Message from Pastor Fitting-Snyder

Anniversary, Reformation, and All Saints

What does a 70th anniversary celebration in Abilene, a Reformation Sunday Service in Dallas, and an All Saints Sunday Service in Lockney all of in common? Yes, these are all places within the NT-NL Synod, but in a profound way all three of these occasions celebrate the vast cloud of witnesses past and present. 

I spent the second weekend in October in Abilene celebrating the 70th anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church. The dinner was a celebration of the years of service to the community and the current ministry partners. Pictures from the time of the founding to present day were displayed around the room as people commented on how much the children (who are now in their 50s and 60s) have grown. Giving thanks for the saints that have gone before, the congregation looks to future with hope, trusting that God will continue to work through them to serve the Abilene community. 

Reformation Sunday I lead worship and preached at Christ Lutheran in Dallas. A festive celebration, with the color red all around, reminding us of the Holy Spirit’s continued work in the church past and present.  Christ in Dallas had a similar worship style to the church I grew up in, Holy Trinity in Lebanon, PA, and I found myself thinking of the cloud of witnesses who shaped me growing up as we sang “A Might Fortress.” My message that morning focused on why we celebrate the Reformation today. Why is it still important in 2024, while I didn’t mention it in my sermon, to come back to the cloud of witnesses, we are reminded that the work is never done. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” The breath and movement of the Holy Spirit continues, working through us, the cloud of witnesses and we are assured we do not run this race alone.

Most recently I spent All Saints Sunday with the saints of Trinity Lutheran in Lockney. This is now the furthest I have been in Texas. As we were driving up to the church, I looked at my husband, who has graciously been driving on these road trips, and said I think that building way out there is the church. Because of how flat everything was you could see for miles, and sure enough the building I pointed to was in fact Trinity Lutheran. As names were read out loud of previous saints who know now the glory of God fully, I kept looking at people in the congregation, with multiple generations represented, coming from miles away to this church. The cloud of witnesses at this church, have a deep love for one another and the community, as they hosted a trunk or treat, and packed food bags for the hungry in the surrounding area. 

The cloud of witnesses is alive and well in the NT-NL Synod. I am grateful to be able to travel and meet more along the way. While we may be separated by hundreds and hundreds of miles, we are not in this work alone, and that gives me hope, the hope that doesn’t disappoint. 

In the Hope of Christ, 

Pastor Kelsey

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2025 Prayer Partners

We have updated the synod Prayer Partners list for next year and uploaded it to the website. You can find that here: https://www.ntnl.org/resources/prayer-partners/.

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:

November 12: Conference of Bishops, Zoom
November 19: Wartburg Seminary Board Committee Meetings
November 21: Dallas Area Interfaith Clergy Assembly
December 1: Installation of The Rev. Kyle Symanski, Calvary, Richland Hills
December 6-9: Hosting Region 4 Bishops
December 8: Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, San Gabriel, Alvarado
December 26-January 3: Family Vacation

Pastora Bañales:

November 11-15: ELCA DEM Annual Gathering
November 21: First Sagrada Familia, Garland
November 22: Thanksgiving Service and Dinner, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
November 23: Community of Hope, Fort Worth
November 25-29: Vacation

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

November 17: St. Paul, Crawford
November 26: First Call Pastors Check-In, Zoom