This document provides information about events and worship services at the First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood for the month of December 2020. It includes details about an Advent study, Christmas Eve worship, caroling, prayer concerns, and birthdays. The main events are an Advent study discussing the book "Honest Advent" on Zoom, Christmas Eve drive-in caroling, and online worship services each Sunday with sermons focused on Advent announcements.

1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
DECEMBER 2020
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• A Christmas Carol
• Christmas Eve Worship
• 22nd Annual Tree Lot
• Poinsettia Orders
• Reverse Advent Calendar
GOOD NEWS is published monthly
by First United Methodist Church of
North Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Rev. Grant Hagiya
Bishop
Rev. Jim Powell
District Superintendent
Senior Pastor
Rev. Steven F. Peralta
Congregation
Ministers
Jeff Thomas
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me…to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the release to the prisoners; to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor…to comfort all who mourn.”
Isaiah 61:1-2, NRSV
The year was 2005, and as the holiday seasons approached, America found itself
recovering from the horrific effects of Hurricane Katrina and bickering over an
unpopular war in Iraq. Johnny Rzeznik, a musician sat down to write a song that
encompassed all he was feeling. That song, Better Days, opens with a poignant
thought:
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
In designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Fifteen years later, as we persevere in the face of a global pandemic, move
through a contentious political season, and weigh what justice and equality
should look like in our country, these words again resonate within my heart and
soul. As we once again come face to face with Advent and Christmas and the
awkward, inconvenient birth of Jesus, I am haunted by that question, “What do
you want this year?”
Don’t get me wrong: I love little gifts and all the decorations and traditions that
go with Advent and Christmas…but this year I’m searching for something
more…something deeper…something more powerful…something better. There
is a deeper work thing that I long for, something hinted at in the words of the
prophets and in the unfolding of the Christmas story.
And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child he saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
As we tie up the ends of a difficult and trying year, I suggest that instead of us
mourning what we have lost and what isn’t happening this year, we should
instead prayerfully aspire towards the people God is calling us to be and the
things God is calling us to do as representatives of that child.
(continued on page 3)

2. December 6 And Now for Something More Powerful Mark 1:1-8
John’s voice is singular among the many voices calling to God’s people. How do we, as the church, become “the
voice of one”? How does our proclamation of God’s Kingdom become separate from the political polemics of
our nation and world?
December 13 And Now for Something Brighter
The Pharisees want to know if John is the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet. But John knows his call: he’s
a witness, a testimony, and a messenger. He’s announcing the light of God is coming…do we know our
call?
December 20 Baby Announcements Luke 1:26-38
The Angel announces a special baby to Mary…but this is more than a baby…Mary has questions, but despite her
fear and inability to completely understand, she says “yes.” Are we will willing to say “yes” to let Christ grow
within us? Are we willing to be vulnerable?
December 24 Birth Announcements Luke 2:1-20
The announcement of Christ’s birth goes out to a peculiar cast…we tell this story over and over, because it’s our
story. It’s the story of a God who chooses a young couple to do important work for the sake of the world…for
shepherds who will hear news that kings and rulers will never hear. In this drama, the bullies and despots of the
world don’t get to be a part of the story.
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 Call to Worship Response - Norman Kelsey
Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Mary Dennis
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
November 1 - All Saints Day
November 8 - Foolish or Wise
November 15 - God by My Side
November 22 - Thanks Living
November 29 - Do Not Open Until
Scripture Reader
November 1 - Henry Melendez
November 8 - Norman Kelsey
November 15 - Tara Varilek
November 22 - Daniella Lake
November 29 - Sherri Perry
Advent Wreath Readers & Candle Lighters
Candle of Hope - Julie, Andy & Sierra Shuford Candle of Peace - Libeck, Shaun & Avery Vieten
Candle of Joy - Tonya, Scott, Ava, Ashley, & Annabelle Peat Christ Candle - Rachel, Phillip & Henry Mottaz
Candle of Love - Hannah, Jason, Josie, & Jackson Books
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Pastor Steve’s Sermon Series: In The Meantime
Sermon Titles and Scripture
November 1 - The Eternal Lamb | Revelation 7:9-17
November 8 - The Delayed Bridegroom | Matthew 25:1-13
November 15 - The Traveling Master | Matthew 25:14-30
November 22 - The Righteous Judge | Matthew 25:31-46
November 29 - And Now for Something Better |
Special Music
November 1 - Norman Kelsey on guitar | We Fall Down
November 8 - Gateway Music | I Will Wait
November 15 - Norman Kelsey | I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
November 22 - Shaun Vieten | MLK Song
Sermon Series - “Announcements! Announcements!”
During this season of Advent, the Gospel lessons seem preoccupied with
announcing that something bigger, better, brighter, and more precious is on its
way. In each of them, we are called to be less concerned about our own position
and power; and more concerned with announcing, proclaiming, and bearing
witness to what is coming.
Organist - Roger Eshleman

