November 4, 2022

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. I really am looking forward to Sunday as we begin a new series of messages here at Peachtree Road UMC entitled “We Are Grateful.” This series is designed to instill in us a spirit of gratitude:

November 6 | Romans 16:1-16 | …for All the Saints

November 13 | Matthew 9:35-38 | …for the Church

November 20 | Psalms 107:1-3 | …for All Our Blessings

We begin this Sunday with our celebration of All Saints Sunday. Years ago, my homiletics professor Dr. Fred Craddock preached a sermon entitled “When the Roll Is Called Down Here.” His sermon is the inspiration for Sunday’s message as we give thanks for our saints. We will call the names of members of our church who have preceded us into death, light a candle in their memory, and ring the church bell. Following the reading of the names, Tom Crawford will play “Going Home” and “Amazing Grace!” on the bagpipes. Here is a link to the list of those we will remember.

At the close of this week’s services, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and, for the first time in over 30 months, you will have the opportunity to approach the altar and receive the Sacrament. That will make this Sunday extra special. You also will have an opportunity to remember your saints by writing their names on a card found in your pew and bringing it to the altar. Know this: when we partake of the bread and wine, we celebrate our connection with all the saints through Jesus Christ. If you are unable to join us in person, I encourage you to worship online through the church website.

You also are invited to Sunday evening’s Choral Evensong for the Feast of All Saints. Both the music and text will help you remember our saints on this day. Please join us in the sanctuary at 5:00 pm for this beautiful service. 

Our “Greater Than” stewardship campaign has gotten off to an excellent start. Through two Sundays, we already have received over 500 commitments to the 2023 operating budget, and this is way ahead of last year’s pace. Thank you! If you have not yet turned in your card, we would love to hear from you this week. If you are in a Sunday School class, your commitment will be counted to the tabulation of the Parson’s Cup. This award goes to the Sunday School Class with the highest percentage of commitments to next year’s church budget. The competition will run through the end of the year and will be awarded in early January. For your convenience, you may pledge through the church app or online here.

 Opportunities for Fellowship and Outreach:

  • Cascade Thanksgiving Giveaway – once again, we are teaming up with Cascade UMC on their annual Thanksgiving project to provide food for over 1400 low-income families. Cascade has been feeding those in need for over 20 years, and through our partnership with this great church, we have an opportunity to work side-by-side together. If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful holiday project, please contact Beth Spencer (beths@prumc.org).
  • Christmas Kindness – registration is open for Harp’s Christmas Kindness. Volunteer for this beloved tradition providing Christmas gifts to the community in a dignified and festive manner. Our clients are surrounded by the care of loving volunteers who help them select and wrap their gifts. This Christmas outreach event will take place December 2-7. You may sign up online here.
  • Jingle Jam – get into the Christmas spirit early by participating in our reimagined Advent Workshop on Sunday, November 20, 4:00 – 7:30 pm, in Grace Hall and the Green Parking Lot. This free family event includes Christmas crafts, pizza dinner, and an outdoor screening of the movie Jingle Jangle with popcorn, cookies, and hot chocolate. No registration is necessary, just come and join the fun! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to watch the movie.

Have you voted yet? John Wesley recorded in his journal his counsel to the early Methodists: “Vote for the person they judged most worthy; to speak no evil of the person they voted against; and to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” Nearly 250 years later, those are still pretty good words to live by! Peachtree Road UMC will be a polling site, and I strongly encourage you to vote on Tuesday, November 8!

The Centennial Committee is preparing for the church’s 100th anniversary in 2025 and has commemorative ornaments for sale. To see these lovely ornaments or order one, please click here.

Are you interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? — please join us this Sunday, November 6, at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite for “Tea with the Clergy.” At this luncheon meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet with several members of our clergy staff, hear about the ministry of this great church, ask questions, and even have an opportunity to join at the end of the session. Please contact Elizabeth Byrd (elizabethb@prumc.org) for more information or to sign up. 

Finally, I remind you that this Sunday marks the return of Eastern Standard Time. Please set your clocks back one hour Saturday night so you will arrive on time Sunday for a day of worship and remembrance.  

I’ll see you Sunday as we gather in a spirit of thanksgiving here at Peachtree Road UMC!

Bill