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1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
2020
facebook.com/nohofumc1www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Give A Sheet
• Caitlin’s Chorus
• New Sermon Series
• Ernie Robles Levroney
• Food Pantry Wish List
GOOD NEWS is published monthly by
First United Methodist Church of North
Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya
Bishop
Rev. James Powell
District Superintendent
Rev. Steve Peralta
Senior Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Jeff Thomas
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Digital & Social Media
Back in May, we believed that August’s theme would be “Back to
Normal.” This was the month when the corona virus would be
diminished; when students would be coming back to classes; when
restaurants, cinemas, sports, and amusement parks would be open
again; and when we would be worshipping together again. Obviously,
for the most part, these things haven’t happened, and we are still
wearing masks, physically distancing, and watching the numbers of
confirmed cases and deaths continue to climb.
Life is not back to normal...except for the difficult things we feel and
experience. We still worry about our income and finances and bills.
We still experience anxiety over the health of our loved ones and
ourselves. We still experience frustration and anger over systemic
racism, sexism, and homophobia in our society. We still experience
sorrow and grief as friends and loved-ones pass away prematurely or
unexpectedly.
In the middle of a pandemic we did not choose, we might begin to
wonder where God is. We might wonder why God isn’t hearing our
prayers and our cries. We aren’t the first people to wonder these
things. The psalmist who writes the words, “My God, My God, why have
you forsaken me?” Why are you so far from helping me, from the words
of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1); is also the one who writes, “I cry out to
you because you answer me...you are the one who saves those who
take refuge in you...” (Psalm 17:6-7).
This month, we will be spending some time with Joseph, Moses, and
the Hebrew people as they struggle to understand how God is present
and how God works in their hardship and in their captivity. We will
discover how those who keep the faith get to look back and see how
God was present and how God worked. We may not see or
understand in the moment, but as the old cliché says, “hindsight is
twenty/twenty.”
Keep the faith. Stay safe. Be well. God is at work...and we shall see
what God has done when we get to the other side.
In Christ,
Pastor Steve

2. August 2 Wrestling with God Genesis 32:22-31
We conclude the saga of Jacob and Esau with Jacob wrestling with God before the day he must face his brother
again. How do we wrestle with God? What things do we wrestle God for control of?
August 9 When it All Goes Wrong
Sometimes life doesn’t treat you fairly: it is filled with pitfalls, unplanned diversions, and misfortune. We will follow
the story of Joseph as we ask questions about where God is when life falls apart (hint: God is closer than you think!)
August 16 What We See When We Look Back Genesis 45:1-15
People say that hindsight is 20/20…and this saying rings extra true when it comes to the life of faith. Just like
Joseph, we often cannot comprehend how God is at work in our lives until we look back.
August 23 When Things Change Exodus 1:8-2:10
Sometimes we take stock of our lives and everything is good: we feel great, our faith is strong, and we feel content.
These moments are often snapshots: situations change and we are handed new variables. For the Israelites, when a
Pharaoh arises who does not remember Joseph, life changes and once again the cries go out, “Where are you
God?”
August 30 Who Sends You? Exodus 5:1-15
God doesn’t call the prepared: God prepares the called. Moses is surprised by God, and despite his excuses, God
sends him to confront Pharaoh and lead the Hebrews out of captivity. What excuses do you offer to avoid God’s
call?
HIGHLIGHTS OF VIRTUAL WORSHIP
Tune in every Sunday for a brand new worship service!
We share on YouTube @nohofumc and on Facebook @nohofumc1.
Piano & Vocals - Jeff Thomas Keyboard & Vocals - Holly Gibson (July 12th & 26th)
Organ - Roger Eshleman Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Mary Dennis
Voice Over - Norman Kelsey
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
July 5 - Love Thy Neighbor
July 12 - Better Together
July 19 - Hide & Seek
July 26 - Hidden Treasure
Scripture Reader
July 5 - Daniella Lake
July 12 - Rachel Mottaz
July 19 - Rebecca Forgione
July 26 - Sherri Perry
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Pastor Steve’s Sermon Series: Wrestling with God
Sermon Titles and Scripture
July 5 - Talkin’ bout my Generation | Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
July 12 - A Tale of Two Brothers | Genesis 25:19-34
July 19 - Thin Spaces | Genesis 28:10-19a
July 26 - New Treasures from Old Things| Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Special Music
July 5 - Cole Gerdes on guitar | Goodness of God
July 12 - Holly Gibson on guitar | They’ll Know We Are Christians
July 19 - Norman Kelsey on guitar | Yes and Amen
July 26 - Libeck Kadu-Vieten on keyboards | Everlasting God
Sermon Series - Breaking Free: A Journey from Captivity to Freedom
The Hebrew Scriptures contain a series of stories which present God as a
deliverer. Whenever God’s people find themselves oppressed and in captivity,
even when it looks like everything is hopeless, God acts and leads them to
freedom. Today, we experience captivity in different ways, but God still works for
our freedom. Whatever chains bind you...whatever system oppresses you, God
desires your freedom.
BREAKING FREE

