First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood

GOOD NEWSe-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net

DECEMBER 2013facebook.com/nohofumc www.nohofumc.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

• UMCOR Philippines

• Heifer Living Market

• Christmas Eve Worship

• Poinsettia Orders

• Organ Concert & Carols

A NOTE FROM PASTOR JOEY

According to the dictionary Advent is, “The period including the four Sundays before Christmas.”  In historical terms, within the Christian tradition, this has been known as a time of anticipation and preparation.   Anticipation of the coming of the Christ child and preparation for his arrival.  In the meantime, however, there are things to do, places to go and people to see.

Since there are only 24 shopping days left until Christmas, we observe Advent in several ways: we prepare to shop at convenient times, plan to spend wisely and prepare for the parties we will attend and/or host.  What we encounter is shopping malls where parking becomes a religious awakening (yelling at those who steal your space is a meditative chant now isn’t it?) and shopping affords us the opportunity to be closer to more people in three hours than we might care to be close to in the next five years.  Into this fine process, we add our keen sense of anticipation.   For we can anticipate:   long lines, sold out items, high prices, surly sales-persons, crowded freeways, throbbing head, aching feet, and inadequate time to clean our houses for those parties.

However, somewhere in this process (usually by December 23rd) something strange happen to us...Advent becomes genuine.  Standing on the real imitation marble floor of some department store next to a pine Santa and a plastic tree, we hear it.  The music we’ve ignored since the day after Thanksgiving resonates within us.

We don’t even feel self conscious as the words form on our lips.  “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come...”  The hymn may be another, “Away in a Manger.”  Or perhaps, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” but the net result is always the same.  Our hearts and minds are stilled for a moment and then stirred to the true meaning of Advent.  For in that moment, as the hymn so clearly states, “The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.”  Have a blessed Advent!

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 December.

Please take time each week to read the selected passages.

December 1 Greenwich Kind Time Romans 13:11-14

December 8 Why We Have Hope Romans 15:4-13

December 15 On Becoming The Real Deal

December 22 Signs And Wonders Isaiah 7:10-16

December 24 7:00 PM Making Room For Christmas Luke 2:1-20 9:30 PM Between Giving And Receiving Luke 2:1-20

December 29 A Spiritual Road Trip

HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP AND OUR PARISH

November 3rd - Today was All Saint’s Day. We remember the Saints of our church that we lost this year; Hazel McIntosh and Ted Kenessey. Norman Kelsey and Phillip Mottaz shared the monthly announced with the congregation in a Thanksgiving Celebration Theme! Pastor Joey & Sue were vacationing and Patty Kelsey sat in the Pulpit with Rachel Mottaz in the Lectern. Patty’s message, “Screening God’s Call?” was based on Romans 12:1-8. November 10th - We celebrated Community Day! Our Church, The Wesley School, Evergreen Music Conservatory, and Boy Scout Troop 18 joined in a special worship service. Everyone was asked to donate hygiene items that will benefit the chronic homeless in the Valley. The Acosta Family graced us a gorgeous performance. Francis Nyaforh & Shaun Vieten shared their talents by performing. Ken Ellis, Jeff Thomas and Norman Kelsey shared their homily’s on “Community.” Worship was followed with a lovely reception in the Social Hall catered by Chris Drapkin & her company Harvest Moon. Everyone enjoyed treats and shopping at the UMW Holiday Boutique tables. What a blessing to be a part of such a special community! The North District Area Charge Conference took place at 3pm this afternoon at Tarzana UMC. Our church was represented by Scott Shepard, Jessie Renslow and The Kelseys.

November 17th - A children’s moment was shared with the kids about showing gratitude to God. Norman Kelsey shared a Stewardship Moment. Pastor Joey’s sermon was titled, “When The Earth Shakes Live Fully,” based on Luke 21:5-19. We shared in communion and The Great Thanksgiving this morning. Following worship today the congregation was invited to assemble Care Kits For The Homeless during coffee fellowship. The United Methodist Men hosted a Talent Show and light lunch in the Social Hall featuring Larry Pines, Lidya Yirgu, Isabella Day, Michelle Vo, Roger Eshleman, David Eshleman, Francis Nyaforh and Shaun Vieten.

