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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 works within these everyday relationships. From establishing a “church within the home,” to gently guiding teens, to recognizing the influence of older siblings, each writer points to the same experience: faith is nurtured in love, forgiveness, and the shared gospel that softens hearts and binds families together. Together, these writings form a portrait of faith shared across the family system: Parents, through marriage, prayer, Scripture, instruction, and forgiveness Teens, through guided independence and faith conversations Older siblings, through example, patience, and daily choices All contribute to a home where faith is lived, taught, and shared – imperfectly but sustained by the Spirit. Our Calling – and God’s Work As parents, siblings, and caregivers, we teach, guide, pray, and set boundaries because God has called us to this work. Yet Scripture reminds us that faith and growth are God’s gifts, not our achievements. St. Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6,7). This frees us from believing that everything depends on our strength or skill. We carry out our duties in love, trusting the Holy Spirit to work when and how He wills. Luther comforts parents in the Catechism with the truth that “we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ… but the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel.” The same Spirit who calls us also calls our children. So we keep doing what we are called to do – imperfectly, yet in faith – trusting that our labor in the Lord is not in vain, and also not dependent solely on us. This is a deep comfort to those of us who know our own weaknesses, limits, and failings so well. Our role: faithfully nurture. God’s role: create and sustain faith. This brings deep peace: we walk in our calling, and God Himself tends the heart. The Church within Our Home Sara Westerinen “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). This verse of the Bible came to mind when I heard the phrase “the church within our house.” Being blessed with my husband Bruce began our shared home congregation three years ago. It is something special indeed to be able to talk and share everything – the good and the hard. The joys and sorrows are both multiplied, but we carry the loads together, and the burdens that are hard to bear are eased. The gospel makes marriage so beautiful. God is always with us in our own little congregation, and His Spirit also teaches through us now as parents. Since becoming a mother, I have realized how easy it is to get caught up in the minutiae of motherhood and forget what is most important – where to draw strength, and also to remember thankfulness when things are good. I often find myself whispering prayers to God when my day is tough and I struggle with worries about health and prosperity. I think that contentment and thankfulness are a huge part of the church within our home. Song of Zion 374, verse 3 says, “Contentment, Lord, I find in Thee; my heart in blessed peace can be. In all the woe and pain I bear, Thou art my helper – Thou art there.” I would liken contentment to peacefulness, and as such, it brings great joy and a happy home. The gift of living faith is exactly that – a gift. We can teach our children to learn about and praise our Heavenly Father through His Word in the Bible as well as the hymns that we sing. We pray that our children would always remain in faith and be tenderhearted. Singing is truly the simplest form of worship, and it gives so much peace. We have been blessed with a wide variety of beautiful songs in our hymnal. God has also given us His guidance, instruction, comfort, and loving rebuke throughout the Bible. In Deuteronomy 6:7 it says, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” We have a duty to our children to teach and guide them in God’s kingdom. God is a God of love, grace, mercy, truth, and forgiveness. Jesus suffered and died on the cross and arose victorious for us and our sins so that we never need to die in unbelief. His love for all humankind is unending, and God sent Him to save us. We plant seeds of living faith in our sweet babies by teaching them about our Creator, our Savior, and the preaching of the forgiveness of sins. We plant, and God gives the increase. We teach our children that we have freedom from our sins. We all fall into temptation, yet we can have freedom from our failings and be given the strength to continue on our way to Heaven. When troubles come, we are instructed to teach our loved ones about right and wrong. God’s grace allows hearts to change. May God instill a desire to follow His Word and hunger for the Gospel. Watching Mom and Dad exchange the message gives peace to the family and teaches our children through example. Ending the day with the gospel creates the softest pillow for us all to sleep on. May we always depend on God the way our babies depend on us.  