Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

Across much of our territory school is now officially back in session. Backpack blessings have been held and the preparations for fall programming are in place and even kicking off.

What is clear from my conversations with many of you and others across the church (Lutheran and beyond) is that while these sorts of rituals are seeing  more participation and energy we are still not where we were in 2019. This is especially true for traditional Sunday morning discipleship programming. With our “new normal” of less consistent weekly worship (yes, that is a verifiable fact, folks are coming to church but less frequently), preparing for Sunday morning activities and recruiting volunteers is more difficult. And this is happening in smaller and larger congregations. It also can be very defeating for our leaders who continue to work hard to prepare lessons when fewer people show up.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t great things happening in the times when folks do show up. Or that our leaders are any less dedicated, skilled, and innovative. So I would encourage you this Labor Day weekend to take a moment thank those who are laboring in your congregation to do this work. To give them an encouraging word. To hold your tongue if you are inclined to say something negative and if you offer an opinion make sure that opinion comes with your time, support, and a willingness to learn why something is happening the way it is.

This is an exciting fall season. We are seeing good things and in many places congregations experiencing new life and energy. Let us feed that energy with our support for our leaders. Remembering Paul’s words to the church in Corinth. “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In Mission Together:

Bishop Gronberg

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St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth 70th Anniversary Choir

St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth will be celebrating 70 years of ministry on All Saints Sunday, the 5th of November. To celebrate this milestone their director of music, Adam Frame, is putting together a synod-wide choir. On Saturday, November 4th they will be performing John Rutter’s Requiem. Rehearsal will start at 9am and call time for the performance is at 3pm. Singers are invited to stay through Sunday to perform a movement of the piece for the anthem at their 70th anniversary service. St. Matthew’s choir loft can fit 60 singers, if you are interested in singing please sing up here.

The Requiem presentation will be at 4pm for those interested in attending in the pews.

If you have any questions please reach out to Adam Frame directly by email or phone (469) 328-1650.

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Featured Resources for August

Across a context as wide and different as NT-NL, the reality of Covid-19 is very different. As such, NT-NL synod staff are doing more in-person Sunday visits for worship and occasional meetings. However, as good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats into our new hybrid future. Given the rise of breakthrough infections and in order to protect those gathered, the synod staff will choose to wear masks as is deemed appropriate unless preaching or presiding and sufficient social distancing can be provided.

Bishop Gronberg:

Sep 8-9th: Synod Council, Synod Office
Sep 9: Ordination of Mallory Morris, Calvary, Richland Hills
Sep 10th: Bethel-Avoca Confirmation
Sep 17th: Redeemer-Greenville Fellowship Hall Dedication
Sep 25th: King of Glory-Dallas 65th Anniversary
Sep 26-30th: Conference of Bishops

Pastor Totzke:

Sep 7: Transitional/Interim Pastors, Zoom
Sep 8-9th: Synod Council, Synod Office
Sep 9: PLMA
Sep 9: Ordination of Mallory Morris, Calvary, Richland Hills
Sep 10: Messiah, Weatherford – 20th Anniversary
Sep 17: New Hope, Keller
Sep 23: COW Conference Gathering
Sep 24: Grace, Slaton 100th Anniversary
Sep 25-27: Tri-Synodical First Call Pastors Retreat, Gonzales, TX

Pastora Bañales:

Jun. 1-Aug. 31: On Sabbatical
Sep 8-9th: Synod Council, Synod Office