June/July 2026 Update

Arvin Pirness  |  The Voice of Zion June/July 2026 - News & Notes --

June and July bring a full season of life’s activities, from graduations, travel with family, and the many gatherings and events at our LLC camp centers. We pause with gratitude to acknowledge the graduates among us. Dear 2026 high school and college graduates, you have reached a meaningful milestone. God has carried you to this point, and we trust He will continue to guide your steps in the days ahead.

June also brings Father’s Day. Dear fathers, may God richly bless you for the diligent and faithful care you provide in your homes. In a time that often lacks clarity, your children need loving and steady guidance daily. 

We remember those attending confirmation school this summer. This is a significant time in the life of a young believer. Parents send you with many prayers, asking that God would strengthen your faith through His Word and instruction. As summer unfolds, may we each find time to be together with family, to rest from labors, and to enjoy the blessings God so graciously provides.

Updates on LLC Activities

Publications

• A number of new items will be available at the onsite bookstore during 2026 LLC Summer Services at Silver Springs. We invite you to stop by and browse both these new releases and previously published titles. New items include:

– 2025 Annual Anthology – covering themes from the 2025 Operating Plan, My Help Cometh from the Lord

– 2026 Address and Telephone Directory

– A Mother’s Anthology: They Call Her Blessed

– Children’s Bible Story Book: The Fall into Sin

• The 2026 International Music Camp, with music directors Sheldon Ylioja from Finland and Ian Hendrickson from Minnesota, will be held July 6–15, 2026. The camp event will be held at Hasscib Lake Camp, Champion, Michigan. The recording of the album will be made in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Pastoral

• Welcome to the 2026 Summer Services at Silver Spring in Monticello, Minn. The service motto for these services is “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” from 1 John 1:3. The Menahga and Brainerd congregations are diligently preparing for these services. May God bless our service event.

• Camp season is upon us and with that many have been asked to serve as directors and teachers at these events. A special thank-you to each of you who have been willing to serve at the requested events. We especially remember those attending confirmation school this summer. May God bless our camp season and allow His Word and instruction to flow freely, supporting the foundational teaching of living faith that is taught in the home.

• Jussi Rentola and Ari-Pekka Palola will travel to serve in North America this Summer from the SRK as part of the minister exchange. Rentola will serve at the 2026 LLC Summer Services and various congregations following Summer Services. Ari-Pekka Palola will serve as a teacher at SLC 3 Confirmation School.

• Petri Hotari, Daniel Kumpula and Marv Wittenberg will travel to serve in Finland this summer. Hotari will serve at the 2026 SRK Summer Services and in various RYs, Kumpula will serve as a teacher at Maitoinen 3 Confirmation School. Wittenberg will serve at each of the Opisto Services in July. We remember these brothers on their service trips.