November 24th - We had a number of Mission Moments today: Rachel Mottaz shared information on the Heifer Project, Living Market. Wendy Welch spoke on behalf of the Missions Team and Operation Gratitude’s letter writing campaign. Wendy also joined Doug Eboch to share about “A Day Without Art.” Santa Claus also made an appearance on behalf of the tree lot! Pastor Joey shared his powerful message on “The Business Of Being Blessed,” based on Luke 1:68-79.

Matthew 11:2-11

Matthew 2:13-23

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

7:00 PMFeatures special music and

a children’s message

9:30 PMFeatures special music, the Chancel Choir

and Communion is served

Each service concludes with a candle lighting ceremony

Featuring Roger EshlemanSaturday, December 14, 2013

7:00 PMIn the Main Sanctuary

Sing-a-long to cherished Christmas songs, fellowship with our community and enjoy

Give a poinsettia plant in honor or memory of a loved one. These plants are fashioned into a Christmas tree which adorns the

chancel of our church. The flowers may be taken home following the 9:30 PM Christmas Eve Service.

Thank you for your $10.00 donation. Please complete the section below and return the form to the office with your check.

Please indicate “for poinsettia” on the offering envelope. Thank you.

Your Name________________________________ Phone ______________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________

Circle one: (IN MEMORY OF) or (IN HONOR OF) Number of plants ordered _______

Name _________________________________________ Amount Enclosed $ ____________

Name _________________________________________ Please place orders by December 15th

What’s Happening in December?

Sunday, December 8th - Holiday Festivities in the Lounge! Join us following worship for Christmas Cheer! Shop for gifts at the UMW Holiday Boutique and maybe Santa will make an appearance!

Tuesday, December 24th - Join us for CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 7:00 PM - Family Service with special music & a children’s message.

9:30 PM - Includes Chancel Choir & Communion. Join us in the Main Sanctuary.

Both worship services include a candle lighting ceremony.

Sunday, December 8th - UMM host a chili cook-off in front of the Lounge.

Sunday, December 22nd - Walk to the Manger at the end of worship. Please bring your Christmas Offering with you to church. After the benediction we will ask everyone to walk down the center aisle and place your offering in the manger.

MISSIONS SUNDAY

December 8th

Please bring non-perishable food items, especially peanut butter

and tuna.We are also collecting brown

paper grocery bags for the pantry. Leave all donations on the table

next to Boyer Chapel.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wednesday, December 11th - UMW Holiday Luncheon. $3 Donation. Lunch in Lo-Fe-Lo & Holiday Program.

Saturday, December 14th- Organ Concert & Christmas Carol sing-a-long, featuring Roger Eshleman. 7 PM in the Main Sanctuary. Treats following. All are welcome. Invite your neighbors!

December 1st - December 22nd Our 15th Annual Christmas Tree Lot is open for business!

Weekdays: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturdays: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sundays: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PMWe need tree handlers, greeters, cashiers, & dinner providers.

Sign up with Tara Varilek or online. (Check your weekly email update for link)

Saturday, December 7th - Come serve dinner to the situational homeless at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission 13422 Saticoy St., NoHo. Meet at 5:45 PM. Sunday, December 8th - Mission Sunday! Bring cans of chili and tuna for the food pantry and a few extra dollars for the blue mission envelopes.

Saturday, December 7th

Meet at 5:45 PM

San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission

13422 Saticoy Street, NoHo

Saturday, December 7th - Operation Gratitude One Millionth Package Event! Join your Missions Team at the Van Nuys Armory 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM!

Sunday,December 8th

12:00 PM Lounge

Sign up with David Eshleman

READING PROGRAM READERS

UMW Readers: Please submit your completed Report Forms to me by the UMW General Meeting on Wednesday, Dec 11. It is suggested that you report only 5 books (1 in each category) for Level I, 10 books (2 in each category) for Level II, 15 books (2 in each category plus 5 others) for Level III, or 20 books (2 in each category plus 10 others). If, for example, you report 8 books, 3 of them are “wasted” so far as the report is concerned. Save them for next year.