Adolescents Need Parental Guidance Joy Huotari  What does “adolescent” mean? The Oxford Languages Dictionary states that an adolescent is “a young person in the process of developing from a child to an adult.” According to the National Institutes of Health, this spans from puberty to the mid-twenties. It is important for adolescents to be allowed a level of independence and given the opportunity to both succeed and fail in their efforts. However, this can be confusing and difficult to navigate alone. As parents, it is our Christian duty to give guidance through these years. The Sacrament of Baptism exhorts parents: “Rear your children in love and truth in God’s Kingdom; carry them in your prayers that they would be protected as children of God their entire lifetime. Remember also that the source of power for your own faith-life, as well as for the care and rearing of your children, is in that gospel.” The gospel comforts both parent and child. The Bible instructs, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4, NIV). This is a reminder to guide gently and lovingly. As believing parents, the best we can do is raise our children in faith – bringing them to church, Sunday School, and keeping our home Zion a haven of love, forgiveness, and clear instruction. We can prayerfully continue the work of planting the seeds of faith firmly within our children’s hearts while remembering that God gives the increase, even as they continue the road to adulthood. “O Shepherd, guide our children with gentle hands of love; and keep our loved ones near You, protect them from above” (Song of Zion 428, verse 4). As a mother of grown children as well as adolescents, I can say I have at times been faulty – harsh, watchful, controlling, and conversely, wearily lenient. I have been a weak parent who has needed to hear the gospel repeatedly. The forgiveness of sins is something we never outgrow, no matter what age! This forgiveness daily restores us and allows us to keep parenting in hope. The ABCs of faith do not end when our children are little. Adolescence opens a whole new chapter of life with complex questions and a testing of boundaries once easily accepted by our little ones. “When can I get my own cell phone? Why do I need to be home by 10 o’clock? What’s wrong with this skirt? It is not too short! Why do I need to go to haps when none of my friends are going?” And so on. It is humbling to recognize that as our children grow and their independence reaches new levels, we cannot prevent them from making bad choices and mistakes. But we can control how we respond to these moments. Do we create an environment that welcomes open conversation in our home? Do our children feel the consequences for “coming clean” are too severe? Are we approachable as parents who also sin and humbly need to have sins washed away? Are we quick to assume the worst of our teens? Or do we swing to the opposite extreme and feel, “OUR kids surely would never do something like that?” Perhaps you, along with me, have experienced times of much worry for your teens – wanting so badly to guide and instruct in the right ways, even suffering sleepless nights and tearful days. When our fears become bigger than our faith, it is a comfort to be reminded that “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Cor. 3:7). This promise frees us from believing everything solely depends on us.   A Visit with My Adult Son Having experienced and matured beyond the adolescent years, how did you feel about being parented as a teen? I definitely thought some of the rules and guidance were too much at times. I didn’t always understand why things had to be a certain way or why there was so much focus on doing the “right” thing. At the time, it felt like it limited my freedom. Did you feel the instruction and guidance at the time was too much, unappreciated, or overbearing? Honestly, all the above. It’s difficult as a teen to look forward when immediately surrounded by so much change and worldly influence. I saw it as overbearing at the time, but looking back, I realize it came from love and a desire to protect me and keep me grounded in faith. Now in retrospect, how have those feelings changed? They’ve changed completely. As I’ve grown older, I see that the structure and morals you instilled gave me direction when life got confusing. It’s that foundation that’s helped me make good choices and stay steady through challenges. Being a father yourself now, what do you feel is important guidance for your own children as they grow into adolescence? Now that I’m a dad, I see how important it is to give my kids the same kind of grounding – teaching them faith, morals, and respect for others. I want to guide them with love but also give them room to learn and grow. The goal isn’t to control them, but to help them build a strong enough foundation that they can go out and experience the world with confidence, carrying those values with them and knowing the difference between right and wrong.   