Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder
Even if you aren’t like me, who starts listening to Christmas music in October (please don’t judge it brings me joy), you have probably started by now. One album I always come back to is “Christmas Together” by John Denver and The Muppets.
The Muppets with John Denver holds a sweet place in my heart because it was the one CD my mom had in the car that both my sister and I could agree on. We would sing the round together in the song “Christmas is Coming” and we would belt out together with Miss Piggy as she sang “five gold rings.”
But no Christmas album would be complete without a rendition of “Silent Night.” In the middle of the song on the album, the music starts to fade and you hear John Denver give a summary of how the hymn came into being in 1818. This beloved Christmas carol came about because of a broken organ in a tiny church in Austria, and now, has been bringing people to tears on Christmas Eve for over 200 years.
One memory I have of this cherished song is being taught how to sing it in German by my Nana (The Muppets also sing it in German on their album). And now I sing the German words on Christmas Eve in remembrance of her.
The holidays, while fun and festive for some, are often met with grief and sadness for others. The last few months of 2024 have been difficult for me as I have been processing the loss of a dear friend too young. While sometimes it may be hard for us to sing our beloved carols because of the despair we feel, it is this time of the year especially that I am reminded of the importance of the Christian community – people gathered to sing for us and carry us when we can’t get the words out ourselves. And I know a time will come when my grief is less pronounced, that I will be there to sing and carry the tune for someone else going through a difficult time.
The phrase I often come back to in Silent Night is “love’s pure light.” That even in the midst of the pain, in the midst of the despair, God’s light shines. We have this hope, this beacon to cling to, reminding us that the world is not as God intended it to be…yet. So we give thanks for the gift of Emmanuel – God with us – to be with us in those moments of life’s ups and downs, and we give thanks for the gift of community where Christ’s presence is felt and made known in those around us. And when we are ready, we join back in the song, continuing to spread that light with others.
I hope you have blessed end to your Advent season and feel Christ’s presence profoundly this Christmastime.
In Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love,
Pastor Kelsey
You’re Invited to Emanuel, Dallas for Las Posadas
The word “posada” in Spanish means “shelter” and in many Latin American countries the time of Advent is to reflect on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. Join Emanuel, Dallas as they gather for Las Posadas on Saturday, December 21st at 5pm. Las Posadas will begin with the traditional posada journey around the church building as participants hold candles and sing the story of shelter and silent night before entering the sanctuary for songs and nativity. Afterwards, they’ll have a fellowship meal with traditional Mexican cuisine and a piñata! Children are invited to arrive at 4:45pm to choose a costume from the Nativity story to wear as they process around the church and once they reach the sanctuary, participants will be an active part in the Nativity Story told by Pastora Rachel. Young and old and all in between are welcome to celebrate the fiesta of Emanuel, God-With-Us.
WELCA Blue Christmas Virtual Service
WELCA’s annual Blue Christmas Service offers a safe place to bring your grief, fear, and loss. Brief readings, quiet and reflective music, prayers, all are welcome. Spanish translation provided.
The service takes place at 7:00pm on Saturday, December 21. For more information or to register for the service please go to https://www.womenoftheelca.org/event/blue-christmas-service-virtual-2
Introducing Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Gift Planner
Kirk J. Barrett has been named as a gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. He will serve the congregations and their members in the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and with other ministries that are sponsoring organizations of the foundation.
Barrett is a Certified Financial PlannerTM and holds the Enrolled Agent (EA) certification, which demonstrates expertise in tax planning and representation before the IRS. He previously served as a financial planner with Raymond James Financial Services in Dallas and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance from Northeastern State University, a Master of Business Administration Degree from Sam Houston State University and completed the Graduate Business Analytics Certificate Program at Southern Methodist University.
“The foundation is extremely pleased to have Kirk Barrett join our staff as a gift planner for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod,” said Deacon John Dellis, director of legacy planning for the foundation. “His past experience in financial planning, combined with his passion for generosity, will be invaluable to the foundation’s continued work and collaborative partnership with the synod and its congregations and ministries.”
Barrett will begin his service with the foundation on Jan. 1,2025.
He and his wife, Melissa, are members of Preston Meadow Lutheran Church in Plano. They have two daughters, Grace and Faith.
Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest provides legacy gift planning services for the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Southwestern Texas, and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synods. The mission of the foundation is to recognize, inspire, facilitate, and teach legacy stewardship. It serves in partnership with the ELCA Foundation. Other sponsoring organizations include Cross Trails Ministry, Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Texas Lutheran University, and Upbring.
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 21: Las Posadas, Emanuel, Dallas
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 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:
- 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.