August 23, 2024

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Let me begin this week’s note by thanking you for making last Sunday such a great day at Peachtree Road UMC. You showed up in great numbers as we celebrated “Heaven Sunday.” The music from the Chancel Choir, the congregation singing “When We All Get to Heaven,” and the fellowship luncheon that followed in Grace Hall made the day feel a bit like a family reunion. I am grateful to all who worked behind the scenes to make the day possible and to you for your presence. It was so good to see you in worship!

On Sunday, we will bring our series on Methodist beliefs to a close with a message entitled “The Necessity of Union Among Ourselves.” When the church was established in America in 1784, Bishop Francis Asbury insisted that a paragraph entitled “The Necessity of Union Among Ourselves” be included in the original Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paragraph began with these words:

“Let us be deeply sensible (from what we have known) of the evil of a division in principle, spirit, or practice, and the dreadful consequences to ourselves and others. If we are united, what can stand before us? If we divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work of God, and the souls of our people.”

Asbury was deeply concerned about the damage that divisions within the church could do to the people called Methodists and their witness on behalf of Christ to others. We know all too well that he had cause for concern. This Sunday, I want us to spend a few minutes thinking about what it means to have a spirit of unity in the church. I’ll give you a hint – it doesn’t mean that we all think alike or agree on every subject! 

We will be singing two great hymns of the church (“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” and “Marching to Zion”), and the Chancel Choir will sing Malcolm Boyle’s arrangement of “Thou, O God, Art Praised in Sion” as its anthem. I hope you will join us at one of our services at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am or online.

In addition to worship, please note the following opportunities on Sunday:

  • Children’s Ministries Promotion Sunday – children from nursery age through the 5th grade will move to their new classrooms and meet their teachers this Sunday in the Children’s Building.
  • Confirmation Class Parents Meeting – parents of members of this year’s 6thgrade confirmation class are invited to an information session this Sunday at 9:00 am in the Student Center.
  • Youth Parents Open House – all families with 6th through 12th grade youth are invited to the Student Center for an Open House at 10:00 am.

In addition, registration for our Adult Bible Studies is underway. You may register now for our fall adult study offerings which include Sunday School, Disciple Bible Study, women’s studies, men’s studies, and other short-term classes throughout the week. We encourage you to come grow with us this season. Please check our website for offerings and times.

Two more quick notes:

  • Choir Registration – do you love to sing? We offer a fully graded choir program for people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, and registration for all choirs is now open. Don’t miss this chance to meet new friends through music at Peachtree Road UMC. You may get more information and register here.
  • Ushers Wanted – we have a dedicated group of men and women who serve the church’s ministry of hospitality by ushering at our morning worship services. As we prepare for the fall season, we are looking for others to join our teams. Are you interested in serving as an usher (welcoming worshipers, handing out bulletins, assisting others in finding a seat, receiving the morning offering, and helping prepare the sanctuary for the next service) once a month? We would love to hear from you. Please contact Rev. Josh Miles (joshm@prumc.org) for more information or to sign up.

Finally, are you interested in learning more about Peachtree Road UMC and possibly becoming a member? If so, I would like to invite you to “Tea with the Clergy” this Sunday, August 25 at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite. We would love to meet you, share a little about the ministry of Peachtree Road UMC, and possibly help you become a member of this great church. Please contact Brittany Charron (brittanyc@prumc.org) for more information or to sign up. 

Thank you for your support of the ministry of Peachtree Road UMC through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Grace and peace, 

Bill