Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder

To all you leaders and volunteers prepping for holy week this week, making sure the bulletins are getting done, the sermons get written, the visits are made, the music is prepped – you are being prayed for. And I pray that amid all the things that need to be checked off the to-do list, you too, get to enter into this sacred and amazing story. 

I am always flooded with emotions during Holy Week and Easter. What begins as a triumphal waving of branches, anticipating Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, quickly turns to sorrow as we imagine ourselves among the crowd, crying, “Crucify him, Crucify him.” As we contemplate our sin and the brokenness of the world, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. In a time when life is full of uncertainty, division, and personal struggles, we may find ourselves dwelling in those dark places.

So maybe this is the perfect time for the reminder that there is nowhere that God won’t go for you and for me. God goes to hell and back—for you. We confess in the Apostles’ Creed that Christ “descended to the dead/hell,” but it is during Holy Week that this truth comes alive. 

This in-between time of Jesus’ death and resurrection was known by the earliest Christians as “The Harrowing of Hell.” Many powerful icons and paintings depict Christ descending into hell, reaching out to Adam and Eve, pulling them up from their graves, and extending salvation. It is a stunning image of God’s relentless love and grace.

I don’t know what personal struggles you are facing right now. Maybe you are dealing with loss, uncertainty, loneliness, or the pressures of daily life. But know this—Christ has already burst the bonds of hell once and for all. Christ will stop at nothing to be present with us, to share hope and peace in the midst of whatever we are facing.

And here is your yearly reminder that Easter doesn’t depend on packed churches, special music, lilies, or traditions—it depends on the saving act of Christ dying and rising once and for all. 

The first Easter morning didn’t come with fanfare, but rather in the stillness—while people grieved, wondered, and waited. And even now, in whatever season of life we find ourselves, Easter still comes. God is not fragile. Resurrection is not fragile. It does not depend on us; thanks be to God.

In the work of Christ,

Pastor Kelsey

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March Mission Support Memo

The March 2025 Mission Support Memo connects us as partners in relationship. Hear about how the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin welcomed lay and rostered leaders across the synod to the Grove, providing a beautiful space to wonder, learn, connect, collaborate, and explore how vital ministry can happen in the name of Christ.  This memo also asks to connect with you to get your important feedback about the memo through a short survey seeking to improve this work we do together. They are so grateful to be in partners in relationship across the ELCA synods and congregations.

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NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.

Bishop Gronberg:

April 13: First Lutheran, Temple
April 24-25: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
May 4: Emanuel, Dallas
May 18: Messiah, Weatherford
May 18: Trinity, Sherman

Pastora Bañales:

April 7-11: Stewardship of Life Institute Board Meeting, Chicago
April 12: Spanish Parish Lay Ministry Academy
April 20: Emanuel, Dallas
April 25-26: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
April 29: Latinx Couples Retreat Planning Team Meeting

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

April 13: Gloria Dei, Garland
April 20: St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth
April 24-26: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Lubbock
April 27: Rejoice, Coppell
May 3: COW Conference, Miles
May 4: Bethel, Avoca