March 7, 2025

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. On Wednesday, we began our forty-day journey known as the season of Lent in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Throughout the centuries, Christians have used these days as a time of spiritual reflection, letting go of some of the things that distract them from following Christ, and intentionally adding some new “holy habits” to their lives. Traditionally, these have included prayer, fasting, study, and service to others. I hope you will consider this as your invitation to observe a holy Lent.

Our theme for the season is “The Way of Salvation.” During these 40 days, we will work our way through Paul’s letter to the church in Rome and rediscover some of the basics of our faith: salvation, sin, judgment, grace, justification by faith, assurance, and sanctification. Each week we will explore a different aspect of Paul’s teaching:

March 9Romans 1:8-17Not Ashamed of the Gospel
March 16 Romans 3:21-27The Line Between Good and Evil
March 23Romans 6:1-14Christ Has Set You Free
March 30Romans 8:31-39If God Is for Us…
April 6Romans 12:1-8The Content of Our Character
April 13Romans 14:1-12Who Am I to Judge Another?

We begin our journey this Sunday with a message entitled “Not Ashamed of the Gospel.” In preparation I encourage you to read the first chapter of Romans and especially consider the 16th verse:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

We will be singing two very familiar hymns (“Life High the Cross” and “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”), and the Chancel Choir will offer an arrangement by Louis Vierne of the ancient “Kyrie” as its anthem. I hope you will make every effort to be present at one of our morning services or join us online.

Four disciplines to consider to help you observe a holy Lent:

  • The Wesley Fast – fasting may be our most misunderstood and neglected spiritual discipline. However, as John Wesley taught, when properly understood and practiced, fasting can become one of the most helpful disciplines available to us. Please click here for an explanation and the seven guidelines for observing the Wesley Fast. I invite you to join me in this spiritual discipline in the coming forty days.
  • Studying the book of Romans – as a congregation, we will be reading and studying Paul’s letter to the church in Rome this spring. Each morning, we will email you the suggested reading for the day along with a prayer. In addition, we will be offering a clergy-led study of Romans on Wednesday evenings, and I will be preaching from Romans each Sunday during Lent under the theme “The Way of Salvation.” You may be wondering, “Why Romans?” Scholars believe it is the highest expression of Paul’s theology which was formational for the early church. We will do well to read and study this letter and allow it to inform our faith journey.
  • Midweek Worship – in keeping with our ongoing celebration of our centennial, I have invited former associate ministers to preach at the midweek worship service at noon in the Moore Chapel on Wednesdays during Lent. The lineup will feature some of your favorite United Methodist pastors:
March 12– Betsy Lunz
March 19 – Phil Schroeder
March 26 – Beth Sanders		April 2 – Thomas Martin
April 9 – Carolyn Stephens

Please join us each Wednesday at noon during Lent for worship and the luncheon in Grace Hall afterward.

  • Season of Service – each year, during the season of Lent, we are pleased to offer meaningful opportunities for persons of all ages and abilities to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others. Just like the ripples on a pond created when a stone hits the water, your service will have a far-reaching impact on our community when we come together through a Season of Service. Join us once again to help others as the body of Christ in a renewed and relevant way. For more information, please click here. 

Are you new to Peachtree Road UMC and looking for ways to connect? Here are two opportunities to help you navigate this large church and find new connections:

  • Explore Membership in Peachtree Road UMC – Sunday, March 23, at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite. At this month’s “Tea with the Clergy” luncheon, you will have the opportunity to meet with several members of our clergy staff, hear about the ministry of this great church, ask questions, and even have an opportunity to join at the end of the session. Please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron (brittanyc@prumc.org) for more information or to sign up.
  • Take a Tour of Peachtree Road’s Facilities – Sunday, March 30, at 10:00 am. Meet Brittany Charron in Heritage Hall for a tour of the campus and a brief overview of the church’s ministries and offerings. For more information, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org. 

Finally, I remind you this Sunday marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to set your manual clocks and watches forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday evening so you will be on time for Sunday School and worship on Sunday.  I hope to see you Sunday as we journey together through the season of Lent.

Grace and peace, 

Bill