Message from Bishop Gronberg

Dear Partners in Mission:

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη: Christ is Risen!

I pray your observance of the Triduum (the great 3 days) and Easter Sunday were filled with meaning, power, and the joy of celebrating the Resurrection. Across our synod I know you have spent time and energy to proclaim the message of life over death. Christ’s victory found through the cross and empty tomb. The theology of the cross that we as Lutherans hold central to our being.

This Easter comes in the midst of great instability in our nation and violence within our world. The ongoing military actions of our nation and the state of Israel against Iran have generated a predictable response which creates global impact. For our siblings in Sierra Leone Bishop Momoh reports that energy prices have tripled and with that the cost of food and basic necessities has also increased. Creating more hardship for the church as it does its work serving those on the margins.

For our partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (all three of these pictures are from their social media) their lives are made even more challenging by these actions. They live under the real threat of violence not only from potential retaliatory strikes on Jerusalem and the West Bank, but also increased boldness of Israeli settlers continuing to intimidate and expand illegal settlements. Making daily life more challenging and threatening the church’s very existence.

Yet, Easter comes. The ELCJHL, our siblings in Sierra Leone (ELCSL) and here in NT-NL celebrated and will continue to celebrate the Easter feast. We celebrate the joy of knowing God has raised Jesus from the dead ones to life. Just as God promises us in baptism to raise us to new life. Life we then get to live in the promise and hope of the resurrection. Life we live for the sake of our neighbor, seeking peace and justice, not grasping after power and privilege. Following the example of our Lord Jesus who poured himself out for us.

 Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη: Christ is Risen, Indeed!

Bishop Gronberg

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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:

April 11: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
April 12: Central, Dallas
April 19: 50th Anniversary, New Life in Christ, Duncanville
April 19: Senior Sunday, First Presbyterian, Fort Worth
April 24-25: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 26: Central, Dallas
April 28-30: Field Day PTA Captain, Westcliftt Elementary, Fort Worth
May 4: First, Longview Meeting, Synod Office, Irving
May 8: Journal of Lutheran Ethics Advisory Council
May 9: Parish Lay Ministry Academy
May 16-19: Wartburg Seminary Board of Directors
May 23: First Communions/Confirmations, First Sagrada Familia, Garland
Mary 24: Affirmation of Baptism, Trinity, Fort Worth
May 30: First Communions/Confirmations, San Gabriel, Alvarado

Pastora Bañales:

April 1-8: Holy Week Personal Days
April 9: DEM Advisory Team Meeting
April 11: Spanish PLMA Class
April 12: St. Matthews, Waco
April 15: San Gabriel, Alvarado
April 20: Ecumenical Latina Women Network
April 24-25: Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 28: Latinx Pastors Meeting

Pastor Fitting-Snyder:

April 12: Immanuel, Killeen
April 18: NT-NL Candidacy Meeting
April 19: Faith, Flower Mound
April 21: Leading Worship Workshop, Baylor University
April 24-25: NT-NL Synod Assembly, Advent, Arlington
April 26-May 1: Vacation