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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 by believers. In the years since, new hymns have continued to be written and translated. Rather than republishing the entire hymnal, the LLC Hymnal Committee plans to issue periodic supplements – compact collections that reflect the living faith and creative gifts of God’s children. This first supplement, Supplement 1 (701–713), represents that effort’s first public expression. It includes thirteen hymns: two well-known English hymns, three translations from Finnish, one from 16th-century German, and seven original lyrics with eight original melodies written by believers from across North America. “These hymns represent many moments in the life of faith,” the editors write in the introduction. “They may be used wherever believers gather, including in the service broadcast.” Themes and Sounds of Faith The new hymns span the seasons and experiences of Christian life – Christmas, Epiphany, Morning and Evening, Praise and Repentance, even poetic reflections on God’s providence. Some are light and familiar, while others are deeply contemplative and new. Among them is “Christmas Peace (In the world of sin)” (701), which opens with the line: “In the world of sin we seek peace within, peace to rid all hearts of hate and malice, calling souls to Christ and His forgiveness” (v.1). The hymn continues with a prayer that “the Word of Christmas night spread on earth its peace and light.” This spirit of God-given, gospel-centered peace and renewal echoes through many of the new works. Where to Find the New Hymns All hymns in Supplement 1 are available digitally in the LLC Songbook app. To access them, open the app and look for hymns 701–713. If you do not yet have the app, search for “LLC Songbook” in your device’s app store (look for the logo with three flying golden birds on a white background). Purchase Songs and Hymns of Zion within the app to unlock all songs, including the new supplement. The older SHZ Hymnal app will not receive new supplements due to outdated technology. For Musicians and Congregations The 2025 Hymnal Supplement Chorale Book, containing printable musical arrangements, is also available for digital download at llchurch.org/shop . These accompaniment arrangements may be used for choir, congregational, or instrumental purposes. Some congregations may still be using an older version of the desktop hymnal to project song words for congregational singing. To be able to project songs from the new hymnal supplement, it may be necessary to purchase the new (launched in 2021) desktop version of the app. For more information, and to purchase the desktop app, visit laulukirja.srk.fi/en/ Feedback on lyrics, melodies, and harmonizations is warmly welcomed through the online form at   llchurch.org/shz-feedback-form . Those who wish to submit new hymn texts or compositions for consideration in future supplements can do so at llchurch.org/submit-music . Looking Ahead Going forward, the Hymnal Committee plans to release new supplements annually each autumn, ensuring that the shared collection of songs of faith and our journey continues to grow and reflect the lived experiences of believers across generations. In the words of the project team, “May God bless all who sing, play, and hear these hymns.”

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 faint, sometimes drowned out by the clamor. It is the voice of Christ, calling His disciples: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matt. 5:44).  This love is not weakness. It is not shallow tolerance or approval of evil. Rather, it reflects the mercy of the Father, “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good” (Matt. 5:45). Luther taught that the Fifth Commandment forbids not only violence but also “anger, hatred, and envy.” More than that, it calls us to help and befriend our neighbor, even when that neighbor seems an enemy. To entrust judgment to God and respond with kindness rather than revenge – these are not signs of weakness; they are fruits of faith that reflect Christ’s love.  But how can we hear Christ’s voice above the world’s noise? We can visit with other believers and find encouragement in fellowship. We can ask for forgiveness of our sins and vain thoughts, and believe again the gospel of grace. We can gather at services, tune into daily devotions, listen to hymns on Hearken , or pause for prayer. Even a fast from social media may quiet the world’s shouting so that Christ’s gentle call comes through more clearly.  In the online world, keeping faith and good conscience can be especially trying; choosing who we follow calls for discernment. The old adage reminds us, “You become like the company you keep.” In our time, this includes the voices we hear on our screens. Our nature is to become mirrors, reflecting the energy – positive or negative – of those who influence us. Do we pause often enough to ask what kind of light we are reflecting? Does it align with Christ’s teaching, or does it carry elements foreign to living faith – elements that, if allowed to grow, may keep us from loving our neighbor? Jesus’ great commandment calls us to love God and love one another. What do we gain if we cling to an ideology that suits us, but lose the freedom to be vessels of Christ’s love to all fellow humans, even causing others to hesitate to approach us to discuss matters of faith?  Feeling inclined to hate is not new. Paul wrote: “Recompense to no man evil for evil… If it be possible, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:17,18). He urged believers not to avenge themselves, but to trust God as judge: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). Instead, he reminded them: “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink” (Prov. 25:21). The conclusion is clear: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).  In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”; we want to love our neighbor – not hate or detest them. Luther echoed this truth: “If you are God’s child, then show yourself to be one by doing good even to those who would hurt you.” He also reminded us that such love cannot arise from human strength: “No one can do this out of natural powers. It must come from a heart made new by faith through the Holy Ghost.” Left to ourselves, we are vengeful. But when we remember that we would ourselves be God’s enemies were we not forgiven for Christ’s sake, then a new heart is given, capable of mercy.  When we hear voices urging hatred, let us answer instead the loving call of Christ. Let us turn often to the places where that call grows stronger, until it shapes our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Christ alone is the Truth and the Way, through whom we have the hope of heaven (John 14:6).

