Dear Partners in Ministry:

On May 6th members of the Eastern Conference and myself held a closing/decommissioning service at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Marshall. This is a service a long time in coming. Over the past decade+ the congregation at Good Shepherd became evermore dispersed and unable to maintain ministry. Covid only made things more challenging. So it has become time to say goodbye to this chapter of our ministry in Marshall.

Closing congregations is never done without great prayer and thought. Trusting that the Holy Spirit guides us and the church we remember that congregations have life cycles and this is expressed in scripture. The congregations that the Apostle Paul addressed his letters to do not exist today. The congregations John on Patmos addressed in Revelation no longer exist. But the church, the baptized, remains.

And so it is that we are committed to continue to being the church in the world. At our recent assembly a resolution was put forth charging the synod council to come with a plan at our next assembly to plant and fund 4 new congregations in NT-NL. It is a bold and challenging resolution. Many have asked how this is going to be done. The reality is, we don’t know. But we certainly can and will learn as we engage this process. And in doing so we will listen deeply to the Holy Spirits guidance.

Death and life. This is the gospel message. Happy Easter!!!

Bishop Gronberg

NT-NL Synod Online Spanish Liturgy; ! BIENVENIDOS A LA MESA DE GRACIA!

We will learn & have Fun together by practicing Spanish language, praying, group practice, and assignments to put your learnings into action.

Theme: !Welcome all to the Table of Grace! Bienvenidos a la Mesa de gracia

Target Audience: Adults (Non-Spanish Speakers) Pastors, Deacons, SAWL and Lay members

Focus: Spanish Language Skills, Liturgy Vocabulary, Hispanic Culture awareness; Religious Traditions.

Objectives:

• Introduce key liturgical vocabulary in Spanish
• Explore some of the Hispanic Religious tradition during the liturgical year.
• Practice Spanish grammar and Vocabulary
• Familiarize students with the ELCA Spanish-language liturgies.

Click here to learn more about the Spanish Liturgy program and to register.

Honoring Pastor Franz Schemmel, Messiah Weatherford

All are warmly invited to join the people of Messiah, Weatherford for a Liturgy of Thanksgiving at the Conclusion of a Call as they celebrate the ministry of The Rev. Franz Schemmel and give thanks for his faithful service on Sunday, May 18th at 10:30 am. This special service will mark the conclusion of Pastor Franz’s call to Messiah Lutheran Church and his transition into retirement.

Click here to find more information and to RSVP.

Cross Trails Summer Jobs

Happy Easter from Lutheran Summer Music!

Happy Easter from the National Lutheran Choir

Please send resumes to Kari Voight at K.Voight@faithce.com