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1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
May 2022
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• AAPI Heritage Month
• Mother’s Day Celebration
• Justice Sings in June
• Easter Weekend Success
• Bible Study on Thursdays
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. Melissa MackKinnon
District Superintendent
Rev. Steven F. Peralta
Pastor
Congregation
Ministers
Michael McKenzie
Director of Music
Roger Eshleman
Organist
Nylean Rapinac
Administrator
Patty Kelsey
Director, Program Ministries
Tonya Peat
Director, Digital & Social Media
My Friends,
The world is a beautiful place. The creator has blessed us with the beauty of
the mountains and the deserts; the jungles and the plains, the oceans and the
skies. We marvel at the myriad of plants and creatures which inhabit the earth.
In the variety of humanity, we celebrate the divine image in our various colors,
shapes, and cultures.
Unfortunately, we humans often forget about the beauty and our charge to care
for the world and to care for God’s people. We destroy and pollute the earth
for profits. We dominate and subjugate fellow humans for power and profit.
As Christians, I believe we are called to more. This year, the leadership of this
church and your staff vowed to live into the welcome statement we affirmed as
a church on June 3, 2019, which says:
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.
We were inspired to build upon our tradition of celebrating Black History
Month and extending that mix of information and celebration to other
underrepresented cultures and experiences that make up our congregation and
the surrounding community. This month we will celebrate the mix of Asian
and Pacific Islander cultures of our members. We will hear testimonies about
their experience, and share tastes of their cultures during coffee fellowship after
church.
We know that during the season of the pandemic, the hidden racism against
people of Asian descent became overt, and Hate Crimes against Americans of
Asian descent increased at a rate of 700%. As we emerge from the pandemic
restrictions, even though the rate of hate crimes is diminishing, we still have
work to do to counter racism and to inspire understanding and community. It
isn’t enough to simply not be racist; we have to be at work against it.
I am excited for this month and I am looking forward to hearing the stories of
our congregation. May we all find blessing in the wealth of culture and
experience each of us carries into the ministry of our church.
Peace,
Pastor Steve
A LETTER FROM PASTOR STEVE

2. May Sermon Series: The House of Love
The lectionary Gospels take us through a series of passages in the book of John which describe the
nature of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit. Beginning May 15, we will begin a series
entitle “The House of Love” which will challenge each of us to understand how Christ calls us to love
as individuals and as a collective.
May 1 Sheep to Shepherds John 21:1-19
In a very personal encounter on a lakeside beach, Jesus turns lost sheep into shepherds.
May
8
Mother’s Day
Who is Your Shepherd?
Jesus says that his sheep know his voice, which raises the questions, “Who do you listen to the most in this world?
Who do you turn to for guidance, comfort, and safety?”
May 15 The Badge of Love
In sports, teams wear uniforms to identify which team a player belongs to. What distinguishes followers of Christ
from the rest of the world? Jesus didn’t instruct us to wear crosses; he said that mutual love is our greatest
testimony and birthmark.
May 22 The House of Love John 14:23-29
People sometimes refer to churches and sanctuaries as “The House of God.” We borrow the language from the
ancient Hebrews who believed that the tabernacle and the temple were the places where God dwelled among the
people. Jesus said something different when he taught that God dwells among those who love. Does God dwell
among us?
May 29 The Witness of Love John 17:20-26
As finite people, many things happen outside of our sensory circles. We find out about these happenings through
media sources, news agencies, books, art, and our friends and families. How does the world hear about God’s
love? God sends us.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ONLINE WORSHIP
Piano & Organ - Roger Eshleman Call to Worship Response - Norman Kelsey
Hymns & Special Music - Michael McKenzie
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
April 3 - Gift of Love
April 10 - Palm Sunday Praise Parade
April 17 - Full Bloom
April 24 - Cal Pac Conference Video
Scripture Reader
April 3 - Sherri Perry
April 10 - Jesse Boone
April 17 - Norman Kelsey
April 24 - Cal Pac Conference Video
John 20:22-30
John 13:31-35
Pastor Steve Sermon Titles and Scripture
April 3 - “Honoring Jesus” based on John 12:1-8
April 10 - “Proclaiming Jesus” based on Luke 19:28-40
April 17 - “Jesus Has Left the Tomb” based on Luke 24:1-12
April 24 - ““Cal-Pac Conference Video,” based on Acts 4:32-3
Special Music
April 3 - Michael McKenzie | Oh The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus
April 10 - Hillsong | Hosanna/ For Those Who Are About to Come
April 17 - NOHO FUMC Choir | O Living God
April 24 - Cal Pac Conference Video

