May 31, 2024

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Are you planning to attend the church’s birthday party on Sunday? In case you haven’t heard, we are celebrating the 99th anniversary of the founding of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church this Sunday, June 2. It will be a festive day!

  • The Centennial Banner will be on display this Sunday and will be a part of the opening procession of each service. We are grateful for this beautiful addition to our worship spaces in commemoration of our 100 years of ministry in the heart of Buckhead. 
  • Join us for a Birthday Luncheon in Grace Hall catered by The Varsity. “What’ll ya have?” The menu will feature hotdogs, chilidogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, onion rings, French fries, Frosted Oranges, Coca-Colas, and birthday cupcakes. After worship, make your way to a table and write down your order. Your order will be filled by one of our volunteers. While you wait, enjoy the photo booth, balloon artist, face painting, slide show of our history, mementos, and fun facts and trivia about Peachtree Road UMC. We will be serving from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org. 
  • The Centennial Committee will offer commemorative items for purchase during the luncheon in Grace Hall. You may choose from beveled glass pieces etched with the architecture of our church, and notecard sets featuring embossments of notable Peachtree Road UMC emblems. These items will also be available at the Dogwood Gift Shop. 

During the services on Sunday, I will be preaching a message entitled “99 Years and Counting!” We will take time to remember – remember our history, remember who we are, and remember our calling from God. In preparation for the message, I encourage you to read the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land found in Joshua 4:1-7. We will be singing two great hymns of the church (“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “Standing on the Promises”), and the Chancel Choir will sing an anthem based on Psalm 84 entitled “O How Amiable.” In addition, the response to the morning prayer will be one that was written by former Senior Minister Tom Whiting and arranged by former Director of Music John Dressler for the church’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1974. I hope you can join us for one of our services this Sunday (8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am) or online through the church website here. 

Special Sundays in June

  • Honoring Julie Wright (June 9) – our associate minister Julie Wright will be retiring after 10 years as our director of senior adult ministries. Her last Sunday with us will be June 9, and we will honor her in the worship services on that day. A reception will follow the 11:15 am service in Grace Hall, and I hope you will join us as we express our appreciation to Julie. 
  • Father’s Day (June 16) – as we have done in recent years, we will recognize the oldest father present and the newest father present at each service. I have been thinking about the “good men” (my dad, pastors, coaches, and teachers) who have been influential in my life. Join us for worship as we remember and give thanks.
  • Celebration of Freedom (June 23) – as is our tradition, we will sing patriotic hymns, honor our veterans, pray for our nation and world, and give thanks for God’s many blessings. The service will close with the prayerful singing of “God Bless America.” To cap off the morning’s celebration, we will join together for a fellowship luncheon featuring fried chicken and all the fixings in Grace Hall. This is a Sunday you will not want to miss!

Have you ever considered being a part of the choir for Celebration of Freedom Sunday? Then consider this note as your invitation to don a robe and join the Chancel Choir on Sunday, June 23 to sing some of our favorite patriotic hymns from the choir loft. It is a great opportunity to raise your voice in praise to God and be a part of the joy of this day. There will be only one rehearsal (Thursday, June 20) – come early for refreshments at 6:30 pm and rehearse from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the Music Suite. If you have questions or would like to sing in the chorus, contact Ruth Sommerville at ruths@prumc.org. Come join our family of singers and lovers of music!

Vacation Bible School is right around the corner! All children between the ages of 4 (as of 9/1/24) and 5th grade are invited to sign up for “Camp Firelight!” June 17-20. Children will have an opportunity to explore timeless Bible stories showing how Old and New Testament “campers” accomplished great things by trusting God. You may register your child here for this exciting week of study and fun.

Finally, are you interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? We will offer a special joining day on Sunday, June 23, at the morning worship services. If you think you may be ready to make this church your home, please reach out to Brittany Charron (brittanyc@prumc.org) for more information. 

I look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday!

Grace and peace,

Bill