You also need to check off that you have read something from the various issues of “response” and “New World Outlook”. There were 11 issues of “response” - Jul & Aug were combined; there were 6 issues of “New World Outlook”. Although our subscription to “New World Outlook” continues until Sept 2014, I have not received the Sep/Oct or Nov/Dec issues. Count articles from 2012 for those 2 issues. You will find articles from the Oct and Nov issues of “response” in the articles box; Dec articles will be there by Dec 8th.

I know you have all been reading very diligently and I am optimistic that we will retain the District banner that we earned last year. New books will be presented at the January UMW meeting.

CHRISTMAS IN THE LIBRARY

Last year Pastor Joey led a discussion group based on Mike Slaughter’s “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday.” Every year we say we’re going to cut back, simplify and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season – Jesus. In 5 short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently and be transformed in the process.

Slaughter also wrote “A Different Kind of Christmas,” a book of devotional readings designed to draw your entire family into closer fellowship with God as you respond to this Christmas season and the call of God to live generously all year around. It includes thirty short readings, Scripture, prayer, and stories about helping others at Christmas.

Willa Koenigsaecker donated several children’s Christmas books that were in the collection of her mother, Pat Schoonmaker, including 3 different versions of Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas,” each one illustrated by a different artist. Also from Pat Schoonmaker’s collection are “My Christmas Treasury,” a collection of Christmas stories, poems and songs, “The Story of Santa Claus” by Barbara Shook Hazen, “Two-Minute Christmas Stories: Favorite Bedtime Stories for the Holidays,” 7 stories written by several writers and illustrated by several artists, and “Christmas Trolls” written and illustrated by Jan Brett.

Among the many books Sandra Smith donated from the collection of her parents, Rex and Nez Smith, are 5 Christmas books. “The Miracle of Christmas” is a little book of beautiful words by Billy Graham. “My Very Own Christmas Prayer Book” contains 26 prayers, one for each letter of the alphabet. “The Real Night before Christmas” is about the first night before Christmas in Bethlehem. In “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Cathie Shuttleworth illustrates the famous poem/song. The beautifully illustrated book “Christmas: An American Annual of Christmas Literature and Art,” printed in 1963, features Matthew’s Christmas gospel, Christmas articles and stories, poetry, music and art.

These books, as well as Christmas books that were already in our collection, will be placed around the Lounge during the month of December. If you take a book home, please remove the card from the pocket in the front of the book, sign it and leave the card by the computer. When you return the book, please leave it beside the computer. We hope you will make one or more of these books a part of your Christmas.

CARE KITS FOR THE HOMELESSBy Lynn Yoshizumi

When the assembly of nearly 150 Care Kits for the Homeless was completed, I had such a good feeling because it showed our congregation at its best, working together -  love in action. So many people pitched in to help in so many different ways. Thank you to: •Everyone who contributed to the huge number of items that were donated, with a special thanks to

Kim Deason, who brings home toiletry items from her travels around the world and assembles them into very complete, pre packaged toiletries sets.

•Patty & Norman Kelsey, Rhonda Scott, Tara Varilek, Deanne Cox, Lynn Yoshizumi, Lisa Cheby, and Chuck. Who sorted the many items on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s assembly.

•Patty Kelsey & Rhonda Scott who came early on Sunday morning to set up the assembly line.•Myriel Tyree who brought scissors with her Sunday morning just because she thought they might

be needed - and they were - to open packages of tissues, toothbrushes, razor and cheese crackers•Everyone who participated in the assembly of care kits.•Those who helped clean up and put away all of the surplus items.•Those who took Kits to distribute to the homeless.

The Mission Team is extremely grateful for your wonderful participation and cooperation with our various projects throughout the year such as Easter baskets for children at the rescue missions; Discovery Arts Bedside Kits for hospitalized children; towels, blankets and supplies for no-kill animal rescues; monthly canned food donations for the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry; and Care Kits for the Homeless twice this year. December we’ll see us reach our goal of $1,500 for Heifer and everyone helping with the Christmas Tree Lot in the usual FUMC/NH way!

During the breakout sessions at the International Justice Mission program in October, the participants came to the realization that a focus group should be formed to determine which area(s) of IJM work we want to concentrate on. IJM works for justice in the areas of sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking, police corruption, illegal imprisonment, predatory land seizures, citizenship rights and forced labor.