The Role of an Older Sibling Claire Niemela, age 14 “Stop!” the high-pitched voice of my younger sister tears through the house, reaching my ears as she continues, “Claire doesn’t like it when you do that!” I sigh, closing my eyes. It sounds like someone didn’t get the exact shade of crayon they wanted. While it can be annoying, moments like this remind me what an impact I have on my siblings as the oldest. It’s both a compliment and a reminder that my actions and words mean a lot. Being the oldest of a family of nine (or any number!) can be hard. The responsibility placed upon a person in that position is generally large and can be demanding. And while it may not seem like my mom or dad sees all I am doing, it helps them out in ways I can’t always imagine. I may not be thanked for every little job I do, but there are times when my parents take the time to tell me how helpful it is to have me there. Many times in my life, when I’ve been told to do a job or watch the kids, I’ve grumbled and unenthusiastically gone off to do it while the younger ones watch. While I don’t realize it at the time, my actions shape what my younger siblings do in a similar situation. Watching a younger kid grumble about having to do a job – and feeling annoyed that they won’t just simply listen – is normal now, but a lot of times I have to stop and think about what I was doing at their age. And no, it isn’t okay to not listen to Mom or Dad, kids, but I do need to be more thoughtful about the ways to get the kids to listen and do their job in less than forty-eight hours. Just the other day, while I was speaking to my younger sister about getting her job done, she told me, “You were like this at my age.” And while I would like to deny this, I can’t…because she’s right. Most people at that age don’t like to listen, especially if they see an older sibling doing the same. Even now, while I try to do my jobs without complaint, sometimes I feel myself beginning to grumble when I’m called down to do dishes right in the middle of a book. Alongside this, when my parents see me or another child doing a job or task without complaint, this is noted, and eventually it can lead to them giving me more freedom. I know that when my mom is faced with a disobedient child, her first instinct is to discipline them and give them more jobs to complete. However, when she sees a kid repeatedly do jobs well and without complaint, she is more inclined to reward them with something like a small treat or thanks. And when I, as the oldest child, am rude or do not listen, my parents see me differently and are therefore stricter on me, which reduces my freedoms. Another impact I think about more often now as I get older is the respect my younger siblings have for me. Often, I find myself angry and yelling at whoever is doing something that annoys me, and the impacts of that anger are soon shown when whoever was the target of my yelling is less likely to listen because their respect for me has dwindled in the face of my anger. But when I keep my anger in and speak in a gentler way, explaining what needs to be done and how to do it, that kid is more likely to respond positively because they aren’t as defensive. And even further on in life, that child may be more likely to come to me when needing help because they can trust that I won’t just blow up at them. So, while it may not seem like that big of a deal to me when I do something that isn’t exactly nice or necessary, it really is. My actions make a significant impact on how my parents and siblings see me as a person, and those actions can influence how others act in similar situations. Being the oldest can be hard, but seeing the impact I can have on my siblings and parents is a reward that many don’t have the opportunity to see.  Discussion questions What does “the church within our home” mean to you, and how have you seen faith lived out in ordinary daily moments? How do parents, older siblings, and even young children influence the spiritual and emotional tone of a home through their example – both in strengths and in struggles? The Baptismal Covenant calls parents to rear their children in love and truth. How does this calling take shape in different seasons of childhood and adolescence, and what support does the gospel give for this work? Adolescence brings new freedoms and questions. What kinds of guidance seem most helpful during this stage, and how can parents offer it in a way that builds trust rather than tension? Many homes try to balance structure with independence. What approaches have helped maintain that balance in your family or experience, and what tends to disrupt it? The writers spoke about “planting seeds of faith.” When have you noticed moments – whether quickly or years later – when those seeds seemed to grow, and what does this suggest about God’s timing and the Spirit’s work? Forgiveness exchanged within the home – between parents, siblings, or across generations – can be powerful. How does witnessing this shape a child’s or teen’s understanding of God’s grace? Scripture reminds us that “God gives the increase.” How does this promise bring comfort when we feel our limits as parents, siblings, or caregivers trying to nurture faith?

