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1. First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood
GOOD NEWS
e-mail: nohofumc@pacbell.net
DECEMBER 2022
facebook.com/nohofumc1 www.nohofumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Volunteer at the Tree Lot
• Christmas Weekend
Worship Schedule
• Poinsettia Orders
• Sweater Weather Get-
Together
GOOD NEWS is published monthly
by First United Methodist Church of
North Hollywood, California 91601
Phone (818) 763-8231
Rev. Grant Hagiya
Bishop
Rev. Melissa MacKinnon
District Superintendent
Rev. Steve Peralta
Senior 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
Every year, I hear people complaining about the commercialization of
Christmas. As the pressure to buy gifts and make this “the best Christmas ever”
bombard us through our televisions, on the radio, in our email, and on every
website, we somehow get the notion that Christmas is about the decorations
and gifts and gatherings and feasts. The season has become something of a
secular event, able to be enjoyed by any and all who desire to participate in
whatever way they desire.
Now, this isn’t a bad thing, yet so often we grumble about how the “true
meaning” of Christmas is lost in the hustle and bustle of the commercial push.
We might feel, that in a season where our hearts are supposed to be filled with
joy and glad tidings, that our hearts just feel too small for joy.
Theodore Seuss Geisel found himself struggling to care for his wife, Helen,
who had many ongoing medical problems. As he cared for his wife and
observed the continuing commercialization of Christmas with dismay, he found
himself feeling isolated and grouchy during the Christmas season. As he looked
at himself in the mirror on December 26th of 1956, he decided he needed to
write a story about a solitary creature with a heart “two sizes too small” who
hated Christmas. According to him, he needed to uncover the deeper meaning
of Christmas and found it was the easiest book of his career to write.
We know the book as How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and it has become a
classic tale of how the Grinch discovers that even if you remove all the ribbons
and tags and packages, boxes, and bags, Christmas still comes. He famously
concludes, “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe
Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”
We know Christmas means so much more than the decorations, gifts and feasts.
We know Christmas is more than roast beast. We know Christmas is about God
entering creation in a vulnerable baby boy, to make sure we could know God’s
ways and God’s love. It’s about light and life pushing back the darkness and
bringing hope, love, joy, and peace to our world.
The book ends with the Grinch returning all of the gifts and decorations to the
Whos. Knowing the true meaning of Christmas, he could enjoy all the
trapping and the noise and he had room in his heart for all the joy. So let’s seize
hold of the deeper meaning of Christmas, so that we can enjoy all that the
season offers.
Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Steve
Don’t forget to join us for Christmas Worship!
Christmas Eve Service: December 24 at 7:00 PM
Christmas Day Service: December 25 at 10:30 AM

2. HIGHLIGHTS OF WORSHIP (Online & In-Person)
Tune in every Sunday for a brand new worship service! YouTube @nohofumc and on Facebook @nohofumc1.
Vocals - Michael McKenzie
Moment with Children - Patty Kelsey
November 6 - All Saints Day
November 13 - God Holds the Future
November 20 - Backwards King
November 27 - Isaiah’s Hope
Scripture Reader
November 6 - Sherri Perry
November 13 - Doug Eboch
November 20 - Jesse Boone
November 27 - Daniella Lake
Isaiah 35:1-10
Pastor Steve’s Sermon Series: Surviving the Storm
Sermon Titles and Scripture
November 6 - The Living Dead | Luke 20:27-38
November 13 - Surviving the Storm | Luke 21:5-19
November 20 - The End is the Beginning | Luke 23:33-43
Advent Sermon Series: How the Grinch Found Christmas
November 27 - Everything is Wrong| Isaiah 2:1-5
Advent Wreath Readers & Candle Lighters
Candle of Hope - Tonya & Ashley Peat
Candle of Peace - Libeck, Shaun & Avery Vieten
Candle of Love - Morenike, Daniella, Darrell, Dianne, & Dr. Lake
Candle of Joy - Tammy, Mateo, Malibu & Manhattan Messina
Christ Candle - Hannah-Ye, Josie & Jackson Books
Sermon Series - How the Grinch Found Christmas
Does your heart feel a little too small? Are you starting to resemble The
Grinch? This Advent season,we will use Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole
Christmas,” alongside scripture to guide our preparation for Christ’s birth,
and see if we can grow our hearts three sizes!
Piano & Organist - Roger Eshleman
December 4 Mistaking Christmas Isaiah 11:1-10
The Grinch hated Christmas...why did he think it was so awful? Could it be that he was looking at it the wrong
way? How does our view of Christmas affect our hearts and our season?
December 11 Seeking Light
Every Advent, we can either look at the darkness of the world, or we can watch for the light of God that
enters our world. Are we trying to extinguish the light of Christmas like the Grinch, or are we looking for
the light?
December 18 Magnifying Joy Matthew 1:18-25
Something causes the Grinch’s heart to suddenly grow...do you remember? We will speak of the joy
that Christmas brings...and ask ourselves how we can magnify it for the world around us.
December 24 Making Room in Your Heart Luke 2:1-20
The Grinch’s heart grows...and it changes him. What will we do with the extra room in our hearts? Will
we have enough for the joy and wonder that the Christ child brings?
December 25 How the Grinch Saved Christmas John 1:1-11
The story of the Grinch reminds us that Christmas doesn’t come from a store...maybe Christmas,
perhaps, means a little bit more? As we sing the great carols of the season, may the meaning of Christmas
pervade our season.

