The Voice of Zion October 2026 - Home and Family articles -- God’s perfect plan for our lives unfurls around us. From the finely tuned stages of growth to the motion of the cosmos, we see His handiwork. His dexterity is also evident in the shape of the human lifecycle. Nearly every creature on earth bears young from the moment they mature to the moment they die. Some produce the next generation one time as their final act, such as the mayfly and the octopus. But God made humans different in at least two fundamental ways: He made us a living soul, and He limited our season for bearing and rearing young to a few decades in the middle of the “threescore and ten years” the psalmist gives as the expected human lifespan. However, the job of bringing up the next generation does not stop when child-bearing years have ended. Grandparents play a vital role in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They support the family in material ways even when they need support themselves. They are a bright spot in childhood memories and serve as a sounding board for parents who are muddling their way through raising teenagers. They provide stability and a long-term perspective, and bring patience and wisdom born of hard-won experience. Parents usually do the heavy lifting of childrearing. This means that grandparents often fill the role of being the fun ones and their presence often brings a break from the usual family rhythms. Their stories, jokes, games and banter help lighten the mood and add sparkle to the atmosphere. Such light relief is crucial for maintaining the health of a family and home. In other situations, grandparents may be called forward to fill the role of a parent for their grandchildren when parents are unable to do so. As they age, grandparents grow to need additional support themselves. Family dynamics shift as new challenges and frustrations emerge. As everyone adjusts to a new reality, fresh stresses appear, tempers wear thin and sparks may fly. But even when a grandparent is physically or mentally incapacitated, God’s commandment to honor them still stands. The need for respect, empathy, love and the gospel never diminishes. Above all, believing grandparents can share the gospel with their children, grandchildren and others in the home. They set a powerful example for how to be a believer in the world, in the congregation, and in the home. They demonstrate how to age as a believer, showing that the thirst for forgiveness of sins does not fade as years go by. Many a childhood involves memories of grandparents carrying forward family traditions, such as reading the Christmas gospel, singing songs and hymns of Zion, preaching the gospel and discussing the way and journey of faith. Here, believers from Toronto share thoughts, experiences and memories of grandparenthood and living in multi-generational homes. Four Changing Generations, One Unchanging Word Courtney Mikkola This summer, we were able to visit family and stand with four living generations all together; not once, but twice over the span of only a few days. We began in Bradford, Ontario, where we spent time with my husband’s parents and grandfather, who is 95 years old. There, we gathered our four children around their great-grandfather for a photo: four generations of our family standing together in one place. A few days later, we found ourselves in Ishpeming, Michigan, visiting my parents and grandfather, who is 91. There, we took another four-generation photo. Visiting with grandparents and great-grandparents is a special blessing. We talked about the joys and struggles of believing and heard many stories about the old days. The kids were able to experience how life 80–90 years ago was so different to today. They marveled that Great-Grandpa Dan’s house was built by their great-great-grandfather! But most importantly, we could preach the gospel to each other. Our grandparents have lived a long life and have been through lots of changes over the years. But they remind us God’s Word is unchanging: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). It is comforting to hear this from men who have lived over nine decades through the same struggles of believing and life as we do today. And still today they turn to the same source of comfort as they did years ago: the living Word of God and the forgiveness of sins. From Each Generation On Multigeneration Family Life Enriches, Encourages and Edifies Elisa Laikola This past summer, I found the book of poems, Aina uutena nouseva päivä (Always a New Day Rising), that Kaino Pentikainen, my Finnish grandmother, wrote after she retired. One poem especially evokes uplifting thoughts: Olemme kukin aikanamme renkaana sukupolvien ketjussa. Arjen keskellä ihmisinä, mutta taivastoivoa rinnassamme kantaen. Each of us exists in our own moment, as a link in the chain of generations, living everyday life as an everyday person, but holding the hope of heaven in our hearts.* The “circle of life” and the different stages we experience in our lifetime are frequent topics of conversation in our family. A few months ago, my youngest sibling got married, which made my parents empty nesters for the first time. They have twenty grandchildren, and a granddaughter gave birth this past spring to their first great-grandchild. We’ve talked about how important it is to stay connected and communicate online or in-person with our loved ones of different ages. It’s good to share support and guidance while exchanging thoughts and ideas about the present day and reminiscing about the past. This allows us to learn from the generation before as well as the generation to come, and helps us learn to honor, love, respect and value our family and friends. I have admired how my parents diligently helped out Lidia-mummi (my Grandma), especially after Kosti-ukki (my Grandpa) reached heaven’s glory in 1979. Dad was Lidia-mummi’s handyman while Mom showed compassion through the most challenging and busy times with patient, steadfast devotion to her care. Mom took Lidia-mummi to her doctor and dentist appointments and hospital visits and