If you are interested in participating in this focus group which will be entirely separate from the Mission Team, please call or e-mail the church office. Please leave your name, phone number and e-mail address. In January it is hoped that this group can meet and formulate a plan of action.

COMMUNITY DAY REDUXBy Norman Kelsey

Card Donating Tips:

Here’s the Tennessee Ernie Ford LP cover that I shared on Community Day. Recognize that marvelous background? If only these bricks could talk, what stories they would tell about us. Our legacy is made up of the tales we share; whether they are anecdotes about the household names or the unsung heroes who have attended North Hollywood. I encourage our long-time members to share these stories with newer members to keep our church’s rich history alive and vibrant. I also hope you newer members, who bring your own stories, will take the opportunity to deepen your connection with this wonderful community! Along with Coffee Fellowship, the Tree Lot is a great place to swap stories! See you there.

Sunday, December 15thDuring 10:30 AM Worship

Sign your child up with our Children’s Choir Director, Lynne Hutton

*Lynne needs help with costumes!

Children’s

THE CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A HEART

It’s that time of year again. It is Tree Lot time.

Did you know our Tree Lot has very special trees that no other lot in the area has?

See there’s a tree that will provide a homeless person with a care kit or homeless family with a hot meal. Another that will provide a sick hospitalize kid with a fun day of art.

And still another that will save a young girl from the evils of slavery.

See our Trees are the Christmas Tree with the Heart, and is how the Mission Team supports great organizations like Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, Discovery Arts, International Justice Missions, and many other great organizations.

Unfortunately the trees can’t sell and load themselves onto cars. That is where we desperately need you. Please visit www.nohofumc.com to sign up for a Tree Lot shift because without you there is no Heart.

Recently during coffee fellowship Lynn Yoshizumi greeted a mother and daughter, Shirley and Rebecca Siegford, who said they were visiting from Arlington, VA. When they said they attended a Methodist Church in Arlington, VA, Lynn asked, “Do you know my brother Walter Baumann and his wife Andrea?”. Rebecca replied “Oh, yes, Walt and Andrea, we were in the same Six for Supper group.”. Not only do they attend the same church, they are neighbors - you drive right past the Siegfred’s house to get in and out of Walt’s cul-de-sac.

By Rachel Mottaz & The Sunday School Class

In the past the Mission Team and I have challenged the congregation with an amount to raise or a certain amount of animals to send to Heifer International during the season of Advent.  This year, the Children’s Sunday School and I will be running a Living Gift Market after service every Sunday in December until Christmas.  A Living Gift Market is an alternative gift giving event.  I was inspired by it because, as we are already knee deep in the holiday season, I’ve been checking my list of gifts to buy for over a month now.  If you are like me, you have a list of people for whom you buy holiday gifts for… and if you are still like me, you have those people on your list who need or want absolutely nothing…like my Dad or my Grandma…  They are impossible to shop for.  But then I get caught up in the shopping or buying and lose sight of what the season is really about…being generous and thinking about and loving other people.

So what can we do for the people who want for and need nothing?  We can donate money to a worthy cause in their honor. The Heifer International Living Gift Market is an event that sells income-producing animals like goats, bees, chicks and heifers.  The animals go to resource poor families working to improve their lives.  You donate money that will purchase an animal.  You can honor a friend or loved one with a beautiful card that describes the gift you bought in their honor.  You empower an impoverished family with an animal and training in its care.  The family shares its knowledge and the animal’s first offspring with another family.  And the next.  Heifer calls it Passing on the Gift. 

In your bulletin every Sunday, you will find a Shopping List that you can use to plan.  On the back of that is a list of animals that the Living Gift Market offers.

We will also have ornaments made by our Sunday School that you can purchase for a dollar a piece.  The children have a goal of selling 100 ornaments so that they can send two shares of a heifer in honor of their Sunday School teachers Letha, Willa and Jackie. 

And if you just want to donate money, any amount will help, just write Heifer on your offering envelopes during the month of December.

So that brings me to my goal…  I think we can collect $1500 again this year.  Please join me. 

Thank you and Happy New Year!

