February 28, 2020

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope this note finds you well. As you read these words, I am in Kenya with several members of Peachtree Road seeing first-hand the impact our church’s ministry has had on the people living in the region. The people with whom I have met have pleaded with me to express their appreciation to you for the help you have provided over the years – from support for a school here in Nakuru to the water filters given that are enabling so many to have access to clean water to the friendships made and kinship felt. It has been an inspiring and heartwarming trip and I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming days. 

Last Sunday marked the close of our series of messages on “Maximizing Mental Health.” Because of the time difference, as I have traveled throughout the Holy Land the last two weeks, I have been able to finish my dinner and worship with you online through the livestream of our services. I am so grateful to Jamie Jenkins, Larry Adams, and Ron Greer for the hope and help they brought to all of us as we wrestle with mental health issues. If you would like to view these messages or share them with a friend in need, you may find the link here.

This Sunday marks the first Sunday in Lent, and I believe this season comes at a most welcome time. During these forty days, we have the opportunity to slow down, reflect, pray, and breathe. I encourage you to do just that. And I also encourage you to refrain from judging or criticizing others. Let’s take the time to breathe and pray and seek God’s guidance for living the life he intended us to live. Our theme for this season is “The Journey.”
March 1  |   Psalm 100  |  Worship: Come into His Presence
March 8  |   Psalm 119:97-105  |  Study: Growing in the Word
March 15  |   Matthew 25:31-40  |  Serve: Here I Am, Lord
March 22  |   Mark 12:41-44  |  Give: Generous Living
March 29  |   John 4:3-15  |  Share: Go, Tell It on the Mountain
April 5  |   Luke 23:44-46  |  The Cross: Jesus Walks the Walk
Each week we will be discussing a spiritual discipline that draws us toward a closer walk with God. This Sunday our associate minister Carolyn Stephens will be preaching on worship and prayer and suggesting some ways we can grow those disciplines in our lives. I will be preaching in Kenya on Sunday morning and will be back with you the following Sunday. I hope you will be present each week in the season.

In addition to weekly worship, I do invite you to consider practicing several spiritual disciplines during the season of Lent:

  • Fast – I will be practicing the Wesley Fast during this season by fasting at least one day each week. My goal is to not eat solid food from supper one day until supper the next day. John Wesley advocated fasting to the early Methodists as a way of remembering our identity. Food does not sustain us. God sustains us. I certainly commend fasting to you in this season. 

  • Pray – I encourage you to set aside regular time each day for prayer. Give thanks for the blessings of life, meditate upon the scriptures, and intercede for others. I also remind you that we have a thirty-minute worship service every Wednesday at noon in the Moore Chapel. This could be a very helpful time for many, and I hope you will help us get the word out about this service. 

  • Give – Once again this year’s Lenten Offering will be used to support the agencies and ministries in the Greater Atlanta area with whom we partner to make a difference in the lives of others. You are encouraged to give something up during this season and give the money you estimate you would have spent on what you are giving up to this offering. 

  • Serve – In addition to “giving something up” for Lent, how about “taking something on” during this season? What if you added something to your regular week this season and intentionally looked for ways to do something for others? Certainly, one way to serve is to join your friends at Peachtree Road for the Great Day of Service. I encourage you to do so today by signing up here.

Finally, let me remind you of two additional opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection during the season:

  • Rest Along the Way: A Field Guide for the Lenten Journey – these daily devotionals are offered to subscribers by email throughout the Lenten season. If you would like to subscribe, please click here. Paper copies of the daily devotions will be available day by day at the Rollins Front Desk information kiosk. 

  • Lenten Prayer Trail – from February 26 through April 11, you are invited to come walk the prayer trail on our campus during Lent. Rest and reflect at specified stops on the path and be restored. You can view a map of the trail here.

I look forward to the journey ahead as we begin to tune out the noise of the world, tune into the voice of the Lord, and breathe in the Spirit together. 

Bill