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 teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:18–21, NIV Isaiah was a prophet during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His ministry began around 740 BC, the year Uzziah died, and lasted through the reigns of the others. Isaiah’s relationship with King Hezekiah was especially important, as he served as his top advisor. The text was written during a siege of Jerusalem, and its message of hope contrasts with the earlier part of the chapter, which declares woe unto those who have fallen away. Chapter 30 is part of the Woe Oracles (Chapters 28–33), declarations of divine judgment and lamentation that often begin with the word “woe” and warn individuals or nations for their wrongdoing and defiance of God’s commandments. It was a time of fear for the people of Jerusalem and Judah, marked by political unrest. The Assyrians, known as the first major world power, terrorized the ancient Near East through a brutal campaign of conquest. The Assyrian king Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 BC occurred because Hezekiah joined an anti-Assyrian coalition with Egypt. A Cry to God for Help During great distress, the future becomes uncertain, especially when war threatens from a powerful neighbor. Israel’s history is filled with warfare, and such uncertainty exposes human fragility and our lack of trust in God. Undoubtedly, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem lived in fear during the siege. Among them were believers who also doubted that God is always in control. Their weak faith needed Isaiah’s encouraging words. Throughout history, believers have faced similar desperate situations – war, famine, and pandemics. Feelings of fear, hopelessness, and helplessness have overwhelmed both hearts and minds. When no immediate solution is available, individuals and even entire nations cry out to God for help. A gracious God hears the prayers and cries of His people and responds in His time. He desires His children to bring Him all their cares and promises to hear them as a loving father hears his children. The passage calls blessed those who patiently wait in faith for God’s help. Even in national or global crises, God has often used distress to draw people to His kingdom, leading them to repentance and forgiveness. He has kindled living faith and hope for eternal life in their hearts. Bread of Adversity and the Water of Affliction Isaiah uses the metaphor “bread of adversity and water of affliction” to describe the severe situation in Jerusalem. The bread of adversity is sometimes compared to the rations given to a prisoner. Isaiah recognized that God permitted the siege and the suffering that all inhabitants – believers and unbelievers – experienced. Its purpose was to soften unbelieving hearts and to test the faith of His children. Death and destruction brought by warfare near one’s own home stretch the limits of faith. Doubts may arise about whether God exists or why He allows such calamities to fall on His own children. Our country has not experienced warfare on its soil since the Civil War, but threats of war still trouble Europe, the Middle East, and other regions where believers live. Times of warfare are allowed by God but are caused by Satan (Rev. 20:7,8). Jesus taught that wars and rumors of wars signal the last days, yet we are not to be alarmed (Matt. 24:6,7). This Is the Way, Walk in It Times of distress create doubt and uncertainty about what to do or where to turn. Isaiah reassured the people that in their moment of greatest need, teachers would suddenly appear and guide them, showing them the path. The Good Shepherd’s voice is sometimes a guiding voice leading from the front, and sometimes a tending voice from behind, ensuring that none stray to the left or right of the path. God reveals the way to heaven from His kingdom – through His Spirit and through His servants – who teach, “This is the way; walk in it.”

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, corrects and trains us so that we may live as God’s children. From the very beginning, God intended that His Word would be our guide and comfort. For generations it has shaped the lives of believers, from children learning simple verses to elders drawing strength from familiar passages. The Bible does not merely tell us about God; the Bible is more than information. It is God’s Word that points us to Christ, strengthens faith, and guides us in life. It strengthens and affirms faith in our hearts and shows us His plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. In 2026, we will present various aspects of this book. This is where our journey begins: with the Word itself. The Bible is the foundation for all that follows in the Book of Books. As we move from promises to creation, law, prophecy, psalms, and wisdom, and finally to Christ and the hope of eternity, we will see how the entire story is bound together by this enduring Word.   What is the Bible? The Bible is one book made up of many.  It contains 66 writings: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.  Written over about 1,500 years by more than 40 human authors, it is inspired by God’s Spirit and tells one unified story: salvation through Christ.

