Message from Bishop Gronberg

Palm Sunday March 29, 2026. As many of you who follow me know my son is playing baseball this spring on a team that is playing in several weekend tournaments. This is great experience for him and the benefit of being in the DFW metroplex is that there is lots of good baseball being played at his level.

But weekend tournaments require some logistics and flexibility so I can also serve the communities of NT-NL Synod, ELCA. On Palm Sunday I was scheduled to be again with the people of Central-Dallas as I have been regularly this spring.

As it turned out he had an 8am game in Bedford on Sunday morning. So we went to that game, immediately hopped in the car and he went with me to Central for worship. It was a beautiful service, particularly the music: hymnody, choral and bells. Grateful for the lay leaders of this congregation who are working together to build their future. We read, as many of you did, the passion narrative from Matthew. So important that we hear that text, listen to it, and remember the labor Christ was doing for us on the cross.

After worship they had a spring festival with games and a bounce house. We stayed just a bit because we had to get back to Bedford for more baseball (win and move on). His team performed well, ultimately winning the championship.

I share this because I know our pastors have to juggle family responsibilities and the duties of a pastor or deacon. We are grateful for our village that can help us out. But it was also a fun day to spend the day with my son and the church and ultimately watch the championship game with my spouse.

Be encouraged this Holy Week as we know there are many things to do. Tasks to accomplish. But most of all we enter Holy Week reminded of what our God does for us so we can give thanks for this life. #NTNL #juntosenmision

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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 5: Trinity, Fort Worth
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 5: Trinity, Clifton
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