helped her with paperwork. She also taught Lidia-mummi how to drive a car. She was an honored guest in my childhood home. We experienced life in a multigenerational household when I was a year old. My grandparents cared for me each week at their home in Marmora, Ontario, while Mom worked full-time as a teacher. Kosti-ukki passed away when I was five years old, but I still remember sitting in his lap as he talked and sang songs to me, and how his eyes twinkled when he made me laugh. Lidia-mummi was blessed with 95 years of life. Many of her family and friends enjoyed her company as well as her cooking, baking and sewing. We would talk, sit and sing for hours, either in-person or on the phone. When I lived in Finland for eleven years, I would call her regularly and mail surprise packages. She made several pairs of hand-knit mittens and socks for me, which I keep in a “treasure box” and only use on special occasions. It was fascinating to hear stories about Lidia-mummi’s childhood in Estonia, as well as about her love story with Kosti-ukki. Everything happened in less than a year. Kosti was living in Finland and traveled to Estonia for a wedding. There, he met Lidia. After the wedding He returned home but wanted to go back to visit Lidia as soon as he could. On his second visit, they got engaged. On his third visit to Estonia, they got married, in 1938. The newlyweds traveled by ship back to Finland to make their new home. I have golden memories of my other set of grandparents as well. Dad’s parents, Veikko and Kaino, made at least ten trips from Helsinki to Toronto to visit us at my childhood home in Bailieboro, Ontario. They usually stayed for a month or two each time. We spoke Finnish in our home, and I’m grateful that we were able to communicate in a common language with all our grandparents. Veikko-pappa was a minister, and I have many fond memories of listening to his sermons in our childhood church building, as well as going with them to visit the homes of other believers after services. Veikko often spoke about the Bible and taught us a Finnish chant about the minor prophets. It sounded like a galloping horse as he tapped his knee in time to the chant. Even today, I can almost hear his voice floating over the fields of my childhood home at the crack of dawn as he sings his favorite Finnish songs of Zion. My children, Joel and Janika, are fortunate to have spent lots of quality time with their grandparents. Memories of Maret-mummi and Hannu-pappa are vivid in their minds: Hannu-pappa’s “orange boat” rides at the cottage, trips to the Peterborough Zoo, Thanksgiving weekends, Christmas vacations at mummi and pappa’s home, as well as long road trips together. Maret-mummi was born near Joensuu, Finland. In 1957, when she was seven years old, her family moved to Toronto. She talks about her early years in Finland, and the big moving day when they flew over the ocean to Canada, their new homeland. She remembers looking out the train window and waving, teary eyed, as the train left the Joensuu station where many members of the Joensuu congregation had gathered to bid them farewell, singing songs of Zion. Maret also shares fond memories of the Toronto congregation’s early years after it was founded in the late 1950s: the first home services that were held in Toronto, picnics at High Park, and playing hockey or skating outdoors on weekends. Kaija-mummi and Jarmo-pappa, Joel and Janika’s other grandparents, have always lived in faraway Finland. But they still feel close, Kaija-mummi especially. She has visited Canada many times, even staying with us for four months when my husband, Janne, reported for basic training in Nova Scotia and I went back to work full-time. Janne’s military duties have taken him across the world: seven months in the Canadian Arctic, an autumn in Europe, and four months in Africa. In a long-term multigenerational living arrangement, many wonderful memories are formed. My children will cherish forever the hiking excursions, as well as the road trips to Ottawa, Niagara Falls and Florida. Kaija-mummi reads to them in Finnish. She plays board games and helps them carve pumpkins after a trip to the pumpkin patch. Last summer, Joel flew to Finland without us for the first time. Kaija-mummi & Jarmo-pappa took him around the Finnish cities of Tampere and Turku, and Jarmo-pappa took him into the forest to pick blueberries for the first time. A dear friend wrote a poem that nicely captures how each generation helps the next: We are walking along a road, a long road. A road of life. The road is narrow, it bends, it goes over rough places, it goes over hills and through valleys. Sometimes the sun shines and sometimes it hides behind the clouds. Sometimes there are big storms on our journey, on this long road. This road we walk along brings us to many places. To some of us, it brings over the great seas. We build bridges along this road, and we share memories that last a lifetime. We are travelers, traveling as believers on this journey of faith. Hold tight onto your faith, for through faith, we have the assurance that one day, we will meet on heaven’s shore.** May we continue to stay connected with our dear loved ones, grandparents included, sharing precious moments that ripen into golden memories. May we tell the stories of those that have walked before us, keeping their legacy alive in our families. May we always treasure the gift of faith as we journey to our eternal home in heaven. *Pentikäinen, Kaino (1995). Poem excerpt from Aina uutena nouseva päivä. Helsinki, Finland: Gummerus. Translated from the Finnish. **Poem by Sheena Simonson. Printed by permission. Discussion Questions: How can we show care and respect to elders? What can we do to develop close bonds with our grandparents? What hobbies or skills can grandparents teach the younger generation? How can elders be escorts to young people in their walk of faith? How can young people be escorts to elders? Should we try to keep the legacy of prior generations alive? Why? What can we learn from our parents and grandparents and their life experience?

