April 7, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Let me begin this week’s note by thanking all who participated in last week’s Palm Sunday celebration at Peachtree Road UMC. Our sanctuary was filled with worshipers; the ushers gave out all of the worship bulletins; and we even ran out of food at the luncheon in Grace Hall. You exceeded all our expectations! Thank you! The energy you brought to the church made it a Palm Sunday to remember. We now are set up for an exciting Easter celebration.

Today’s Opportunities:

  • Good Friday Prayer Walk – our associate ministers Elizabeth Byrd and Josh Miles are prepared to lead a prayer walk around our campus this morning from 7:30 am – 8:30 am. You are invited to join them for this meaningful start to Good Friday. Please meet them on the front steps of the church (rain or shine).
  • Community Good Friday Service – the service will be held today in our sanctuary at noon. We will worship with members from the Cathedral of Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, New Hope African Methodist Episcopal, Peachtree Presbyterian, Second Ponce de Leon Baptist, and Wieuca Road Baptist in this service. Rev. David Richards, Senior Pastor of New Hope AME, will be the preacher for the service, and I invite you to join us for this particularly meaningful time of worship as we reflect upon Christ’s death on the cross.

On Easter Sunday we will gather to celebrate the Resurrection – God’s decisive act in our lives that conquers sin and death. We need the message of Easter hope in the midst of the uncertainty of these days. The service will feature a joyous procession as we sing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” stirring anthems by the Chancel Choir Staff Singers accompanied by the Atlanta Brassworks and the grand organ, and the singing of “The Hallelujah Chorus” to close the service. We will offer four services on Sunday:

  • Sunrise Service – 6:30 am beginning in the Columbarium 
  • Easter Festival Worship – 8:15 am, 9:45 am, and 11:15 am in the Sanctuary 

Several Notes to Remember:

  • Complimentary Continental Breakfast – after the Sunrise Service, breakfast will be offered in Grace Hall for worshipers from 7:00 am until 8:15 am. 
  • Online Worship – if you are unable to attend one of our Easter services in person, I certainly hope you will join members of your church family at Peachtree Road online here. All services will be broadcast live.

Two Opportunities to Give:

  • Easter Cross of Flower Cuttings – covering the cross in front of the church with flowers is an Easter tradition that is enjoyed by our whole community. It is a stunning symbol of the Resurrection that testifies to our faith in Christ. This year we are asking you to participate by bringing your fresh-cut flowers, greenery, and flowering branches to the front of the church on Saturday, April 8, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Drive up in front of the church (on Peachtree), and volunteers will receive your cuttings. Thank you for your participation in this Easter tradition!
  • The Lenten Offering – in recent years, we have been designating the Lenten Offering to provide financial support for some of our ministry partners here in the Greater Atlanta community. Your gift will help a child to have food to eat; a veteran struggling with addiction to find hope and help; a single dad trying to raise his family to have a place to call home; and a single woman to receive a job and life skills that will restore her self-esteem. I challenge each of you to give a gift of $100 or more to the offering. Please join us in supporting our vision of a better Atlanta. You may make your check payable to Peachtree Road UMC and mark it for the “Lenten Offering,” and mail it to the church office or give online through the church app or the website here. Thank you for your generous support. Together, we are changing lives! 

Finally, please consider inviting others to worship with you this Sunday. Recent surveys of Americans have found that the uncertainty of our time has left people searching for something to anchor their lives. They are looking for a reminder that “the worst thing is never the last thing.” They need the inspiration of Easter. Think about someone who might need to hear that good news and encourage them to worship with you at Peachtree Road UMC.

Thank you for all you are doing. Thank you for your participation in worship, your fervent and regular prayers on behalf of others, your compassionate service and acts of kindness to strangers, and your generous sharing of your resources in the name of Christ. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we celebrate together the Resurrection.

Grace and peace, 

Bill