Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. My message to you today is this: “It is time.” The pandemic has ebbed. The summer is over. If you have been away from church, it is time to press the reset button on your spiritual life and come back to Peachtree Road UMC. Sunday marks “Fall Kick-off,” and I want to suggest five good reasons to make attendance this week a priority:

  • The music, both congregational singing and the anthem offered by the Chancel Choir, will be inspiring
  • New members who have recently joined to Peachtree Road UMC will be recognized, and their pictures will be in Sunday’s worship bulletin
  • On the 21st anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001, we will pause to remember the lives that were lost and to give thanks for God’s care in these days
  • At the close of worship, a fried chicken luncheon will be served in Grace Hall from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm 
  • All of your Peachtree Road friends will be there!

On Sunday we will begin a new sermon series emphasizing our ministry of hospitality entitled “Come to the Table.” Each week you are invited to Peachtree Road UMC for some table talk:

September 11 | Luke 24:28-35 | All Are Welcome at the Table
September | Luke 14:12-14 | Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
September 25 | Psalm 23 | Enemies at the Table
October 2 | Genesis 18:1-15 | Laughter at the Table

I hope you will make an effort to attend each week as we deepen our relationship with Christ, who welcomes us to his table. 

Sunday also marks the kick-off for two other opportunities: 

–Kids Worship at 11:15 am in The Loft. This is an engaging worship opportunity for 3rd through 5th grade children. 
–Centennial Celebration Events – in 2025, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Peachtree Road Methodist Church. In honor of the upcoming celebration, commemorative items will be available for purchase. The first will be a beveled glass ornament etched with the image of our church’s steeple. You may order one for yourself or as a gift by dropping by the table in Grace Hall on Sunday. 

Our campus will be the site for a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, September 22. The drive is taking place in the Harp Student Center, and appointments are available between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. You can make your appointment here or contact Haley Gerlofs with the Red Cross if you have questions. Blood supplies are low in our community, and your help would be greatly appreciated. 

Finally, the Friends of Music here at Peachtree Road UMC invites you to this season’s signature concert on Sunday, September 18, in the sanctuary. The concert, featuring the acapella singing of Kinnara offering the ambitious, mystical, and incredibly moving music of “Path of Miracles,” will be offered at 7:00 pm. Our very own Associate Organist Dr. Oliver Brett will offer a pre-conference lecture on this music (upon which he wrote his doctoral thesis) beginning at 6:30 pm. We hope you will join us.  I am grateful for your faithfulness in so many ways to the ministry of Peachtree Road. We are set for a wonderful fall season, and I hope you will find your place with us! 

Grace and peace, 

Bill