3. CELEBRATE WITH US @NOHOFUMC
SUNDAY, MAY 8TH
Mother's Day
We honor our mothers, mother figures,
and all the women who nuture us.
All ladies in attendance
receive a special gift today.

4. The History of AAPI Heritage Month
More than 100 years before the first AAPI
Heritage Week was declared, the month of
May became a significant time for the AAPI
community in the United States. On May 7,
1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in
the country, and a few decades later on May
10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad,
which was worked on by roughly 20,000
Chinese immigrants, was completed.
It wasn’t until 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed a presidential proclamation, that AAPI Heritage
Week was first celebrated. Then, Congress passed an amendment in 1992 which called on the people of
the U.S. to observe an entire AAPI Heritage Month with “appropriate ceremonies, programs and
activities.”
Now, May is used as a time by those of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage to amplify their voices and
their concerns, as well as share their cultural pride.
A rather broad term, Asian and Pacific Islander traditionally refers to those who have origins in the East,
Southeast, the Indian subcontinent of Asia, as well as the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and
Polynesia.
“Asian Americans, and Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our Nation more vibrant through
diversity of cultures, languages, and religions,” said the White House statement. “There is no single story
of the AANHPI experience, but rather a diversity of contributions that enrich America’s culture and
society and strengthen the United States’ role as a global leader. The American story as we know it would
be impossible without the strength, contributions, and legacies of AANHPIs who have helped build and
unite this country in each successive generation.”
Manjiro, first Japanese Immigrant Chinese workers on the Transcontinental Railroad

5. The importance of celebrating
Over the past two years, Asian American communities have been reeling from an uptick in violence and
hate spurred by racist rhetoric about the coronavirus pandemic. During AAPI Heritage Month and
beyond, advocates are urging Americans to seek out ways to be allies in actionable ways that go beyond
words.
According to the advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate, hate crimes against Asian Americans in major U.S.
cities grew nearly 150 percent in 2020, despite an overall decline in hate crimes in 2019. AAPI Heritage
Month is not only a month for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to celebrate and educate, but also a
time for all Americans to actively participate and take actions to educate themselves. Allies are important
in any cause, and can help to amplify the voices of the Asian American community when they need it the
most.
How to educate and celebrate
One of the most important lessons to learn about appreciating a culture other than your own, whether it is
AAPI culture or another culture, is that self-education should always be the first step. Whether that means
watching documentaries or cracking open a book or two, educating yourself about the history and
hardships of another culture is the best starting point in your journey to openly celebrating it.
Before you dig into comedies like “Crazy Rich Asians” or more somber films like “The Farewell,” begin by
taking the time to learn about the long history of injustice faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
in the U.S. — including the Page Act of 1875, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the incarceration of
Japanese American citizens during World War II, the murder of Vincent Chin, the mass shooting of
Southeast Asian refugee children in 1989, and the targeting of South Asian Americans, especially those
who are Muslim, Hindu or Sikh, after the national tragedy of 9/11.
Great resources for educating yourself about AAPI history and culture include reading articles about how
to fight anti-AAPI bias and the history of Asian Americans in the U.S., as well as following educational
influencers on social media platforms,
Another great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month is by dining at your neighborhood Asian-owned
restaurants and shopping in Asian-owned stores within our community.
NOHO FUMC is honored to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans Pacific Islanders within our
own community this month. Please take a look at our schedule of AAPI focus and join us during worship
for special moments. Following worship, we will enjoy a “Taste of Asia,” with a delicious treat that will be
hosted by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within our own community. We hope that you will join us.
May 1st - Filipino Americans May 22nd - Korean | Japanese Americans
May 8th - Taiwanese | Chinese Americans May 29th - Indian Americans
May 15th - Vietnamese | Thai Americans