3. Give A Sheet for the Homeless
On Monday August 10th, Hope of the Valley will open the 100-bed A Bridge Home Shelter in Van
Nuys. (To learn more and sign up for a tour, go to www.hopeofthevalley.org/vannuys/)
At this moment, one of our big needs is bedding for the 100-beds! I am asking all friends of the
Mission to do one of the following:
- Go to Wal-mart or Target, purchase a Bed-in-a-Bag Size Twin XL and Drop it off at our Pacoima
site. (11076 Norris Street).
- Order online at Amazon or elsewhere and have it shipped to Hope of the Valley, 11076 Norris
Street, Pacoima, CA 91331
- Make a donation of $50.00 per bed set at www.hopeofthevalley.org and in the instruction box type
BEDDING and Hope of the Valley will purchase the bedding.
In advance, thank you for helping us get more people off the streets and into housing! We cannot do
it without your support! Sheets not Streets!
If you are looking for ways to help during this time of crisis, please consider the
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry.
Barbara Javitz, Director of the Pantry, has updated their
Amazon Wish List and we invite you to please look up the Pantry on Amazon.
Thank you in advance for your support and doing the work of Jesus.

4. I have lost track of what week we are on, we started doing our “NoHoFUMC Show,” right when the lock
down started. Everyone on our team sprang into action to get a complete service to you online that very
first Sunday and over the past months we have been implementing many exciting things into our services.
We are very proud of what we have been able to bring to you, our congregation on a weekly basis.
Having gone to school for and worked in Broadcast Production for years before working at NoHoFUMC,
I never thought I would be basically editing an hour long show each week at church! Being able to use my
skills in this way has been beyond rewarding.
Pastor Steve made the seamless transition to being an on-camera Pastor and Patty has really taken
Children’s time to a whole new level. Utilizing the green screen and coming up with entertaining,
educational topics each week for the kids. Roger, Jeff, Pastor Mary, Holly, Ken, Muffett and Norman have
contributed in wonderful ways as well and I appreciate it so much. Those of you who have joined in
reading scripture or doing the special music too have been amazing and the contributions to the children’s
time and special montages are very much appreciated too.
As time goes on I hope more of you will contribute and I wanted to take a moment to give a little how-to
for recording for the online service. It’s simple and so appreciated.
1. Recording on your phone placed at eye level in the horizontal or landscape position helps to fill in
the space well. If you have your phone vertical like for photos it will cut off the sides and we will
end up with black bars on each side so horizontal is best.
2. Leave a little bumper on each end of your recording so I have space to edit. So, just pause and take
a breath before you speak and pause looking into the camera when you finish before you reach for
the off button
3. Have the camera close enough so we can see you but without cutting off the top of your head.
Think headroom, but not too much head room
4. Lastly, try to record in a quiet place. Turn off the AC or Fan before you record and close windows
and wait for trucks to drive by or planes to fly over before you begin.
We wish we could be there in the sanctuary with you all and that time will come but for now please watch
and share our online service because we are doing it all for you.
From the Digital & Social Media Desk
Tonya Peat

5. Facility Maintenance Updates
From Pastor Steve
If you drive by the church this month, you may notice
some extra activity occurring on campus!
Contracts have been signed and work begins on our
door replacement project which will improve our
facility security, safety, beauty, and ADA compliance.
We will also be fixing the flat roof on the Community
Room building and removing the A/C ducting which
is no longer being used on that section of building.
These repairs fix some of our most serious leaks and
make sure that the mold abatement work we did in
the community room does not need to be redone.
The South parking lot will also be re-sealed and re-
striped on August 14th as recommended by our
paving contractor.
We thank the board for their hard work!
These projects will cost us about $130,000.These
funds will be drawn for our Unrestricted Cash
Reserves with some funds being replenished by the
Wesley School.
Online Worship Makes Evangelism
Less Intimidating for Many
By Doug Powe & Ann A. Michel
UMN Daily Digest
One apparent advantage of an online worship
format is that people seem to be more inclined
to extend and respond to invitations to check
out church online. Virtual evangelism is proving
easier, less intimidating, and more spontaneous
than face-to-face evangelism.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that worship
attendance has increased rather significantly for
many congregations that are now worshipping
online in comparison to their previous in-person
attendance. Many factors are likely contributing
to this rise. But one may be the ease and
comfort of “virtual evangelism.”
Here are some ideas for encouraging virtual
evangelism in your congregation:
Post Sermons on Social Media
For many people, simply posting or sharing
something isn’t nearly as scary as starting a
conversation about God or the church.
Invite Friends to Worship Online
Intentionally crafting an invitation on various social
media platforms asking others to participate in a live
stream or Sunday experience is a step up from just
posting on social media.
Share What the Congregation is Doing
Many congregations are learning that ministry is
still possible even amid the restrictions of the
pandemic. Sharing what your congregation is doing
to transform lives and how others can safely
participate can be another connection point.
Host a Watch Party
Invite someone to view a livestream with you! This
may be a second step to take when you have learned
that someone accepted your general invitation to
participate online.
It may be that the apparent enthusiasm for
sharing online church will subside once the
novelty wears off or the crisis subsides. But we
hope it doesn’t! This easy, low barrier way of
sharing has more success in a week than a year’s
worth of “Bring-a-Friend Sundays!”