Adrian Pirness | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - Mission Work Field Notes -- The first mission trips to Togo in Africa and Ecuador took place in 2000. God has blessed and guided the work throughout the years. In 2022 and 2023, discussions were held about how to organize the growing work, and a new organizational model began functioning in 2024. Kimmo Puolitaival, chair of the organization’s Steering Group, reflects on the work today: “We have experienced God’s great blessing in the work. God has bestowed many gifts for this work, which is carried out primarily by volunteers. More than 300 brothers and sisters participate in various roles. Most importantly, we have experienced how God’s Holy Spirit works: He calls people into His kingdom, opens His Word, unites God’s children in mutual faith, and comforts and advises us. We are sowers; God gives the growth. The future of the work is in God’s hands. Our prayer is that His will may happen.” Steering Group The Steering Group is responsible for overall coordination of the Global Mission Work of the LLC, SRK and SFC. Its members include board members from each organization and LLC and SRK staff members responsible for mission work. The group prepares an annual action plan and budget for approval by the boards of each participating organization and coordinates the Teams that support the various facets of Global Mission Work. Did you know? The Steering Group also arranges international seminars and workshops. The second Ministers Camp for servants of God’s Word in Africa will be held in The Gambia November 28–December 2, 2026. The camp will also include sessions for congregation board secretaries. African Reference Group The African Reference Group is made up of brothers from Africa who meet to discuss doctrinal and spiritual topics that arise in mission work. They also provide important cultural context and guidance regarding organizational and practical matters in their countries. Operational Team The Operational Team supports the mission trips that take place each year. This includes supporting traveling ministers and communicating with mission countries about trip plans and budgets. Together with the Local Activity Support Teams, it also plans meetings, seminars and discussions held during each trip. Did you know? Thirty mission trips are planned for 2026, each about eleven days long. About 55 ministers from North America, Finland and Sweden will participate, along with 5–10 ministers from Africa who will travel to another African country to serve. Local Activity Support Team – Africa The Local Activity Support Team supports activities arranged locally in each country. It works with local committees and boards that arrange services, Bible Class and Sunday school. Global Mission Work funds also support these activities, and the Team helps monitor and implement each country’s budget. Did you know? The Local Activity Support Team for Africa assists with local operations in Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo. Local Activity Support Team – Asia The Local Activity Support Team for Asia supports local work in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Individuals in this region have experienced the call into God’s kingdom and have personally believed their sins forgiven. This newly established Team supports the growing work in the region. Did you know? Much of the work supporting believers in this region is done remotely. Sermons are recorded weekly and shared through various WhatsApp groups, where individuals and groups gather to listen. In one region of Pakistan, live WhatsApp sermons are also arranged each day to support believers and call sinners unto repentance and faith. Facility Team The Facility Team handles requests for facilities that support the activities of believers, including shelters, canopies and church buildings. A designated foreign facilities fund allows individuals to donate specifically to this area of work. Did you know? Recent projects include the church in Accra, Ghana, completed in 2024, and the nearly completed church in Atimé, Togo. The LLC Humanitarian Aid Team also coordinated an individual donation that funded a community well on the Atimé church property. Pastoral Work Team The Pastoral Work Team supports ministers serving in Africa. Remote seminars and discussions are held four times each year. The Team also provides materials to support congregation life, Sacred Acts, weddings and funerals and is developing a series of short writings on doctrinal topics. Did you know? Currently 23 brothers have been called to serve as ministers of God’s Word in African countries. Learning Materials & Education Team The Learning Materials and Education Team develops learning materials for use in mission countries and plans training for teachers who have been asked to serve. Teacher workshops are held in conjunction with mission trips. The Team is currently working on a three-volume series of Bible story lessons titled Friend of Children: Illustrated Bible Lessons. Did you know? There were nearly 400 confirmation students in Africa this year. Four Confirmation Camps were arranged for adults – in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Togo – and three for youth, in Sierra Leone, Kenya and Togo. The Team is developing a standardized curriculum for Confirmation Schools in Africa. Kingdom of Peace – Technical Team The Kingdom of Peace – Technical Team supports the kingdomofpeace.net website and associated