Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder
What do a tree, the Marvel cinematic universe and the Easter story all have in common? The answer is simple, and his name is Groot.
Groot first shows up in the movie Guardians of the Galaxy and is described as an “extraterrestrial tree-like being.” As he walks around on two stump-like legs, he controls his root and vine-like arms, extending them and retracting them as he wishes. Despite being able to fully understand what others say, the only three words that come out of his mouth are “I. am. Groot.” (in that order).
Groot isn’t really a main character as his main role is to support his friends and offer comic relief in the films. But, in all the 35 films of the Marvel Universe, Groot is the only character to make me weep.
At the end of the Guardians film (spoiler alert), Groot willingly sacrifices himself for the sake of his other friends. Groot stretches out his branches wide to embrace his friends. And when one of his fellow heroes cries out “No Groot, you will die!” Groot calmly and assuredly responds “We are Groot.”
We are Groot.
We recently retold and heard the story of a man, who on a tree willingly stretches his arms wide, for the sake of all his friends – for your sake and mine. It is that one act on a cross in which Jesus unites all of humanity. This one moment in time where God shows all of us that there isn’t anywhere God wouldn’t go for you and for me. Christ’s death makes us one, but it is because of the resurrection that Christ lives in all of us. We are Christ…for the sake of one another and for the sake of the world.
It is this “we” that is so important. The “we” reminds us that Christians are part of something greater than themselves. When Groot makes that switch in the movie from “I” to “We” it is to remind his friends that in order to save not just the world, but the galaxy, they are going to need to stick together and be there for each other. Christians can’t exist outside of community. We are the body of Christ, we are the NT-NL Synod building one another up, on common ground as we experienced at assembly, so that we can build up our communities and the world.
So, when we are tempted to let things divide us or when we get bogged down with the stress of daily life, may we remember what it means to be in Christian community and find assurance in three simple words, We. Are. Groot.
(P.S. Spoiler alert…In case you were wondering Groot like Jesus rises again ☺)
LuMin Connect Your Graduates
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April Mission Support Memo: Stories Bring Us Together
The April 2025 Mission Support Memo reflects on the Northwest Intermountain Synod Council Retreat at beautiful Lutherhaven Camp. Throughout the time together, council members and synod leaders meditated on their stories and sought to embody the stories that God has entrusted to each of one to hear, empower, and share. Explore the memo to find out ways we can connect with councils, leaders, and congregations.
Featured Resources for May
Upbring is a Texas-wide organization implementing generational innovation to advance child wellbeing. They are a faith-based organization with deep Lutheran roots and have served children and families in Texas for over 140 years.
For more than a century – from the service-minded Lutherans who dreamed of building an orphanage in the 1860s to the vital programs in place today throughout Texas – Upbring has proudly grown and adapted to the changing needs of society. Their story is marked by the continual practice of generational innovation, each moment in history building upon the next to impact the next generation of children, families and communities.
Learn more about Upbring and their mission by reading “9 Thing You May Not Know About Upbring“.
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:
May 18: Messiah, Weatherford
May 18: Trinity, Sherman
May 24: Ordination of Trenten Ormsbee-Hale, St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth
Pastora Bañales:
May 14: Online Spanish Liturgy Course
May 15-18: Lutheran Seminary of Theology, Chicago
May 19: ELCA Latino DEMs Online Meeting
May 21: Online Spanish Liturgy Course
May 22: ELCA DEMs Online Meeting
May 24: St. Matthew’s, Fort Worth
May 28: Online Spanish Liturgy Course
June 1: Emanuel, Dallas
June 1: Adviento, Arlington
June 2: Spanish Coaching Team
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
May 18: First Lutheran, Waco
May 18: Installation of Pastor Adam Stockton, Trinity, Sherman
May 25: Emmanuel, Dallas
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:
- May 14: Spanish Liturgy Course, Zoom
- May 21: Spanish Liturgy Course, Zoom
- May 27: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom
- May 28: Spanish Liturgy Course, Zoom
- June 1: Ordination and Installation of Connie Ortega, Adviento, Arlington
- June 8: Ordination and Installation of Christine Cracchiolo, Abiding Grace, Southlake
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.