518-354-9999
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Witnessing for Christ in the North Country
Holy Trinity is a two-point parish with congregational bodies in Saranac Lake NY and in Canton NY. Pastor Eric also serves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plattsburgh, NY. We are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the western-most members of the New England Synod. We welcome Lutherans of all traditions, and anyone seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Activities
Learning, Growing, Loving, Serving
Worship
Living into the Gospel
Please note that in Canton and in Saranac Lake, we share worship space with our Episcopalian brothers and sisters. Click the relevant links below to learn more about our sister parishes.
Our Reformation Day worship at Grace Church in Canton can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqsRuU_6bjU
Canton-Potsdam Holy Trinity Lutheran
Saturdays 4:00 pm
Grace Episcopal Church
9 East Main St., Canton NY 13617
https://www.gracechurchcanton.org/
Plattsburgh Redeemer Lutheran Church
Sundays 10:15 am
10 Adirondack Lane
Plattsburgh NY 12901
https://plattsburghredeemer.com/
Saranac Lake Holy Trinity Lutheran
Sundays 4:00 pm
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
136 Church St
Saranac Lake NY 12983
https://www.stlukessaranaclake.org/
Bible Study
Learning God's Word
We are currently studying Paul's Letter to the Romans over Zoom Sundays at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to join at the following link:
Fellowship
Celebrating Community
Fellowship opportunities are celebrated whenever possible.
Leadership
Barbara Marten
Eucharistic Lay Leader
Barbara, who is a CPA by day, has been ordained as a Eucharistic Lay Leader and assists in services and ministry. Barbara helps to assemble our weekly liturgies and often preaches in Canton.
Kathy Cross
Music Director, Office Manager
Kathy has decades of experience in sacred music, and chooses, arranges, and leads our music in collaboration with the Worship Team. She also manages the daily operations of the office. You can learn more about her work at her website,
Erik Backus
Lay Leader
Erik retired from the US Army and teaches engineering at Clarkson University. Erik fancies himself a "green sheep", facilitates regular Bible Study groups, and helps to lead worship. He's been known to try to riff on the bass line during his favorite hymns. You can learn more about Erik through Clarkson University, here:
James Hazelwood
Bishop, New England Synod
James Hazelwood is our Bishop, and visits when his schedule permits. You can learn more about the New England Synod here: https://nelutherans.org/
You can learn more about Bishop Hazelwood's ministry to encourage Everyday Spirituality here:
https://www.jameshazelwood.net/
Our History
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Saranac Lake, developed out of the 1980 Winter Olympics which were held in nearby Lake Placid, NY. At that time, a small but committed group realized that this region, largely a bastion of Roman Catholicism with several other Protestant churches, included unserved Lutherans. They also saw that Nordic and German Olympic athletes were lacking a worship opportunity, and felt a missional call to serve them. This group was chartered by the American Lutheran Church in 1981, and merged into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America later in the 1980s
Meanwhile, in nearby Potsdam, the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod (LCMS), had combined congregations into one, Gloria Dei, in the mid-1980s. A few years later, conflicts within the LCMS caused a split and eventual closure of the church in 1990. The remnant members of that congregation, seeking to be welcoming and open to those that were receptive to the gospel, reached out for pastoral care and service opportunities with their brethren in Saranac Lake. From that time, this has been a two-point parish, with services, sharing, and fellowship in both communities.
The Saranac Lake congregation now shares worship and fellowship space with St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 136 Main St. in Saranac Lake, and the Canton/Potsdam congregation shares space with Grace Episcopal Church at 9 East Main St. in Canton.
If you are looking for a welcoming community ready to share the good news of the gospel, join us for worship on Saturday or Sunday.
"Pray, and let God worry."
Martin Luther
Contact Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
136 Main St., Saranac Lake NY 12983
518-354-9999