May 19, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Last Sunday was a great day at Peachtree Road UMC as we celebrated Mother’s Day. It warmed my heart to see so many families worshiping together as we paused to give thanks to God for those in our lives who have loved us and nurtured our faith.

As a part of our worship service last week, we received a special offering for Wesley Woods, a ministry started by Methodists in the North Georgia Conference to provide for the needs of elderly persons who have outlived their financial resources. Wesley Woods communities offer residential services as well as health care, rehabilitation, nursing home care, and specialized care for those suffering with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Many of you gave a gift in honor or memory of your mother last week, and I am grateful for you. If you were not able to give last week, I want you to know that it is not too late. The most convenient way to give is through the church app or website. Please know that your gift of $100 or more could make all the difference in the world for some of our elderly residents of Wesley Woods. Thank you for your generosity.

I am looking forward to Sunday as we remember Jesus’ Ascension. The message for this Sunday is entitled “Clothed in Power.” In preparation for worship, I encourage you to read Luke 24 and consider these words:

“…I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” – Luke 24:49

We will spend a few minutes thinking about what it means to be “clothed with power from on high.” We also will sing some great hymns of the church (“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” and “My Hope Is Built”) and hear our Chancel Choir’s jubilant offering of Gerald Finzi’s Ascension Day anthem “God Is Gone Up” (which takes its lyrics from Edward Taylor’s poem entitled “Meditation Twenty” and Psalm 47). It will be a wonderful service, and I hope you will make your plans to join us in person (8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am) or online through the church website: www.prumc.org.

 Two musical opportunities to enjoy at Peachtree Road UMC:

  • Midday Music in May – join us for the last of our midweek concerts this Wednesday, May 24, at 1:00 pm. These 30-minute organ recitals have featured the best of Atlanta’s organists and are planned in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of The Great Organ of Peachtree Road UMC. There is no charge and all are welcome. 
  • Join the Choir for Freedom Sunday – an invitation is extended to you to join the Chancel Choir on Sunday, June 25 to sing some of our favorite patriotic hymns from the choir loft. It is a great opportunity to raise your voice in praise to God and be a part of the joy of this day. There will be one rehearsal for this service (Wednesday, June 21 – come early for refreshments at 6:30 pm with the rehearsal from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.) If you have questions or would like to sing in the chorus, contact Ruth Sommerville at 404.240.8212 or ruths@prumc.org. Come join our family of singers and lovers of music!

You are invited to participate in the Anniston Civil Rights Trail experience on August 26. This is a joint venture being sponsored by Cascade UMC and Peachtree Road UMC. Members of our two churches will travel together on Saturday, August 26, to Anniston, Alabama to commemorate the events of the American Civil Rights Movement and receive an introduction to the cultural changes that have transformed Anniston into the city it is today. Participants will leave Atlanta at 10:00 am, travel together via charter bus, eat lunch together, learn together, and return by 5:00 pm. The cost is $20/per person, and you may register here: www.prumc.org

Finally, are you interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? Please join us this Sunday, May 21, at 12:30 pm for lunch and “Tea with the Clergy.” You will have an opportunity to meet our ministerial staff, learn about the history and programs of the church, ask questions, and discover where you fit into the ministry of this great church. We already have a number of folks signed up for this month’s gathering. If you would like to take the next step in your growth as a Christian and become a member of Peachtree Road UMC, please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron at BrittanyC@prumc.org.

Earlier this week someone asked me what he could do to support the church. I told him that prayer is the first and best thing he could do. I would also add to that faithful presence in worship, generous gifts that support our mission, compassionate service to others, and enthusiastic witness to the transforming power of Christ. Thank you for all you do.

Grace and peace,

Bill