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, falling at Jesus’ feet to praise Him. Jesus asked him where the others were and then told this Samaritan that his faith had made him whole.  Bible text:  Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” – Luke 17:11–19 Key Words: Leprosy  – A terrible skin disease that caused sores and damage to the body. People with leprosy were forced to live apart from others. It was thought to be very contagious and had no cure during Jesus’ time.  Samaritan  – A person from Samaria, a region north of Judea. Jewish people often looked down on Samaritans and did not consider them equals, but Jesus showed that God’s mercy and love extended to them too.  Priests  – In Jesus’ time, priests were responsible not only for temple worship but also for declaring whether someone was clean or unclean (see Leviticus 14). That’s why Jesus told the lepers to go show themselves to the priests.  Introduction: Jesus performed many miracles during His public ministry. These signs helped people believe that He truly was the Son of God and pointed them to the gospel message of the forgiveness of sins. In this account, Jesus healed ten men from their physical disease, but He also brought spiritual healing to the one who returned in faith to give thanks. This miracle reminds us of the importance of thanking God for all that He does for us. Most of all, we want to thank Him for the gift of living faith and His grace that saves us. Main Points: Be Thankful to God for Everything.  Only one of the ten healed lepers returned to thank Jesus. His gratitude showed the living faith in his heart. Jesus said his faith – not just his words – made him truly well and acceptable to God.  No One Is Too Low for God’s Grace. The one who returned was a Samaritan, a group despised by the Jews. Yet God’s grace reached him, showing that no one is beyond God’s mercy. He was the only one who showed fruits of faith, returning to thank and praise God for the miracle of his healing.  Faith Comes First, Fruits Follow. It was the Samaritan’s faith that made him whole; his praise and thanksgiving flowed naturally from that faith of the heart as its fruit.  Turn to God When You Need Help. All ten cried out to Jesus and were healed. God hears when we call to Him in our need, even with problems that seem incurable.  Many Hear God’s Word, but Few Believe.  The nine lepers received healing but did not return to Jesus. They are like the rocky soil in the parable of the sower – receiving God’s help for a moment but quickly forgetting Him. The Samaritan, however, showed the “good soil,” where faith took root and bore fruit in thankfulness and worship.  Conclusion: This miracle of the healing of the ten lepers teaches us many things, but most important is that the man was saved by faith. It is also important to be thankful to God for all that He does for us, His children. He bestows His grace upon us, blessing us in innumerable ways; first and foremost by forgiving us our sins. We do not want to go our own way in our blessings, departing from God, rather we must always remember where everything comes from. It is a precious matter that we have thankful hearts and that we bring our hearts to God in praise and thanksgiving. This thankfulness is a fruit of faith, and one that comes from keeping faith and good conscience.   Discussion: How can we thank and praise God in our everyday lives? What are some ways to show thankfulness?  When should we thank and praise God? Is it only when something good happens in our lives, or also at other times?  What does this story show us about who is good enough to merit God’s grace? Are there people who are ever too lowly to become heaven-acceptable?

