New Members are welcomed into the congregation during our Sunday
morning worship services, either at 8:45 or 11:15 am.  Between 9:45 and
11:00 am you are invited to a New Member Reception, where you will meet
staff members, ask any questions you may have about the church, and
choose literature on small groups and special events here.

Our new members come from a variety of backgrounds, so you may be...
    * Transfering your membership from another Methodist church.
    * Transfering from another denomination.
    * Joining the church for the first time on Confession of Faith. 
If joining on Confession of Faith and you have never been baptized,
you may do so in a private ceremony in the Chapel or during the worship
service.

Welcome

Welcome Packet
Several days before joining the church, you will receive a welcome packet. 
This packet highlights information on prayers, presence, gifts and service -
the four areas you are promising to support when you join Peachtree Road.


Shepherds
You will be given a shepherd, a member of the congregation, who will help
welcome you into Peachtree Road.  This person is available to help you find
a small group and introduce you to other members of the congregation.
Shepherds are present during the worship service when new members join.


The Worship Service
We will issue the invitation to join at the end of the worship service. 
You will join the minister at the altar and receive the vows of membership. 
At the end of the service the congregation will have an opportunity to
welcome you.


New Member Reception
A thirty minute reception is held for all ew members in the Hospitality Suite. 
The purpose of this reception is to discuss he many ways each new member
can make Peachtree Road a church home.  If you are joining at the 8:45 am
service, the reception is held immediately after the service.  For those joining
at the 11:15 am service, the reception is held from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.

Joining

Are you currently a member of another United Methodist Church
or another denomination?
If so, you will be transferring your membership to Peachtree Road.  When
we receive the name and address of your previous church, our Church Office
will request a transfer to our congregation.  The United Methodist Church
honors baptisms from all denominations, so new members will not be baptized
again.

Are you joining a church for the first time and have already been baptized?
You will join on Confession of Faith.

Are you joining a church or the first time and have never been baptized?
You will first be baptized as part of the worship service or in a private ceremony
in the Chapel.  You will then join on Confession of Faith during the worship service.

Vows of Membership

For all new members transferring from other churches or joining
on Confession of Faith:

Minister    Are you striving to love the Lord your God with all your mind,
with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength?  Are you
striving to love your neighbor as yourself ?
Response    I am.

Minister    And do you desire to serve Christ through Peachtree Road
United Methodist Church?
Response    I do.


For those joining on Confession of Faith only:

Minister    On behalf of the whole church, we ask you: 
Do you truly and earnestly repent of your sins?
Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Do you receive the Holy Spirit, the giver and sustainer of life?
Do you profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments?
Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to keep God’s holy will
and Commandments,
and to walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of
Christ’s holy church?
Response  I do.

Then the person shall kneel, and the Minister, laying hands upon the
head of each candidate shall say:  The Lord defend you with His heavenly
grace and by His Spirit confirm you in the faith and fellowship of all true
disciples of Jesus Christ.
Response    Amen.