3. Saturday,
December 18th

4. Saturday, December 24th
7:00 PM - Worship Service
Featuring Children’s Message,
Chancel Choir & Special Music,
Lessons, & Candlelight Service.
Sunday, December 25th
10:30 AM - Worship Service
Lets Celebrate the REASON for the SEASON!
Enjoy Christmas carols and an uplifting message.
Fellowship will also take place in the courtyard.
Stop by before heading out for the day.
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
10:30 AM Christmas Service.
Thank you for your $10.00 donation. Please complete the section
below and return the form to the office with cash or 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

5. The Christmas Tree Lot Returns!
Advent Bible Study
At 7:00 PM, every Thursday during Advent, we will use Matt Rawle’s Advent study to
explore the themes of Advent, using scripture and Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole
Christmas to prepare us for birth of Christ.We have twelve books available, or you can
purchase through www.amazon.com.
We will meet in the Hand-In-Hand Room
and virtually on ZOOM Meeting ID 833 4766 7778, passcode 433100.
December 1 – Chapter 1 “When Everything Is Wrong”
December 8 – Chapter 2 “When Christmas isn’t Christmas”
December 15 – Chapter 3 “When Light Shines”
December 22 – Chapter 4 “When Joy Is Our Song”
We need your help! We have partnered with the
Wesley School to bring back the Christmas Tree Lot!
We will be open Fridays from 4 PM to 8 PM,
Saturdays 10 AM – 8 PM, and Sundays 12 PM –
8PM, with our last day of business scheduled for
December 18. We not only need your smile and joy
to serve as volunteer staff on the lot; we also hope
that you will let your friends and family know that
“the tree with a heart” is back in business, raising
money for good locally and globally!
You can sign-up for a shift here:
This year, the proceeds will benefit the North
Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry, LA Family
Housing, Hope of the Valley, Paws 4 Life; and
UMCOR. The Tree Lot raises the profile of the
church and the school in the community, and offers
opportunities for church members and school families
to work side- by-side and develop friendship and
familiarity.
The Messina Family volunteered for
opening day shift!

6. In the event that you would like to become a regular donor to the pantry, in order to help offset the cost of
this move and expansion, the Pantry is asking for pledges of $40 per month for a year. Fifty such pledges
would pay for rent and utilities for the first year. One hundred of those pledges would enable the Pantry to
be secure in that space for the next 2 years.
The goal is to honor the 40th Anniversary by asking donors for $40 per month.
In order to become one of the"40for40" donors or make a donation towards the "Refrigerator Match
Challenge," you can use your credit card by the following these simple steps:
1. GO TO THE PANTRY WEBSITE, nhifp.org
2. CLICK ON THE “GIVE NOW” BUTTON ON THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF
THE HOME PAGE
3. SELECT AN AMOUNT TO DONATE OR THE “OTHER" BUTTON ON THE AMOUNT
SUGGESTION LIST
4. ENTER $40.00 (or your preferred donation amount) AND SELECT THE “RECURRING
DONATION BUTTON" or "ONE-TIME DONATION" for the "REFRIGERATOR
MATCH CHALLENGE”.
5. ENTER YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL AND CREDIT CARD INFORMATION AND
SUBMIT PAYMENT
6. YOU CAN PRINT THE CONFIRMATION PAGE FOR YOUR RECEIPT
Your credit card will be automatically charged for the amount you choose each month, and you may cancel
at any time. But it is hoped you'll continue to support the cause for as long as you can, as the demand for
the Pantry services is increasing every month and no change is seen in the future. Thank you for your
generous support of the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry: they couldn't do what they do without
you!
40 for 40! Refrigerator Match Challenge!
In 2023 the North Hollywood Interfaith Pantry will
be celebrating its 40th year in existence and will be
moving distribution to a new, larger location - a
storefront on Moorpark Street, the space vacated by
Dee’s Florist. This space will have 3 times the
square footage of the current distribution space,
which will enable the Pantry to expand its services!
The expansion includes the need for refrigeration so
the Pantry is planning to install commercial grade
refrigerators, there so that it will be possible to offer
a large variety of fresh foods to their clientele,
something that heretofore has not been possible.
The Pantry has received a $3,500 pledge
to MATCH the first $3,500 donated for the
refrigerators. Will you be a match? - Donate NOW
as shown below.