Facebook and Instagram platforms. Some website content is now available in French and Spanish. Work is also underway to refine internal AI tools that assist with translation. Did you know? The Kingdom of Peace Facebook page was launched in February 2024. Its content has now been viewed 1.2 billion times, and the page has more than 1 million followers. Kingdom of Peace – Doctrinal Team The Kingdom of Peace – Doctrinal Team responds to contacts and inquiries received through the website and monitors social media comments. Through these communications, individuals have found God’s kingdom and believed their sins forgiven. The Team has also coordinated remote meetings, especially with a group of pastors in India and Nepal who have found God’s kingdom. Did you know? When individuals wish to believe their sins forgiven, they are invited to a WhatsApp group with others who have recently repented. Recorded sermons are shared with the group each week. It currently has about 50 members. Humanitarian Aid Teams The SRK and LLC Humanitarian Aid Teams provide financial assistance to those in dire need. Aid supports health-related expenses, education, funerals and emergency subsistence needs. Most countries have a local Humanitarian Aid Committee that receives requests and distributes funds. Did you know? Humanitarian Aid is funded and operated separately from mission work. This provides a necessary separation between gospel work and individual financial assistance. Donations to support Humanitarian Aid work are welcomed. Communications Team The Communications Team coordinates the sharing of information and news among the Teams supporting Global Mission Work. It publishes an internal newsletter five times each year and contributes to news articles for Voice of Zion, Päivämies, social media and Summer Services radio broadcasts. Did you know? The Communications Team has helped the overall organization in exploring a name that could be used more broadly for Global Mission Work. The goal is a simple, meaningful name that reflects the spiritual purpose of the work, works well across languages and cultures, and can help give the shared work a recognizable identity in communications and publications. Translation & Interpretation Team The Translation & Interpretation Team is preparing a manual for African interpreters, coordinating interpreter and translator training, arranging workshops and communication training for ministers, and supporting language-specific groups. Did you know? Members of the Spanish language group are planning to join the June 2027 mission trip to Ecuador. Plans include a weekend of large services for the Ecuadorian believers.

Kris Ylioja | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - The Sabbath Word 4 -- Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible. – Jeremiah 15:19–21 Our text speaks of repentance, following God’s instructions and allowing His will to be done, and that faith should be the most important matter in this life. God’s promise to help a repentant sinner is sure and everlasting, even in the midst of our earthly trials and temptations. Jeremiah was called by God to preach repentance to the people of Judah, who had fallen into many sinful ways. The book of Jeremiah relates how Jeremiah did not immediately agree to this duty, but God spoke with him to strengthen him. Jeremiah then obediently went and performed that which he was instructed to do. In Jeremiah 15, Jeremiah states that he has done everything that God has commanded him, and yet asks, “Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails” (v. 18). He accuses God of not helping him as was promised, nor as he expected. Doesn’t this sound familiar to us? God Calls Us to Repent When we have accused God as Jeremiah did, the devil has gained a strong hold on our soul. We may feel that we are alone, like Jeremiah. Maybe we think, “If only God would do this for me, I would be much happier.” God urges Jeremiah to repent of this way of thinking: “If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me” (v. 19). With the yet-flickering lamp of faith in our hearts, we can pray to God for His help. We can pray that we would accept into our hearts messages of rebuke. We can visit with other children of God about matters that trouble us, using that grace gift of confession. When we wash our sins and doubts away with the cleansing water of the gospel, then we are able to serve God and His kingdom in the way He intended, free from the weight of sin and doubts. Serve with Humility Have you been asked to do duties in your home congregation? When asked, we may feel our weakness and nervousness, as Jeremiah did. We may even try to make excuses why we should not do these duties. But once we begin serving and become more comfortable in the work, the enemy may tempt us in another way, whispering in our ear, “You are doing a great job.” Let us remember that all things come from God, and all is done to serve Him and His kingdom, not ourselves. God will help us in the duties asked of us, reminding us, as He reminded Jeremiah: to speak words that edify, to stay away from the temptations of this world and to care for those in need. Strength for the Journey God promises that He will be with us in all our battles and that He will deliver us from them: “I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible” (v. 21). God will provide us the strength of an impenetrable brass wall, which no effort of the world may breach. With this strength from God, our faith cannot be taken from us. All we need is to have childlike faith in His plan for each one of us. Martin Luther’s hymn, based on Psalm 46, begins with the words, “A mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty Shield and Weapon; He helps us in our ev’ry need” (SHZ 181:1). This powerful hymn reminds us that our heavenly Father is almighty, all-knowing, and cares for each one of us in our journey of faith. