Trinity Lutheran Church and School of Minocqua, WI

09/11/2026

Where's Marty? And why?

On the morning on Labor Day, Marty visited the site of the 56th annual Wave Party at Whitman's Bar in Hazelhurst. By evening, well over 500 people had lined up along Highway 51 to wave farewell to tourists departing the Northwoods after a summer of visiting, recreating, and spending money.

It's a heartfelt farewell, as locals say goodbye to visitors with the hope of seeing them again next summer.

Goodbyes and farewells are constant occurrences in life. Sometimes daily, sometimes occasionally, sometimes for the last time.

The Bible has many farewells, especially at the end of letters written by the Apostle Paul. Here's one example: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14) A peek at the very last verse of the Bible reveals this final farewell shared by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen." (Revelation 22:21)

09/09/2026

We encourage you to read this week's Wednesday Encouragement by Pastor Schwanke: "Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!
https://www.trinityminocqua.org/blog

09/08/2026

Where's Marty? And why?

Check back on Friday for answers.

09/06/2026

Ezekiel 33:7-11 “Shock to the System”

Hymns and literurgy: Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net...

09/04/2026

Where's Marty? And why?

Here's "international" Marty, standing in front of the ancient Library of Celsus in the ancient city of Ephesus. Built around 110 AD, it was the third-largest library in the Greco-Roman world behind only those of Alexandria and Pergamum, and is believed to have held around 12,000 scrolls.

Largely destroyed by fire in 262 AD, very little of the original library remains. The facade was reconstructed about 50 years ago.

The Apostle Paul first traveled through Ephesus approximately 55 years before this library was built. He wrote a letter to the Christians at Ephesus around 60 AD. Those Spirit-inspired words are not lost to us because "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Jesus in Matthew 24:25)

Thank God for his preserved, powerful Word to the Ephesians! Here's a passage for meditation and comfort: 'God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" (Ephesians 2:4,5)

Photo Credit: Wanda Pietila

09/02/2026

Trinity Seedlings is returning This Friday! this program is for children through 3 years old to play and learn about Jesus. We meet the first Friday of the school year in the school. This year, we will meet from 8:15-9:30 am. All area children and their parent or caregiver are welcome and there is no cost to attend! We hope to see you here this Friday, September 4 from 8:15-9:30 am.

09/02/2026

We encourage you to read this week's Wednesday Encouragement from Pastor Luchterhand: "9/11 + 25"

8:46 a.m. A moment in time that will never be forgotten. Tuesday, September 11, 2001. New York City. 9/11 is a date in history that forever changed our nation and world. 8:46 a.m. was the...

08/30/2026

Jeremiah 15:15-21 “God Doesn’t Give Us What We Deserve”

Hymns and literurgy: Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net...

08/28/2026

Where's Marty? And why?

Earlier this month, several Trinity members took part in CPR/AED training, including our entire teaching staff. The presentation was excellent and engaging, a refresher for many and new for some. It's an important part of readiness at Trinity, to be able to help church attendees and school students should the need arise.

Like an EMT applying shocking voltage to a stopped heart by way of a defibrillator, the Holy Spirit injects spiritual life into dead-in-sin hearts through his Word of sin and grace. Like Israel of old, we confess, "Certainly our rebellion and our sins weigh us down, and because of them we are rotting away." (Ezekiel 33:10)

But, with the Psalmist in Psalm 130:3,4 we are led to believe: "If you, Lord, kept a record of guilt, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is pardon, so you are feared."

Praise God for this shock to the system! Praise God for his undeserved grace!