Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear Partners in Mission:
Sunday December 8th we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Iglesia San Gabriel-Alvarado and the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Was so grateful to have 4 of my Region 4 bishop colleagues with us to commemorate this day.
We celebrated with worship in the morning and then walked the 5 mile parade route. In previous years I have had the honor of participating in this event on horseback. However, due to the rain and slippery roads we chose not to ride, leaving that to the more experienced.
This celebration is one of many ways we live into John the Baptist’s command to prepare the way of the Lord. During Advent there are many festivals across our synod that reflect ways our immigrant church remembers our heritage.
Friday December 6th was Saint Nicholas’ day, special to those of German heritage. December 13th those of Scandinavian heritage will celebrate Santa Lucia. Our Savior’s in Norse continues its annual smorgasbord tradition and just down the road in Cranfills Gap the school district will honor that communities Norwegian heritage with their annual Lutefisk dinner. So many others of course as well.
For those of Mexican and Central American heritage the festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe remembers Juan Diego’s faith in proclaiming the vision of the Virgin Mary. Even when his claims were rejected initially he kept the faith and finally the church recognized his claim and in so doing acknowledged that God comes to all people, regardless of their social status.
These festivals are good reminders to us all that preparing for Jesus’ coming is something we are all called to do. As we enter the longest night’s of the year that gift of darkness gives us time to reflect. To take a moment and prepare ourselves and our communities for the coming of Christ.
So as you prepare, watch, and wait know you do so…
#TogetherInMission,
Bishop Gronberg
Longest Night Service at Christ, Dallas
You are invited to join Christ, Dallas on Friday, December 20th at 6:30pm for a service of reflection, hope and healing. No RSVP required.
Christ, Dallas is located at 3001 Lovers Lane, Dallas Texas
Lutheran Men in Mission Fall Ambassador-Gram
Find updates about Lutheran Men in Mission and upcoming events here.
NT-NL Synodical Women’s Organization’s November Newsletter
You can read about the happenings of our Synodical Women’s Organization here.
Featured Resources for December
Our friends at Compassionate Christianity offer an extensive array of FREE resources, such as Personal Nourishment and Spiritual Practices, Family and Pastoral Resources, Compassion in Action (including a partnership with How to Heal Our Divides), and so much more:
Resources for the Compassionate Christian Community
“Inclusive, welcoming, and affirming resources, reflecting the compassion Jesus modeled for us.”
Where in the world is?
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:
December 15: Family Sunday, Trinity, Fort Worth
December 22: St. Paul, Crawford
January 12: Shepherd King, Lubbock
January 19: Grace, Fort Worth
Pastora Bañales:
December 11: Central, Dallas
December 12: DEM Monthly Meeting
December 14: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
December 16: PODER Latinx Young Adult Mission Developers Meeting
December 19: NT-NL DEM Advisory Team Meeting
December 23-January 3: Vacation
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
December 10-13: Vacation
December 15: St. Paul, Crawford
December 22: Shepherd King, Lubbock
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- December 14: Public Witness Team Meeting
- January 3-5: Peer Ministry Retreat, Calvary, Richland Hills
- January 11: Public Witness Team Meeting
- January 28: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.