3. Christmas Merry Making Drive-in or Drive-thru
Definitely Dickens Carolers
Saturday, December 19th
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM in our Church South Parking Lot
• Please invite your family and friends to drive-in and enjoy yuletide cheer, from your vehicle.
• Bring a lawn chair and stay within your bubble, park 6-10 feet apart.
• Please follow guidelines and have your mask on properly when not sipping your beverage.
• You are also welcome to drive-thru only and pick up your beverage.
• Please RSVP
(Continued from front cover)
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
As we move through the Advent patterns of hope, joy, love, and peace, may we be ready for something better, more
powerful, and brighter than we have ever imagined as Christ breaks into our world again. I hope that you will join me
for our Advent Study as we read and discuss Scott Erickson’s An Honest Advent (available at www.amazon.com) and
participate in our online worship service each Sunday. Together, we will find better days as we make our way towards
Christmas.
In Christ,
Pastor Steve

4. Advent Study
2020 has been the strangest year. A year which began with so much promise has devolved into a year of
uncertainty, fear, impatience, strife, rancor, and hardship. As we prepare to close down the year, we come to
our annual ending ritual: Advent and Christmas. But this year is different. This year the season of
expectation and Good Cheer comes in the midst of a Global pandemic…and it’s going to be different…but
it doesn’t have to suck.
In a year where so much has lost its familiarity, we have the opportunity to be re-introduced to the wonder of
Advent and Christmas. Join me on Thursday Evenings at 7:00PM on Zoom as we work our way through
Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-With-Us Then, Here, and Now by Scott Erickson. Together, we will
read through 25 days of heart-stirring images and thought-provoking meditations to re-kindle the wonder of
God-with-Us. Honest Advent creates space for you to encounter the Incarnate Christ in unexpected places.
We will meet in Zoom Meeting #831-3215-9312 (no password required) on the following evenings:
December 3 We will discuss Chapters 1-5
December 10 We will discuss Chapters 6-12
December 17 We will discuss Chapters 13-19
You can purchase Honest Advent at www.amazon.com or at any seller of Christian books.
Single Board Updates
Just a quick word to let you all know that the door project is finally nearing completion. We thank Muffett
Brinkman, Phil Roche, Shirley Kurushima, and Heemanshu Bhagat for their work and effort to make our
facility more secure and easier to navigate. Please note that we have re-keyed the entire FUMC and
shared-use areas of the campus and the old keys will not work. If you have an old key and feel you need
one, please contact Nylean Rapinac in the office to request a replacement.
At our charge conference, we welcome four new members to the Board: Sherri Perry, Morenike Lake, and
Ceasar Ancheta all agreed to serve. Jim Tyree will serve as an official member of the board until the
transition of the financial accounting and payroll to Churc-Biz is completed (April 2021). At that point he
will step down from his long-standing work as treasurer. We thank Jim for his work and his faithfulness!
Lastly, we celebrate the official recognition of Norman Kelsey as our Lay-Leader. Norman has been
trained and groomed for this role by Pastor Joey and in many ways has already been serving as a spiritual
leader in our congregation. He will be responsible for calling and leading the All Church Meetings and
helping shape and define our church’s mission, values, and priorities as we begin 2021!

