I want to begin this week’s note with the announcement that Ron Greer’s new book is now available! Most of you know that Ron is the director of the Pastoral Counseling Services at Peachtree Road UMC, and he is the author of five books: The Path of Compassion, Now That They Are Grown, Markings on the Windowsill, If You Know Who You Are, You’ll Know What to Do, and his latest The Quiet House: Reflections on the Loss of a Spouse. In this helpful book, Ron offers an elegant series of personal reflections that can lead to healing even as we tend to our memories of loved ones. Ron will be offering a special forum on grief this fall, and the book will be available soon in the Dogwood Shop. Please keep your eye out for this helpful resource.
Continue readingOur Compass, Our True North
Wendie and I have returned from a stay at the beach where we enjoyed being with our extended family, spent time resting and relaxing in the sun, and made plans for the coming busy fall season. I really am looking forward to being with you on Sunday for worship. We are set to begin a new series on Methodist beliefs during the month of August that is designed to help us remember some of the basics of our faith:
Continue readingSunday Service and Mission Opportunities
Sunday promises to be a good day in worship here at Peachtree Road UMC as we conclude our “Summer in the City” services. Our theme for the month of July is “At the Movies,” and each week we are considering the biblical themes found in some of our favorite family films. We already have reflected upon The Princess Bride, ET: The Extraterrestrial, and The Little Mermaid. If you missed any of those messages, you may watch them on our website.
Continue readingFaith, Family, Music, and Missions
Sunday promises to be another good day in worship here at Peachtree Road as we continue our “Summer in the City” services. Our theme for the month of July is “At the Movies,” and each week we are considering the biblical themes found in some of our favorite family films. We already have reflected upon The Princess Bride and ET: The Extraterrestrial.
This week’s message invites us to consider the biblical lessons found in the movie “The Little Mermaid.” Our associate minister Elizabeth Byrd will be preaching. Certainly, the music promises to be familiar and uplifting. Our congregational hymns will be ones you know and love:
By Grace We are Transformed
Our “Summer in the City” series entitled “At the Movies” got off to a fun start last week as we considered the movie “The Princess Bride.” Over the years I have seen it dozens of times, but I must confess there is one line in the movie that I really hadn’t given much thought to until last week. It is a line spoken by the character Inigo Montoya:
“You know, it’s strange. I have been in the revenge business so long, now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do with the rest of my life.”
Continue readingSummer in the City
I know it’s the summer and many of you are spending time away from the city on weekends, but I hope you will plan to worship with us each week either in person or online during the month of July as we celebrate Summer in the City. We intentionally have planned for these services to be less formal with inspirational special music and familiar hymns. In fact the three hymns we are singing Sunday are three of my favorites from the old Cokesbury Hymnal we used in my youth:
Continue readingCelebrations and Connection
I hope you are well. Let me begin by thanking all who helped make Freedom Sunday a grand celebration. It was wonderful to see so many folks in church as we sang patriotic hymns, honored our veterans, and prayed for our nation. The music was especially moving as we welcomed a number of new persons to the volunteer choir, and I noticed more than a few tears as Timothy Miller led us in singing “God Bless America.” The fried chicken served at the luncheon following the service was delicious, and the fellowship at the tables made for a special day. Thank you to all who made the celebration possible.
Continue readingInspiration and Honor
I hope you are well. Let me begin this week’s note with a look back to last week’s Founder’s Day Celebration. It was a wonderful day as we remembered 98 years of ministry in this community and looked forward to staying true to our mission in the coming years. If you have not heard Ed Hamlin’s testimony from last Sunday, I hope you will take a few minutes to do so soon. He talked about how his faith has grown over time as he has become more connected with God and others here at Peachtree Road UMC – first, through his participation in Sunday School with the New Beginnings class, then as a teacher for third-graders, facilitator of Disciple Bible Study for adults, and, finally, as a participant in the church’s outreach in Kenya and the prison restoration ministry right here in Atlanta. You can hear Ed’s testimony here.
Continue readingOur Church – Vital and Vibrant
As we approach Father’s Day, like many of you, I have been thinking about my dad this week. He died over 17 years ago, and I miss him every day. I miss his witty sayings (“Bill, that is they business!” when he advised me not to judge another person) and his calm encouragement. Though he didn’t live to see his grandchildren marry and have children of their own, I sense that he is present with me every day. We call that the “communion of the saints.” I also have been thinking about other “good men” (former pastors, coaches, and teachers) who have been influential in my life. On Sunday, we take time to remember the “good men” in our lives and give thanks to God for their faith and the example they set for us.
Continue readingDiscovering, Connecting, Growing
I hope you are well. Let me begin this week’s note with a look back to last week’s Founder’s Day Celebration. It was a wonderful day as we remembered 98 years of ministry in this community and looked forward to staying true to our mission in the coming years. If you have not heard Ed Hamlin’s testimony from last Sunday, I hope you will take a few minutes to do so soon. He talked about how his faith has grown over time as he has become more connected with God and others here at Peachtree Road UMC – first, through his participation in Sunday School with the New Beginnings class, then as a teacher for third-graders, facilitator of Disciple Bible Study for adults, and, finally, as a participant in the church’s outreach in Kenya and the prison restoration ministry right here in Atlanta. You can hear Ed’s testimony here.
Continue reading