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” As God’s children, we are never alone. We have God watching over us through His Spirit in the congregation of believers here on earth. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of how God blesses us with travel friends to care for our faith. We are also reminded to follow the example that Jesus set as we journey toward our heavenly home. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1,2). This is the solid and sure foundation on which to keep our faith. Dear child of God, keep the instructions from God’s kingdom close to your heart, especially that instruction to put sin away as it attaches in Jesus’ name and blood. We can live in comfort, knowing that the Word of God is sure and everlasting: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).

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 Follow us on Instagram @laestadianlutheran Load More 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. Read Failure, Shame and Starting Again Everyone Makes Mistakes Evan Maki, Carter Dean, Sten Keplinger, Blake Dean, Ian Simonson, Jake Wittenberg | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - Round the Table article -- Everyone makes mistakes and fails. Sometimes our failures can leave us feeling ashamed, humiliated and full of doubt. Shame makes us want to hide our faults and failings. It causes us to feel too embarrassed to seek the comfort of the gospel, and to cover up our sins. But God’s forgiveness gives us hope when Voice of Zion Featured Articles 7 days ago October 2026 Update Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - News and Notes -- The leaves are falling ev’rywhere, and now the larks and swallows that filled with song the summer air have left for warmer meadows. – Song 529, verse 1 October brings the songs and sounds and sights of fall. Leaves have changed color and are dropping to the ground, farmers among us are finishing the harvest, and seasonal work is winding down. This month some congregations host Fall Services or All Saints’ D News & Notes 7 days ago Our God Is Our Mighty Fortress Kris Ylioja | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - The Sabbath Word 4 -- Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save t Voice of Zion Featured Articles 7 days ago Through Every Generation The Voice of Zion October 2026 - Home and Family articles -- God’s perfect plan for our lives unfurls around us. From the finely tuned stages of growth to the motion of the cosmos, we see His handiwork. His dexterity is also evident in the shape of the human lifecycle. Nearly every creature on earth bears young from the moment they mature to the moment they die. Some produce the next generation one time as their final act, such as the mayfly and the octopus. But God made huma Home & Family 7 days ago How Global Mission Work Is Organized Adrian Pirness | The Voice of Zion October 2026 - Mission Work Field Notes -- The first mission trips to Togo in Africa and Ecuador took place in 2000. God has blessed and guided the work throughout the years. In 2022 and 2023, discussions were held about how to organize the growing work, and a new organizational model began functioning in 2024. Kimmo Puolitaival, chair of the organization’s Steering Group, reflects on the work today: “We have experienced God’s great blessi Voice of Zion Featured Articles 7 days ago 1 2 3 4 5 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. Shop Quick View Resolute Quick View The Fall into Sin Quick View Enclosed in His Care: Annual Anthology 2025 Quick View CD # 83 Lift Up Your Eyes Quick View Hymns Ascending Quick View CD # 81 A Morn of Song Hearken – Our Publications App 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. On YouTube Play Video Play Video 03:57:56 2026 LLC Summer Services - Thursday July 2nd 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). The services will begin Thursday, July 2nd and end Sunday, July 5th. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/2026-summer-services Play Video Play Video 01:02:58 Thursday 3pm 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). The services will begin Thursday, July 2nd and end Sunday, July 5th. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/2026-summer-services Play Video Play Video 02:49:00 2026 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Thurs Feb 19th Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services Play Video Play Video 05:56:21 2026 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Sunday Feb 22nd Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services Play Video Play Video 37:21 Winter Services 2026: Marv Wittenberg Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services Play Video Play Video 35:45 Winter Services 2026: Rick Nevala Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services Play Video Play Video 56:15 Winter Services 2026: Adrian Pirness Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services Play Video Play Video 38:55 Winter Services 2026: Juha Alanko Welcome to the 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services! The 2026 Laestadian Lutheran Church Annual Phoenix Winter Services will be held at Phoenix Laestadian Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona. The Service motto: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47) The services will begin Thursday, February 19th and end Sunday, February 22nd. Welcome! https://www.llchurch.org/winter-services