5. Along with shelter, one of the most basic of all human needs is the need for food. Hunger is a
powerful force that can and does destroy lives. At Hope of the Valley, we know that for most,
Hope begins with a Hot Meal! Helping a mom feed her children, rescuing someone off the
streets and starting their road to recovery with a warm hot meal is what we do!
This holiday season we do not want any of our 500+ homeless clients to go hungry. During
November and December we will serve 90,000 meals! We have already raised funds for 50,000
of those meals and we are launching The Wall of Hunger Campaign to fund the final 40,000
meals. So, to insure no one goes to bed hungry this holiday season, we need to raise $80,000 to
Break the Hunger Barrier. Consider becoming a meal sponsor:
Meal Sponsorship Levels
25 Meals Sponsored - $50 (182 more needed)
50 Meals Sponsored - $100 (18 more needed)
100 Meals Sponsored - $200 (6 more needed)
250 Meals Sponsored - $500 (2 more needed)
500 Meals Sponsored - $1,000 (2 more needed)
1000 Meals Sponsored - $2000 (0 needed)
2500 Meals Sponsored - $5000 (1 needed)
5000 Meals Sponsored - $10,000 (1 needed)
Donate by mailing a check to: PO Box 7609 Mission Hills, CA 91346

6. Fundraiser for NOHO FUMC Programs
Sue McDonald is selling her delicious homemade
jams and jellies (and Anne Roche’s apricot jam)!
These jams are great for gifts to your neighbors,
teachers, essential workers.
To order, please contact Sue at:
marysuejams@gmail.com
All profits go to support NOHO FUMC Programs!

7. Wishing you a birthday that is merry and bright!
Love, Your Church Family
December 5 Anita McChesney
December 6 Helen Wirth
December 7 Ralph Seybold
December 10 Doug Eboch
December 11 Myriel Tyree
December 16 Pastor Steve
December 17 Cary Noren
December 18 Jeff Thomas
December 20 Genelita Ancheta
December 20 Clive Melville
December 21 James St. John
December 24 Tracey Radillo
December 25 Jesus
December 31 Nancy Kien
• Gary Solt fell off a ladder, onto concrete, and was severely injured. Gary broke 3 vertebrae and many
other bones. He is home recuperating and will be getting rid of his ladders!
• Patty's cousin, Lorraine Kalayanaprapruit, had liver damage from toxic poisoning.
• Muffett Brinkman's stepdad, Carl VanDorn, is not doing well. He has a blood clot in his lung but they
are unable to provide blood thinners due to his previous brain bleed last year. Doctors felt there was a
possibility that Carl could pass away any day.
• Muffett's good friend, Adam, is in need of prayers for his husband, Oscar. Oscar is in a Neuro-ICU for
bleeding in his brain and spinal column. Adam and Oscar have 6 kids. Please lift up the family.
• Shaun Vieten's Dad, Brian, has been in pain and weary. He has had two emergency trips to the ER
and was admitted into CCU both times. Please lift up Brian, Barbara, and the Vieten family.
• Judy Andrus was hospitalized because she was unable to keep food down. She is in pain from her
cancer that has returned. Please lift up Judy and our church friend, Catie.
• Shaun Vieten's Uncle, Dennis, suffered a stroke.
• Muffett Brinkman's Dad, Michael, is undergoing treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer.
• Amy Schwartz lost her father before Thanksgiving. His death was unexpected and the family is dealing
with grief.
You can send your joys and concerns in a variety of ways:
1. Contact the church office at (818) 763-8231 or nohofumc@pacbell.net
2. Drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday
3. Let us know if this is a private prayer, for the prayer chain only,
or if it can be shared with the congregation.

8. OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP (YEAR B)
December 6 Second Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue.
Isa. 40:1-11; Ps. 85:1-2, 8-13 (UMH 806); 2 Pet. 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
December 13 Third Sunday of Advent. Purple, Blue.
Isa. 61:1-4, 8-11; Ps. 126 (UMH 847); 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue.
2 Sam. 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55 (UMH 199); Rom. 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
December 24 Christmas Eve. Peace. White or Gold.
Isaiah 9:2-7; Ps. 96 (UMH 815), Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
December 27 First Sunday After Christmas. White or Gold.
Isa. 61:10-62:3; Ps. 148 (UMH 861); Gal. 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
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 893 0136 6824
Virtual Communion will be served on December 6th via our online worship service.
(Please have your communion elements ready).
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by December 17th for the January 2021 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.”