Articles & Presentations

The Voice of Zion January 2026 - Home and Family Articles -- In every believing heart and home, life in faith is learned not only from sermons and Sunday School lessons, but through the quiet, ordinary rhythms of family life. Parents teach and guide; adolescents test boundaries while learning to step into adulthood; siblings – especially the older ones – shape one another through example. These three articles by writers from the Seattle, Wash., congregation explore how God w

Walt Lampi  |  The Voice of Zion January 2026 - The Sabbath Word 4 Article --  Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teache

The Voice of Zion January 2026 - The Book of Books -- The Bible is unlike any other book. While libraries contain countless volumes written by human minds, the Bible is God’s own Word to His people. It is a collection of many writings from different times and places, yet it speaks with one voice. The apostle Paul reminded Timothy that all Scripture is God-breathed. This means it is not only human words but the living Word of God, inspired by His Spirit. It teaches, rebukes, c

Jim Jurmu  |  The Voice of Zion January 2026 - Editorial -- In a world where success is often measured by likes, titles, money and recognition, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Yet God’s Word calls us to a higher standard: faithfulness to Him. In Colossians 3, we are called to let every task we undertake become an act of love toward God. Apostle Paul reminds us that our purpose is not found in who notices our work, but in for whom we do it. Every task – every r

Arvin Pirness  |  The Voice of Zion January 2026 - News & Notes -- As a New Year begins, we often pause to look back and remember the events and blessings of the past year. We also look ahead, making plans and preparations for the work that lies before us. Reflecting on the year behind us, it is heart-warming to see the support and generosity of believers in aiding the work of God’s kingdom. Without this support, our efforts would fall short of the needs. Looking forward, we

Lynnae Ylioja  |  The Shepherd’s Voice  December 2025/January 2026 - Home and Family Article –   Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial – James 1:12 (NIV) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation – James 1:12 (KJV)   When you read this Bible verse in two different versions, you may notice different words being used. One version uses the word   trial and the other uses the word temptation. The Bible was written in other languages long ago, so when it is translated i

The Voice of Zion December 2025 - Home and Family Articles --  Music shapes our lives in ways words alone cannot. A melody can carry memories, comfort the weary heart, or awaken gratitude and praise. In homes, cars, choirs, and sanctuaries, believers turn to song as a gift from God – whether in moments of joy or sorrow. Our Songs and Hymns of Zion become prayers on our lips and sermons that travel with us wherever we go.  At Christmastime especially, music gathers us. Childre

Arvin Pirness  |  The Voice of Zion December 2025 - News & Notes --  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14  The peace of Christmas is not found in earthly calm, but in the heavenly gift of faith. The child of God rejoices in the peace that comes when hearts rest in Christ, not in the things of this world. I pray that this peace can bring you comfort and joy this Christmas time.  Updates on LLC Activities Global Mission Work  The

Jim Frantti  |  The Voice of Zion December 2025 - The Sabbath Word 4 Article --  Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have

The Voice of Zion December 2025 - Editorial --  Christmas brings people together who may not sit around the same table any other time of year. Some relatives share our faith; others do not. We may sit across from someone who once believed and no longer does, or someone carrying wounds we cannot see. Quiet tension may rise in moments like these. We feel pressure to say something – to defend what we believe, to “speak truth,” or to rescue a drifting soul in one conversation.  I

Lance Clarke | The Voice of Zion December 2025 - Column --  Christmas often begins with lights in the streets, stores filled with shoppers, and Christmas music everywhere we go. The season can feel joyful, yet it can also bring stress, exhaustion, and financial pressure. We may sense that Christmas has drifted from its original purpose – to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Commercialism reaches into our homes and hearts, nudging us to pause and re

The first supplement to Songs and Hymns of Zion (2008) is available digitally as of November 14, 2025. This release marks a significant milestone in the ongoing hymnal development work of the Laestadian Lutheran Church. It brings together familiar melodies, newly translated texts, and brand-new songs written by believers from across North America. A Continuing Story of Song When Songs and Hymns of Zion was published in 2008, it gathered more than six hundred hymns cherished b

Aaron Anderson | The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - The Sabbath Word 4 Article -- I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and th

Keith Kariniemi | The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - Bible Class Lesson -- Synopsis: When Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, he took a longer route through Galilee and Samaria. When passing through a village, ten men who were sick with leprosy cried out for mercy, standing at a distance because of their disease. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest, and as they went, they were miraculously healed. Only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks

The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - Editorial -- We live in a time when harsh words are never far away. We hear them in conversations, read them in headlines, and see them on our screens: voices urging us to despise those who think differently, to regard those who hold another view as enemies. These voices can confuse us. Our old nature is quick to echo the world’s anger, and repaying hatred with hatred can feel natural.  Yet amid these, there is another voice – sometimes fain

The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - Home & Family Articles -- Luther wrote, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” Such faith cannot remain hidden – it naturally confesses, whether by word, deed, or quiet steadfastness in everyday life.  In a world that often misunderstands or rejects faith, believers may feel hesitant to speak openly about what they believe. Yet Jesus promises, “Whosoe

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - News & Notes Article -- As families across the United States gather for Thanksgiving, we do so mindful of the season that soon follows – Advent and Christmas. These weeks invite us first to thank God for the priceless gift of faith, and then for the daily provisions which He provides us. In this gratitude, the the hearts of God’s children are prepared for the celebration of our Savior’s birth.  It is my hope and prayer that o

Kolet Simonson   |  The Shepherd’s Voice  October/November 2025 - Home and Family Article –   Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. – Ps. 32:1   Some of the words in this Bible verse are words that we know, while others might be ones that we haven’t heard before. Let’s take a look at the words.   Blessed  is a word we may hear at services. In simple words, to be blessed is to be fortunate or lucky. We could say we are blessed or lucky to have ou

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - News & Notes Article -- In October, the focus at the LLC office turns to planning. We...

Tommi Kinnunen | The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - Round the Table Article -- Struggling with mental health – such as depression – can...