March 10, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. We have reached the midpoint of our 40 days of fasting and prayer during the Lenten season, and I really am looking forward to worshiping with you Sunday. We are continuing our series entitled “The Sound of Silence” with this week’s message: “Be Thou My Vision.” No doubt you know the Irish hymn written in the 8th century by that name:

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art

Thou my best thought, by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

This hymn is a haunting prayer expressing a deep yearning for God to enter our hearts and to become that which we desire most in life. These words are inspired by Jeremiah 9:23-24, and we will be talking on Sunday about how God’s steadfast love, justice, and righteousness sustain us. I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday at one of our services: 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am. If you are unable to make it in person, please join us online for a livestream service at www.prumc.org.

Are you participating with us in this season of fasting and praying? Today is the day we have set aside to fast (from sundown Thursday until after 3:00 pm this afternoon) and pray (an online prayer meeting occurs each Friday morning during Lent from 7:30 – 7:45 am, Zoom 839 784 08295, and the Moore Chapel is open each Friday from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm for prayer). I hope you are able to make some space in your life in these days to quiet your soul, calm your spirit, and experience God in the silence.

During this holy season of Lent, we as a congregation are engaging in seeking to make a difference in our community in a couple of important ways:

  • Season of Service – a great way to serve others and make an impact in our community. I hope you will join us in this year’s emphasis under the title “Together We Serve.” You may find a list of projects and sign up here. Pick one and join your fellow members of Peachtree Road UMC in being the hands and feet of Christ.
  • Lenten Offering – once again this year our special giving during the season of Lent will be used to support the agencies and ministries in the Greater Atlanta area with whom we partner. As you give up a couple of meals each week, consider giving the money you are saving to this offering. If each of us gave just $20 a week or $120 for the season, it would make a tremendous impact upon the lives of others. Please give to this offering here

Two programming notes for next week:

  • Disney Review – our talented Doxology Youth Choir will present a “Disney Review” on Saturday, March 18, at 6:00 pm in the Harp Student Center that promises to be fun for all ages! They will be dressed in full costume, and you are invited to bring your children at 5:30 pm for a pre-show picture party. The music will include solos, duets, quartets, and full chorus performances in celebration of the choir’s upcoming summer tour to Sarasota and Disney World. This event is free and open to all. Come early to get keepsake photos with the Disney characters! You will hear some of your favorites from Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, Frozen, Aladdin, Snow White, Tangled, and The Little Mermaid.
  • Churchwide Fellowship Luncheon – on Sunday, March 19, please join us for a fellowship luncheon in Grace Hall as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The menu will feature brisket, parsley potatoes, green beans, and rolls, and you are encouraged to wear green as we welcome springtime at Peachtree Road UMC.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? Then join us for “Tea with the Clergy” on Sunday, March 26, at 12:30 pm. This will be an opportunity for you to meet our ministerial staff, hear about the history and ministry of the church, ask questions, and discover where you fit into the ministry of this great church. We already have nearly 30 persons signed up for this month’s gathering. If you would like to learn more about the steps in becoming a member, please contact Rev. Elizabeth Byrd at elizabethb@prumc.org.  

Finally, I remind you this Sunday marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to set your manual clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday evening so you will be on time for Sunday School and worship on Sunday.

Thank you for your prayerful support of the ministry of this great church. I hope to see you on Sunday in worship.

Grace and peace,

Bill