April 2025 Update
- Laestadian Lutheran
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion April 2025 - News & Notes Article --
Jesus said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head, and temporal life ended (John 19:30). In that moment a promise was fulfilled and atonement for sin was completely paid. Today, by faith, the child of God rejoices in the eternal hope promised to one who is believing on the work finished by the Lord Jesus. As we gather in services and with family this Easter season, marvel at this matter, that our hope rests on eternal matters and the rest awaiting in heaven one day.
Update on LLC Activities
Pastoral
A new ministers’ workshop, held at the LLC office in February, welcomed 15 attendees. We experienced the blessing of gathering to discuss the responsibilities and duties that have been entrusted by the congregations with this calling.
Minister’s camp is held at Stony Lake Camp in early April. This annual event is a camp where servants of the Word gather to visit around timely topics, receive encouragement and enjoy fellowship with one another.
The scheduling of 2026 services and events continues. The LLC core event scheduling is completed and we are currently in a phase of scheduling congregation special services, rotation services, and services in locations where believers live but do not have a formal congregation.
Education
The first education-focused video was distributed to congregational Sunday School contacts at the beginning of March. The topic of the video is “Introduction to the Bible.” Those who’ve viewed the video have provided helpful and positive feedback and support production of additional teaching videos.
Facilities
The Stony Lake Camp Board has completed west dorm renovations. The renovations included updated bunks, replaced old flooring and cleaning and sealing interior wall surfaces.
Planning is ongoing for a pavilion concept at Silver Springs. The purpose of a pavilion is to support summer services, regional service events, workshops, seminars and other day-use events.
Mission Work
The April mission trip to Togo and Benin will be the first time services have been arranged in Benin. In previous years, there have been believers from Benin who have traveled to Togo for services.
Communications
The broadcast studio at the recent Phoenix Winter Services was full of activity all weekend. Many hours of pre-recorded programs combined with in-studio live interviews complemented the focus of the broadcast, the services of God’s children. We appreciate the many local believers who worked in the studio in a variety of roles and supported this area of work.
Pre-recorded content that was broadcast at services will soon be available on Hearken, our publications app, so you can listen in to what you may have missed during the services weekend.
We will hold an online Content Creators Workshop on April 26. Contact us for more information if the details on this workshop have not reached you otherwise.
It is time for young people who are interested in studying at an opisto in Finland to apply for an LLC opisto scholarship! Applications can be found on the LLC website and are due May 15. We are currently accepting applications for the 2026–27 opisto year.
The season of graduations and summer weddings is soon upon us once again. Consider gift subscriptions to LLC periodicals or our Hearken app as you select gifts to give in honor of these milestones.