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The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) is the central organization of Laestadian Lutheran churches in North America. The website provides information about our faith, mission, organization, and activities. Welcome to our website and welcome to our services! YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVES GOOD THINGS TO THEM THAT ASK HIM. MATTHEW 7:11 LAESTADIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) is the central organization of Laestadian Lutheran churches in North America. The website provides information about our faith, mission, organization, and activities. Here you will find an overview of our publications and links to member congregations. Welcome to our website and welcome to our services! Donate New Hymnal Supplement Now Available 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. Read more about this supplement here. Attention Hearken Users! Some users have occasionally reported usability issues with Hearken, especially on Android devices. We have created a form to help us collect information on these issues, so they can continue to be looked into and solved. If you have experienced issues while using the Hearken app, please take a moment to fill out the form at this link: https://forms.gle/Ht7x5phU2w9C1ptA6 Thank you! We value your feedback. International Mission Work Website Every month, tens of thousands of people search the internet for how sins can be forgiven, where the kingdom of God is and what repentance means. To help searching ones find God’s kingdom, and as a means of performing mission work in a digital space, the SRK, SFC and LLC have now launched a new website: kingdomofpeace.net Read more about this new website here. Hearken – Our Publications App Read New Hymnal Supplement Now Available: Songs 701–713 Added to the LLC Songbook App 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 News & Notes Nov 18 The Everlasting Kingdom 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Oct 31 Jesus Cleanses the Ten Lepers 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Oct 31 Love Your Enemies 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Oct 31 Confessing Our Faith in the World 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 Home & Family Oct 31 1 2 3 4 5 Shop Quick View Time for Words Quick View CD # 81 A Morn of Song Quick View Wait Upon the Lord: Annual Anthology 2024 Quick View CD # 79 Shield Me Forever Quick View In the Shelter of the Hill Quick View God Is So Good - Book and CD Combo Follow us on Instagram @laestadianlutheran Load More On YouTube Play Video Play Video 07:25:42 LLC Summer Services 2025 - Sunday 7/6 Welcome to the 2025 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Summer Services! The 2025 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Summer Services will be held at Jim Kook Recreation Complex in Outlook, SK, Canada. The Service motto: “Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) The services will begin Thursday, July 3 and end Sunday, July 6. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/2025-summer-services Play Video Play Video 01:33:30 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 2:00 PM Pre-Service Song 147 Virsi 357 Sermon: Tero Lehtola (translation Tommi Kinnunen) SHZ 405a Concluding Announcements Closing Services: Roger Plough SHZ 353 SHZ 220a Play Video Play Video 01:52:11 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 11:55 AM (studio) Approx. 11:55 am: Radio for Kids – Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit Live Interview – LLC Greetings Hear My Prayer – The Benediction Joyful Voices – Grandfather and Grandson Share Reasons for Joy Youth – Big Brothers and Big Sisters Hear My Prayer – Contentment Play Video Play Video 01:28:25 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 10:30 AM Pre-Service Song 164 Virsi 618 Sermon: Ilmari Korhonen (translation Andrew Hotari) SHZ 484 Sermon / Prayers of Intercession: Art Harju SHZ 377 Play Video Play Video 13:31 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 9:50 AM (studio) Interview with Radio for Kids’ Young Workers and Moms (Pre-Recorded) Play Video Play Video 45:15 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School: Brian Johnson Play Video Play Video 01:02:10 2025 LLC Summer Services - Sunday 8:30 AM (studio) How We Believe – Sober Living is Part of Christian Morality Hold My Hand – Living Far Away from Believers Hear My Prayer – Trials 5th Year Anniversary of LLC Broadcast – Tammi Hendrickson Play Video Play Video 11:55:01 LLC Summer Services 2025 - Saturday 7/5 Welcome to the 2025 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Summer Services! The 2025 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Summer Services will be held at Jim Kook Recreation Complex in Outlook, SK, Canada. The Service motto: “Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) The services will begin Thursday, July 3 and end Sunday, July 6. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/2025-summer-services

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