LENT
2025
PEACHTREE ROAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Lent, 2025
Dear Peachtree Road Family,
The season of Lent is upon us, and the observance of these forty days usually begins in the church with this invitation:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: the early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration, there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation… I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.
On Ash Wednesday, we heed this call to observe a Holy Lent by devoting ourselves for the next 40 days to prayer and fasting, worship, the study of scripture, and service toward others.
I especially want to commend to you the study of scripture this year. We will be reading and studying Paul’s letter to the church in Rome together 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.
In keeping with our ongoing celebration of our centennial, I have invited former associate ministers to preach at the midweek services at noon in the Moore Chapel on Wednesdays during Lent. The lineup will feature some of your favorite United Methodist pastors: Betsy Lunz, Phil Schroeder, Beth Sanders, Thomas Martin, and Carolyn Stephens. I hope you will join us each Wednesday at noon during Lent for worship and a luncheon afterward.
Finally, I remind you that Lent is our Season of Service. Peachtree Road UMC is a church that is generous in its outreach, and we have the opportunity to join with our partners in ministry throughout Atlanta to make a difference in the lives of others. In addition, we will be receiving a special offering to support the ongoing work of our partner agencies. Your generosity in giving will be appreciated.
This is an exciting time to be a part of Peachtree Road UMC. I encourage you to invest yourself the next 40 days in worship, study, and service so that this time will be transformational for you and others.
Grace and peace,
Bill
Worship
Romans: The Way of Salvation
Often regarded as the pinnacle of Paul’s theology, Romans lays the foundation for our understanding of grace, faith, and the transformative power of the gospel. In this Lenten series, we will reflect on what it truly means to live in the freedom Christ offers, and to embody the character of Christ in a world longing for hope.
Lenten Sermon Series: The Way of Salvation
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 12:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm
Sundays, March 9 – April 13, 8:45, 10:00 and 11:15 am
Holy Thursday, April 17, 7:00 pm
From the struggle with sin to the assurance of God’s unshakable love, Romans lays out the path of salvation with clarity and conviction. This series will challenge us to live faithfully, embrace the freedom Christ offers, and reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives. Join us as we deepen our understanding of God’s grace and what it means to walk in the way of salvation.
Mar 5 – Romans 1:1-7 | Called to Be Saints
Mar 9 – Romans 1:8-17 | Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Mar 16 – Romans 3:21-27 | The Line Between Good and Evil
Mar 23 – Romans 6:1-14 | Christ Has Set You Free
Mar 30 – Romans 8:31-39 | If God Is for Us…
Apr 6 – Romans 12:1-8 | The Content of Our Character
Apr 13 – Romans 14:1-12 | Who Am I to Judge Another?
Apr 17 – Romans 6:20-23 | The Free Will of God
Midweek Worship & Reunion: A Special Lenten Invitation
Wednesdays, March 12 – April 9, 12:00 pm, Moore Chapel
During Lent, familiar faces will return to share the Word each Wednesday, offering wisdom and inspiration in this holy season. Join us to see old friends, rekindle relationships, and celebrate the rich legacy of our church.
Mar 12 – Rev. Betsy Lunz
Mar 19 – Rev. Phil Schroeder
Mar 26 – Rev. Beth Sanders
Apr 2 – Rev. Thomas Martin
Apr 9 – Rev. Carolyn Stephens
Holy Week Midday Services
Weekdays, April 14 – April 17, 12:00 pm Worship, Moore Chapel
Each day of Holy Week PRUMC clergy will offer midday moments of reflection and devotion. Lunch will follow in Grace Hall.
Apr 14 – Rev. Darren Hensley
Apr 15 – Rev. Daniel Ogle
Apr 16 – Rev. Josh Miles
Apr 17 – Rev Elizabeth Byrd
Holy Thursday Choral Eucharist
Thursday, April 17, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
We commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ when the sacrament of Holy Communion was established. Rev. Geoff Beakley preaching. The PRUMC Chancel Choir and Chamber Singers present music from Handel’s Messiah.
Good Friday Community Service
Friday, April 18, 12:00 pm, Peachtree Church
3434 Roswell Road, Atlanta, 30305
On this solemn day, our community will recall the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.
Study
Churchwide: Romans
As we enter the Lenten season of reflection and spiritual growth, we invite you to deepen your faith and Biblical knowledge through study.
Churchwide Lenten Study: Romans – The Way of Salvation
Wednesdays, March 12 – April 16, 6:30 pm, Grace Hall
Written by the Apostle Paul, Romans explores themes of grace, faith, and transformation. It challenges us to examine our hearts, realign our lives to God’s purpose, and reflect on our relationship with God and one another. Our hope is that together, we deepen our faith, strengthen our community, and live fully into the vision God has for us all. The teaching portion of this study will be held in person and live-streamed, while the small group discussion will be in person only.
Young Adult Lenten Bible Study: The Screwtape Letters
Thursdays, March 11 – April 15, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, C207
Young adults aged 22 to 39 are invited to a Lenten study of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, exploring themes of temptation, resistance, and repentance in preparation for Easter. This engaging discussion will inspire and challenge you. Book and dinner will be provided. Register by March 5.
Third – Fifth Grade Lenten Bible Study
Sundays, March 2 – April 13, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, The Loft 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will explore the significance of Lent and Easter. Through interactive lessons, discussions, and activities, they will reflect on themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and hope.
PRAYER
As we study Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, we will focus our daily readings and prayers on this significant book of the Bible. If you would like to receive a daily email with a prayer based on our daily scripture reading, please opt-in to our email list using the button below.
SERVICE
This season, we come together to serve others as the body of Christ. Join us this Lent to make a big impact in a million small ways. We have outreach opportunities for all ages and stages that will make this time meaningful for you and those you help. To learn more and sign up for a volunteer opportunity, click below.
GIFTS
The Lenten Offering
At Peachtree Road, we embrace this sacred season as an opportunity to strengthen our community, answering Christ’s call to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Through our Lenten Offering, we provide vital support to local outreach agencies that are on the front lines of care—offering food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, hope to the struggling, and pathways to a brighter future. These organizations depend on our generosity to continue their work, ensuring that those in crisis receive not only immediate relief but also the tools to build lasting stability.
100% of your gift to the PRUMC Lenten Offering goes directly to organizations that provide resources and create lasting change in Atlanta.