship

Communion will be served on May 3rd at 8:15 & 10:30 Service

8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel May 3 - Pastor Joey May 10 - Sandra Smith May 17 - Pastor Joey May 26 - Sandra Smith May 31 - Sandra Smith

Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by May 17th for the June 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