ANIMALS OFFERED:Heifer - $500 or Share - $50 / Pig - $120 or Share - $10 / Llama - $150 or Share - $20Water Buffalo - $250 or Share $25 / Tree Seedlings - $60 or Share - $10 / Trio of Rabbits - $60 or Share - $10Goat - $120 or Share - $10 / Sheep - $120 or Share - $10 / Starter Flock of Chicks or Ducks or Geese - $20Honeybees - $30

Wishing you a birthday that is merry and bright!Love, Your Church Family

December 5 Anita McChesneyDecember 6 Helen WirthhDecember 7 Ralph SeyboldDecember 10 Doug EbochDecember 11 Myriel TyreeDecember 17 Charlie CoxDecember 17 Cary Noren

December 18 Jeff ThomasDecember 19 Pastor JoeyDecember 20 Clive MelvilleDecember 21 James St. JohnDecember 25 JesusDecember 31 Henri DobleDecember 31 Nancy Kien

The following are detailed instructions for supporting UMCOR's relief and recovery work in the Philippines through donations to International Disaster Response, Advance #982450:

Make checks payable to: California-Pacific Annual Conference

Make a notation that the check is for Philippines Disaster Response (Advance #982450)

Send checks in care of: Archana Carey, our Cal-Pac Conference Treasurer,

to PO Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102-6006.

All of your gift, 100%, will be used to help those in need in the Philippines.  Following these instructions will ensure proper recording of giving for a particular local church in the accounting system.Thanks be to God for the donations already received by the Conference Office that bear witness to the spiritual vitality and living faith of our California-Pacific Annual Conference.

‧Laura Lesko, cancer survivor, has been tested for malignancies in her lungs.‧Nancy Gatchell is back at The Lighthouse on Magnolia Blvd. ‧Amy, friend of Lisa Cheby is battling a debilitating depression. ‧Marilyn Fabre is still recuperating after breaking her femur and hip.‧Patty Kelsey’s Mom is still in need of prayers of calm and peace.‧Sue McDonald’s younger brother passed away in November. Please lift up her family.‧Prayers for the Philippines

Call the church office (818) 763-8231 or email your request to nohofumc@pacbell.net

Reflections! Joey K. "Donald

The third verse of the hymn, God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale is “God of the rainbow, God of the Cross, God of the empty grave.  How does the creature say grace, how does the creature say thanks?”

In this season of Thanksgiving, we say grace by how we live.  Anyone over ten years old knows the truth of the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.”  So, if we talk about wishing everyone “Happy Thanksgiving!” and we appear ungrateful, the words are hollow.  Our works and actions are incongruous.  We are not walking our talk.

An attitude of gratitude can create a grace filled existence.  Just think, if we allow our thoughts to be filled with all that is negative or wrong with life in general, or our lives in particular, we will soon be pressed flat, emotionally and spiritually.  However, if we pause to consider what we can give thanks for, then our lives mirror the grace present in our lives.

Though each of us have life events which disappoint and confound us, if we look closely at life through the eyes of faith we can see the rainbows God has given us.  We can be moved to say thanks to our Creator through the graceful way we live and act toward others.

This writing was Dr. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Letter to the congregation. It is originally from November 24, 1997.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

December 1 First Sunday of Advent. World Aids Day. Purple or Blue. Isa 2:1-5; Ps. 122 or (UMH 845); Rom. 13:11-14; Mark 24:36-44 December 8 Second Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue. Isa. 11:1-10; Ps. 72:1-7, 18-19 or (UMH 795); Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12

December 15 Third Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue. Isa. 35:1-10; Luke 1:47-55 or (UMH 199); Jas. 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11

December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue. Isa. 7:10-16; Ps. 80 or (UMH 801); Rom. 1:1-7; Matt. 1:18-25

December 24 Christmas Eve. White or Gold. Isa. 9:2-7; Ps. 96 or (UMH 815); Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

December 29 First Sunday After Christmas. White. Isa. 63:7-9; Ps. 148 or (UMH 861); Heb. 2:10-18; Matt. 2:13-23

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 service

Communion will be celebrated on December 1st at 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM worship services, and at the 9:30 PM worship service, Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve.

8:15 AM Worship Services in Boyer Chapel December 1 - Pastor Joey December 8 - Norman Kelsey December 23rd - Sandra Smith December 30th - Sandra Smith

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

December 15 - Patty Kelsey