August 16, 2024

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. I want to begin this week’s letter by inviting you to our End of Summer Celebration this Sunday morning. It begins with worship as we continue our series on Methodist beliefs with a message entitled “Heaven Now…and Later.” Every week, when we affirm our faith by reciting the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm: “…I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” Have you ever wondered what it means to believe in the “life everlasting?” Is that the same as heaven? Is life everlasting the same thing as eternal life? We’ll wrestle with questions like those on Sunday. 

The service promises to be inspiring as we sing hymns about heaven, pray about heaven, and reflect upon what our faith teaches us. We will come into the sanctuary to “Sing with All the Saints in Glory” and close the service by singing “When We All Get to Heaven.” In addition, the Chancel Choir will sing the spiritual “City Called Heaven.” I hope you will make a special effort to join us at one of our services at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am, or online here.

I also hope you will be a part of our Summer Send-off Fellowship Luncheon this Sunday in Grace Hall from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Our menu will feature BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, pasta salad, watermelon, and cupcakes. Come join us for a delicious meal and fun fellowship with your friends from Peachtree Road UMC as we say goodbye to summer and prepare for the fall schedule. The meal is complimentary.

Last Sunday, we received a special offering for the Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers. Thank you to all who generously gave. If you did not have an opportunity to offer a gift, it is not too late to support this transformative ministry for children who have few alternatives in life. Please make your check payable to Peachtree Road UMC and mark it for “Murphy-Harpst” or give online.

With the return of school, we are gearing up for the fall with several opportunities for you:

  • Join a Choir – music is an integral part of the life of Peachtree Road UMC, and this fall marks an especially exciting time as we prepare for the celebration of our centennial. Make your plans to be a part of a choir today! You may join the Chancel Choir right now or register here for the Children’s and Youth Choirs starting in September.
  • Fall Bible Study –as we seek to grow together in God’s grace, we find that studying the scriptures and reflecting upon them with others nurtures our faith, deepens our theological understanding, and fosters community. No matter how much or how little you already know of the Bible, spending time studying God’s word can be transformative. We are excited to offer a dynamic new season of Bible studies featuring rock-solid foundations such as Disciple Bible Study, as well as fresh new offerings from clergy and lay leaders that will challenge and encourage you! Complete class details are online, and registration is now open. Sign up for a study and join us this fall to gain a deeper understanding of God at work in us all.
  • Family Day at Metro Reentry Center – Jesus once remarked to his disciples, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Have you ever wanted to apply those words to your life? We are looking for 100 volunteers from Peachtree Road UMC to join us on Saturday, September 21, as we help reunite incarcerated men with their families for a day of fun. These men are non-violent offenders who have less than 24 months to serve. We are creating a carnival atmosphere and serving lunch to 1000 participants. This will be a meaningful and rewarding outreach opportunity. Sign up here. For more information, contact Beth Spencer at beths@prumc.org.

 Finally, let me suggest two opportunities for those looking to become better connected at Peachtree Road UMC:

  • Tour the church campus this Sunday, August 18, 10:00 am, Grace Hall. Whether you are new or still trying to find your way around, please join us for a tour of the campus and a brief overview of the ministries and offerings at Peachtree Road. For more information, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org.
  • Tea with the Clergy next Sunday, August 25, 12:30 – 2:00 pm, Hospitality Suite. Get to know our church and ministers better at this casual afternoon gathering. Our clergy will answer questions, share their vision, and help you connect to areas of interest within the church. After conversation wraps up, those who wish to take the next step in membership may join in a brief service. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org.

I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday!

Grace and peace, 

Bill