7. UWF MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday, December 14th
Noon
Community Room
All women are invited, whether you have
attended before or not.
Please bring a sack lunch.
Beverages and dessert will be provided.
There will be a Christmas program and the
collection of funds to buy $15 Target gift
cards. These gift cards will be given to some of
the youth and young adults that access
services and participate in programs at David
and Margaret Youth and Family Services in
LaVerne, which is one of nearly 100 UWF
National Missions.
Providing gift cards is one of the ways by
which our group supports David and
Margaret Home.
If other members of the congregation would
like to participate, please see Lynn Yoshizumi.
Any size donation would be very much
appreciated.
We are always looking to add to our choir!
Choir singers attend rehearsal on Wednesdays
in the Sanctuary and get special vocal training
from our choir director, Michael McKenzie.
Choir members have an important role of
helping the congregation worship and praise
Jesus on Sunday mornings.
If you have a passion for singing, join us!

8. Wishing you a birthday that is merry and bright!
Love, Your Church Family
December 5 Anita McChesney
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
• Christine Ranker has passed away back in Ohio where she lived after a brief illness. I would appreciate
prayers for the family.
• Kathi Ellis is now in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation.
• Carrie Minetree was diagnosed with breast cancer again and will undergo surgery and treatment.
• Mychal Guyton was discharged after a complicated endoscopic surgery and resting at home.
• Rhonda Scott is still recovering from a severe stroke several years ago. She lives in Tampa, Florida and
would love some cards or notes. Please contact the church office for Rhonda's address.
• Sandra Benton was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent radioactive iodine treatment.
• Amy Pimentel has a tumor on her humerus bone and her specialist at San Diego University claimed
she is a medical mystery. Please pray for her to find an end to the pain, so she will be able to return to
work and support her son.
• Please lift up Byron and DeAnne Hayes. DeAnne was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and is staying in a
care facility. She is losing cognition and Byron is lonely without his best friend. They celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary this year.
• Roger Eshleman's sister, Joan Velde, is receiving alternative treatments for her cancer.
• Dr. Vichit Varachun, Patty Kelsey’s Uncle & Uma Tokahuta’s brother in-law, passed away on
December 1st, in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.

10. Thank you, once again, to the very talented, Nick Bow...who created a Who-ville scene in our Sanctuary
Altar/Chancel area! It’s details like this, that really help tie our story and theme of “How the Grinch
Found Christmas, together. Nick painstakingly recreated an archway from the 1966 animated classic,
using a jigsaw and his creativity. It is the exact match and at 12 feet tall, a sight to see!

11. LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE (YEAR A)
December 4 Second Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue.
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
December 11 Third Sunday of Advent. Purple, Blue.
Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11; Luke 1:46b-55
December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent. Purple or Blue.
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
December 24 Christmas Eve. Peace. White or Gold.
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96 (UMH 815), Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
December 25 Christmas Day. White or Gold.
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
Sunday Worship Services are Posted Online by 8:00 AM | Worship In-Person at 10:30 AM
Join us online via Facebook @nohofumc1 or YouTube @nohofumc
Communion will be served, in-person, on December 4th during worship.
Please have your articles for the Good News to the church office by December 17th for the January 2023 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.”