6. Pastor’s Bible Study:
Thursdays at 7:00 PM
In-Person: Hand in Hand Room;
Virtual ZOOM ID #875 0663 0257,
passcode 563041
For almost two-thousand years, Christians have
turned to the book of Romans for direction,
encouragement, and insights into God nature and
character. However, the contents of this letter
have often been misused to justify oppression and
exclusion within the church. You are invited to
join Pastor Steve for a four-week study of the book
of Romans. Together, we will discuss the context
of the letter and why it was written; break-down
the structure of the letter, and of course, read and
discuss the contents of the letter.
You do not need to purchase any materials or
prepare for the first class. All you need is a
modern translation of the Bible, a notebook, and a
pen/pencil. All other materials will be provided.
Expect classes to last between 70-90 minutes.
Hope to see you at the study.
YOUR RALPHS REWARDS CARD
HELPS THE PANTRY
Use your Ralphs Reward Card to save on
groceries and donate to the North Hollywood
Interfaith Food Pantry every time you shop!
It is easy to register for the Ralphs Community
Contribution Program. Just go to ralphs.com to
sign up or re-register. Scroll to the bottom of the
screen and click on Kroger Community Rewards
under Community. Select North Hollywood
Interfaith Food Pantry (HD720) as your charity
of choice.
Then you just shop, show you Ralphs card to the
checker and help feed the clients of the Pantry.
Once registered you should see at the bottom of
the receipt the statement “At your request,
Ralphs is donating to North Hollywood
Interfaith Food Pantry”.
If you don’t have a computer or need help
registering, call Ralphs customer service at
1-800-443-4438
Pastor Steve Joins the Fight Against HIV/AIDS with Team Circuit Riders!
Pastor Steve has joined forces with friends and Colleagues from our Annual Conference to ride in the
2022 Aids/Lifecycle Ride. The ride begins in San Francisco and winds down the coast of California to
Los Angeles. From June 5 through June 11, he and 2,000 other people will pedal 545 miles to raise
awareness that while we have made tremendous advances in the fight against HIV and AIDS, the
disease has not disappeared and it is not easy to live with.
But the ride isn’t just about awareness; it is also a major fundraiser supporting for the San Francisco
AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. These funds help these centers provide HIV/
AIDS medical care, testing, and prevention services. These centers also provide life-giving affirmation to
those who have been rejected by their families and communities. Pastor Steve set a goal to raise
$5,000.00. To date, he has raised $3,713.00. If you wish to support his efforts, you can go to https://
actnow.tofighthiv.org/goto/stevenperalta or contact him directly.
Please keep Pastor Steve, Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth, Rev. Andy Mattick, Dr. Larry Hygh, Jr., Mark
Whitman, and Brian Fula-Napoli in your prayers as they train, prepare, and undertake this endeavor.

7. engage in discourse about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and reflect on the
significance of Pride. The evening will include group singing of songs for peace and
justice, conversation led by a panel, and the opportunity to join in discussion with one
another. Beforehand, all are welcome to join us for a meal at 5:30 pm!
On Sunday, June 12th Voices for Social Justice will be hosting a Pride Pop-Up in the
courtyard at 12 pm after the service. They will be providing free make your own pride
flag kits complete with a variety of craft supplies. Come do crafts to show your Pride
and allyship, or take some premade kits to share with family and friends!
All events are free and open to the public! Come join us as we celebrate Pride month
through art, singing, sharing a meal, and growing as a community in our efforts to
honor LGBTQIA+ experiences. We hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars to join Voice for
Social Justice for two Pride Month events
at NoHo FUMC. Voices for Social Justice
is a nonprofit organization that works to
combine social activism with artistic
expression.
To kick off Pride Month, we will be
hosting a Justice Sing on Saturday, June
11th at 7 pm. Join us for an evening of
song, dialogue, and community as we