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! WHEN THEY SAW THE STAR, THEY REJOICED WITH EXCEEDING GREAT JOY. MATTHEW 2:10 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 Where Faith Takes Root 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 Home & Family Jan 5 Blessed Are All Who Wait for the Lord 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Jan 5 The Word 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Jan 5 Unto the Lord 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 Voice of Zion Featured Articles Jan 5 January 2026 Update 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 News & Notes Jan 5 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

2026 LLC Summer Services Monticello, Minnesota July 2–5 Hosted by the Menahga and Brainerd congregations at Silver Springs. Listen Purchase Meal Tickets Watch Work Shift Sign Up Donate Service Brochure Service Site Map Broadcast Schedule Welcome to 2026 LLC Summer Services! Summer Services will be held at Silver Springs in Monticello, Minnesota, July 2–5, 2026. Menahga and Brainerd serve as host congregations this year. Our motto for the services is “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” (1 John 1:3). Services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and conclude at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. We welcome willing helpers from all North American congregations to sign up for work shifts. SignUpGenius will be our primary forum for organizing help; additional information will be shared soon. We ask for your prayers that God would bless the planning and preparation for these festive services. On behalf of the Summer Services Planning Committee, I extend a warm welcome to everyone! LLC Board of Directors Meeting Services Opening Ceremony Youth Song Services Youth Service LLC Annual Meeting Services Children's Service / Services Song Services Services Congregation Evening (Presentation) Youth Service Services Children's Service / Services Song Services Communion Service Services Youth Evening (Presentation) Sunday School Services Closing Service Service Schedule Thursday, July 2 9:00 3:00 6:00 9:30 10:00 Friday, July 3 9:00 10:30 2:00 4:00 4:30 7:00 10:00 Saturday, July 4 9:00 10:30 1:30 2:00 6:00 8:30 Sunday, July 5 9:30 10:30 2:00 Food Service Food service will be similar to prior years at Silver Springs. Lunch and supper menus will include a variety of grill options, pizza, and salads. For those staying on site, a continental breakfast will be available for purchase. Coffee and concessions will be available throughout the weekend. A detailed menu and ticket purchase information will be published at a later date and made available online at www.llchurch.org . Lodging Information Onsite RV Parking and Tenting The RV camping area has a total of 270 sites. Members with long-term reservations will be given preference to early site selection. Forty one-time RV reservations ($250 each) will be available for selection and purchase on March 2 at 12:00 CST. Tent camping is available south of the main service area on the property of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello. As in previous years, non-electric RV sites ($100 each) will be available for reservation beginning in March 2026. Hotels There are many hotels within a 15-mile radius of the service site. Options include: Super 8 by Wyndham – Monticello Best Western Plus Chelsea Hotel – Monticello AmericInn / AmericInn by Wyndham – Monticello Riverwood Inn or Becker Inn & Suites – Becker Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Buffalo / Elk River Hampton Inn & Suites – Rogers Camping (Off-Site) Early registration is highly recommended. Nearby camping options include: Oaks on the River – Big Lake Bertram Chain of Lakes Campground – Wright County Minneapolis Northwest KOA Journey – Maple Grove Clearwater RV Park – Clearwater BACK TO TOP

Events Member Congregations Camps & Courses The LLC sponsors annual national worship service events, the largest being Winter Services and Summer Services. Annual Summer Services Summer Services are held annually around the United States 4th of July holiday. The weekend events also include LLC Board Meetings, a Ministers and Board Members meeting, a Youth Presentation, and the LLC Annual Meeting. The services are held in different geographic areas each year. The schedule for future year’s Summer Services is as follows: 2026: July 2–5 || East-Central (Menahga at Silver Springs) 2027: July 1–4 || East-Central (Toronto) 2028: June 29–July 2 || East-Central (Elk River at Silver Springs) 2029: July 5–8 || Northwest (TBD) 2030: July 4–7 || East-Central (Cokato at Silver Springs) Annual Winter Services Winter Services are hosted annually by the Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church, with assistance from the other area congregations. 2026: February 19–22