6. Ernest Robles Levroney
October 6, 1975 - July 20, 2020
Ernie was hired as the new Head of School for
Wesley at the end of July in 2019. His first school
year ended abruptly with Covid 19 and “Safer at
Home” mandates. He spent his last months working
so hard for the school.
Through it all, Ernie showed nothing but grace and
love to every person in our community. He jumped
in and became personally invested in all of our
NOHO FUMC events. Making homemade
macarons for our first Fall Outdoor Market and
decorating his trunk and dressing up as the green
lantern for our Trunk or Treat.
Ernie was filled with so much positive energy and
passion. He was quick to laugh and gave wonderful
hugs. Ernie had the ability to make everyone feel
seen and cared for. We will surely miss Ernie and
continue to lift up his family and his husband,
Fernando during this time of grieving.
Caitlin Ann Thomas was taken from us on July 6, 2020. Caitlin was the eldest daughter of our
Choir Director, Jeff Thomas. Anyone who knew Caitlin, knows she was happiest when she was
making music or working on a show. They also know how wonderful she was working with
children on countless productions. Caitlin's Chorus, through The Gift of Song, will provide
training and performance opportunities to youth who otherwise couldn't participate, as a way to
honor the memory of this vibrant young woman who we will miss dearly. Scholarship recipients
will be referred by local theatre and school personnel, and some local arts instructors will offer
reduced or free instruction to those in need.
If you would like to donate to Caitlin’s Chorus, you may do so by sending your donations to the
church office. Please designate “CAITLIN’S CHORUS,” on your check.

7. August 6 David Zung
August 10 Bruce Neckels
August 12 Pauline Long
August 14 Henry Mottaz
August 15 Erin Neckels
August 17 Richard Roche
August 19 Michael Acosta
August 23 Jason Books
August 23 Abigail Ellis
August 24 Kealan Sucher
August 25 Lynn Yoshizumi
August 26 Erin Kent
August 26 David Kurushima
August 26 Marijane Settlemyer
August 28 Karen Griggs
Wishing you many blessings on your birthday!
Love, Your Church Family
• Rhonda Scott has been home from rehab for 2 weeks. She is able to speak slowly and is doing
well, all things considered. Please send greetings by mail to her home address listed in the
directory.
• Fernando Robles Levroney and the Levroney family are in need of prayers of peace, as they
mourn the loss of their beloved Ernie.
• Judy Andrus had a colostomy surgery due to her ovarian
cancer returning. Catie says that her mom is in pain 24-7.
Please send prayers of healing and care.
• Shirley Thomas had surgery to clear an infection in her lung.
She has not been alert and oriented since her quadruple
bypass..
• Dorothy Tyler is still residing at the same board and care but
is now blind and deaf. She turned 99 years old her last
birthday.
Harper Elizabeth Aaron
Born July 1, 2020
7 lbs, 13 oz.
Mom, Megan, is a dedicated parishioner at our
8:15 chapel services and still joins us online.
Congratulations to the Aaron Family!

8. LECTIONARY CALENDAR YEAR A
August 2 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 32:22-31; PS. 17:1-7, 15 (UMH 749); Rom. 9:1-5; Matt. 14:13-21
August 9 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 37:1-4, 12-28; Ps. 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b (UMH 828); Rom. 10:5-15;
Matt. 14:22-33
August 16 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Gen. 45:1-15; Ps. 133 (UMH 850); Rom. 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15:(10-20), 21-28
August 23 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Green.
Exo. 1:8-2:10; Ps. 124 (UMH 846); Rom. 12:1-8; Matt. 16:13-20
Sunday Worship Services are Posted Online by 8:00 AM | Worship at Your Leisure
Join us online via Facebook @nohofumc1 or YouTube @nohofumc
Virtual Coffee Fellowship at 11:30 AM on Zoom every Sunday | Meeting ID 285 041 605
Virtual Communion will be served on August 2nd via our online worship service.
(Please have your communion elements ready).
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by August 17th for the September 2020 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 Hollywood
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
“NoHoFUMC is a community that practices the all-inclusive and transforming love of God as modeled by the life
and ministry of Jesus Christ. We celebrate our diversity in race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, age, gender, ability, citizenship, and socioeconomic status. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we welcome all
people into the full participation of the life of the church.”