8. The Rev. Dr. Joey Macdonald Educational Grant
We are pleased to offer the Rev. Dr. Joey Macdonald Educational grant for the 2022-2023 school year.
The Education Grant is a non-competitive grant given to those working towards a college or post-
graduate degree. It carries no academic requirement or financial need threshold. The grants will be
issued up to the amount of $1,000.00 per year, per student, until the fund is exhausted.
To qualify the student must meet the following criteria:
1. The student must be a member or related to an active church member or active constituent of
North Hollywood First United Methodist Church.
2. The student must be seeking a college-level degree (associate, bachelor, master, or doctorate). This
must be their first degree at each level. Students seeking a second bachelor or master degree will
not be eligible.
3. The student must be actively enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university in the United
States.
4. A student may continue to apply through the progression of their education (associate to bachelor
to master to doctorate).
To apply for the grant students must submit a written request by July 1st of the grant year. Applications
may be downloaded from www.nohofumc.org. The application will include applicant’s personal contact
information, relationship to North Hollywood FUMC, educational goals, and verification of enrollment.
The grants will be awarded by September 15th each year. The grant checks will be sent directly to the
school before the Fall term. Students are welcome to reapply for a grant in the subsequent grant year.
The McDonald Family formed the scholarship fund in memory of Rev. Dr. Joey McDonald, who passed
away after 28 years of ministry at North Hollywood First United Methodist Church. The family aimed to
support students pursuing post-secondary education, a cause about which Dr. McDonald was very
passionate. They established the fund with donations from friends and family who wished to memorialize
him.
Altar Flowers & Bud Vases by Diana’s
• Fresh altar flowers will be $35 per one arrangement, in
honor or in memory of your loved ones or in
celebration of a special event!
• Your flowers will be arranged in a recyclable pot.
Allowing you to take home your entire arrangement, in
tact.
• Bud vase roses for birth & death announcements are
$10 each.
• Please sign up with Nylean in the church office.
Thank you for blessing our worship space
with flowers for Jesus!

9. A tidbit of Holy Week
and Easter Weekend.
God is Good!

10. May your birthday be filled with blessings!
Love, Your Church Family
May 1 Ken Ellis
May 4 Kim Miller
May 6 Noah Fetterman
May 10 Shirley Kurushima
May 11 Dottie Vick
May 14 Shaun Vieten
May 16 Jodi Smith
May 18 Phil Roche
May 18 Steven Vick
May 22 Karin Ellis
May 24 Sinjin Doelitzsch
May 24 Melissa Noren
May 25 Ashley Peat
• Sue Schnelle, Nylean’s daughter’s step-mother, has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer.
• Bill Varney fell and broke his hip. He is recuperating at St. Joseph Medical Center, following surgery.
He is keeping his spirits up and is grateful that God has blessed him with time on this earth.
• Please lift us Byron and DeAnne Hayes. DeAnne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
• Roger Eshleman's sister, Joan Velde, is home and recuperating after a bought of pneumonia. Prayers
for Joan, as she continues her cancer treatment.
• Jeff Thomas' brother, Isaac, is facing very serious health issues.
Gail Coyle
Long time, active church member.
Gail, entered the church triumphant
on, April 24, 2022.

11. LECTIONARY READINGS AND LITURGICAL INFORMATION - YEAR C
May 1 Third Sunday of Easter. White or Gold. Communion Sunday.
Acts 9:1-6; Psalm 30 (UMH 762); Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
May 8
Fourth Sunday of Easter. Mother’s Day. White or Gold.
Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23 (UMH 754 or 137); Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
May 15 Fifth Sunday of Easter. White or Gold.
Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148 (UMH 861); Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
May 22 Sixth Sunday of Easter. White or Gold.
Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67 (UMH 791); Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29
May 29 Seventh Sunday. of Easter. White.
Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97 (UMH 816); Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
Two ways to worship with us: In-person or Online
We post our worship service on YouTube @nohofumc every Saturday
The link for worship can also be found, online, via Facebook @nohofumc1
Communion will be served, in-person, on May 1st.
Every Sunday in May, we will celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by May 17th for the June 2022 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.”