April 4, 2025

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. I also hope you caught the excitement present in worship last Sunday. At the 11:15 am service, we welcomed children and their families from The Preschool at Peachtree Road UMC to our sanctuary. The children sang several songs (including a rousing rendition of “Amazing Love”) and shared a Bible verse that they have learned with us. I am so grateful for the teachers and leaders of our church’s preschool, and I hope you enjoyed having them in worship with us. We are richly blessed here at Peachtree Road UMC.

Speaking of being blessed, I really am looking forward to Sunday as we celebrate Baby Day at the 11:15 am service. Children who were born in the last year (March 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025) will be honored, and a prayer of blessing will be offered on behalf of them and their families. It is a wonderful day in the life of our church as we celebrate the gift of our children and young families, who are a special part of our faith community.

I also look forward to the next part of our Lenten Journey as we continue to consider “The Way of Salvation” outlined in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Last week we reflected upon Paul’s reminder that even though life is filled with hardships and challenges, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We will build upon that affirmation as we consider the content of the character of a Christian. In preparation, please read Romans 12:1-8 and reflect upon what it means to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

The hymns will be very familiar (“All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine” and “My Hope Is Built”), and the Chancel Choir will offer Rene Clausen’s arrangement of “Set Me as a Seal” as its anthem. Sunday promises to be a great day to be with your friends in worship at Peachtree Road at one of our three services: 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am. If you are unable to attend in person, please worship via the live stream at www.prumc.org.

This past Wednesday was a special day as we welcomed back Dr. Thomas Martin as our preacher at the midweek noon service in the Moore Chapel. Throughout Lent, we have celebrated our centennial by welcoming former associate ministers to preach. Each has brought with them fond memories of their time spent at Peachtree Road and an inspirational message for us to consider. It has been a good way to celebrate this centennial year of our church. Next Wednesday we will have the opportunity to hear Carolyn Stephens once again. You may have seen the announcement earlier this year that Carolyn will join the Bishop’s cabinet this summer and serve as the district superintendent of the North West District. Please join us on Wednesday at noon for worship, and plan to stay for lunch immediately following in Grace Hall. It’s a great way to spend your lunch hour on Wednesdays.

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. You may find a list of projects and sign up here. Pick one and join your fellow members of Peachtree Road in being the hands and feet of Christ.
  • Lenten Offering – once again this year, our special giving during the season of Lent will 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 gives just $20 a week or $120 for the season, it would make a tremendous impact upon the lives of others. Please give through the church website here.

Finally, last week the ministerial appointments for the coming year in the North Georgia Conference were announced, and I am pleased to announce that all of our church’s appointed ministers are set to return for another year. Elizabeth Byrd, Daniel Ogle, Geoff Beakley, Josh Miles, Leslie Watkins, Emily Miles, Karen Webster Parks, and I look forward to serving with you. It is an honor to be looking forward to my 18th year as your senior minister, and we all are grateful for your support. Please pray for us as we remember you in our prayers.

Grace and peace, 

Bill