Deb Hoffarth is a member of First Lutheran in Minot, and currently serves on Metigoshe’s Board of Trustees. Her children are also longtime campers at Camp Metigoshe. We are thankful that Deb invited her aunt, Janice Schmidt to join our trip. Janice lives in Petersburg ND and is deeply involved in her church and community, including as a church organist.

Deb and Janice reflect upon our time in Lutherstadt Eisleben.

Lutherstadt Eisleben represents the beginning and the end of Martin Luther’s life.  God ordained for Luther to be born in Eisleben on November 10, 1483 to Margarite and Hans Luther and brought him home to die on February 18, 1546.  Martin Luther was baptized on November 11, 1483 at the St. Peter and St. Paul Church in the presence of his father and godfather.  

We started our day at the St. Peter and St. Paul Church Sunday service.  Although we did not know the language, the familiarity of the Lutheran litany made us feel at home.

We saw the homes where Luther was born and died.  The art and period restoration painted the picture of Luther’s time in his hometown.  In the Market Square, his statue proudly stands, holding the Bible, with the base depicting his life’s accomplishments – defeat of the devil, translation of the Bible, music, and his debate with Eck.

We ended the day at St. Andrew’s Church where Luther preached 4 times, the last time was 3 days prior to his death.  Luther died knowing he was saved by Christ through grace and that is the greatest treasure we all have.