Our Organization The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) is a nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for religious purposes and is qualified as an exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The LLC is the central organization of 32 member Laestadian Lutheran congregations in North America. The operations of the LLC are structured around four main areas of work in serving its membership and promoting its mission (see “Our Mission”). If you have any questions, please Contact Us. The areas of work are defined as follows: Pastoral Work Sacred Acts, pastor support, spiritual counseling, resource to member congregations. Mission Work Domestic and foreign mission trip coordination, supportive resources and media resource development. Christian Education Different programs that teach, instruct and guide both the youth and elderly of our congregation. These include Sunday school, Bible study, confirmation, youth camp programs; educational resources; camp facilities; Opisto scholarship program. Sunday School Teachers Resources A collection of resources designed to assist in instructing Sunday school lessons. Opisto Scholarship Program The LLC has joined with it's sister organization, the SRK, to provide 14 annual scholarships for students to attend one of three schools in Finland. Publications The LLC publishes a variety of publications to support the work of the LLC in furtherance of its Mission Statement, nurturing lives of faith and preaching the message of salvation through the redemption work of Jesus Christ. Publications include periodicals, books and music and audio products. Publications are developed under the auspices of the Publications Department and the Publications Committee. Many products are translations in mutual work with the SRK in Finland. PERIODICALS The Voice of Zion, a monthly paper with devotional and event articles. The Shepherds Voice, a children's magazine published seven times per year. Christmas in Zion, an annual Christmas magazine. Easter Messenger, an annual Easter magazine. BOOKS Books include devotional, historical and novel writings for all ages. MUSIC AND AUDIO Congregational singing, children's singing, and choir recordings based on music from the church's hymnal, Songs & Hymns of Zion, both teach as well as provide enjoyable listening. MOBILE HYMNAL The LLC-published Songs and Hymns of Zion contains all the songs in the current Songs and Hymns of Zion. PURCHASE/RENEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Contact Eeva Nikula at eeva.nikula@llchurch.org with any questions about your subscriptions or if you wish to receive our periodicals. VOICE OF ZION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADS To place birth, engagement or wedding announcements in The Voice of Zion, please fill out the forms below. Birth Engagement Wedding Death To place ads or other announcements in The Voice of Zion, please fill out the form below. Place an Ad Please note, only ads for non-profit organizations can be placed in this publication. C ontact Annette Johnson at annette.johnson@llchurch.org with questions. CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you have a change of address, telephone number, email address, or other contact information for LLC subscriptions, communications, or the LLC Telephone and Address Directory, please complete the following form. Change of Address SRK PUBLICATIONS The LLC carries a variety of publications, both written and audio, produced by the SRK in Finland. These publications are not available online but may be purchased through congregation bookstores or the LLC office directly. Contact the LLC office to check availability or to place special orders. General Operations support the noted areas of work in finance, technology, and administration. Board of Trustees The LLC Board of Trustees consists of 15 members representing member congregations allocated to three regions of the North American continent – Eastern, Midwestern, and Western. Trustees serve for three-year terms and are elected annually at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Trustees meets regularly five times throughout the year. Board Committees A Board Committee structure closely involves trustees in the work of the LLC and provides direction and support to staff. Each committee is comprised of at least three trustees, along with staff/directors associated with the committee’s areas of responsibility. Board Committees currently are as follows: Personnel, Finance, Christian Education, Mission Work, Pastoral Work, Publications. LLC Staff The LLC employs both full- and part-time personnel in areas of pastoral support, mission work, Christian education, publications, and administration. Staff works closely with the Board of Trustees and coordinates and relies upon the service of numerous volunteers in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. Other Boards and Committees The LLC Board of Trustees appoints boards of directors to oversee operations of each of the LLC camp facilities: Hasscib Lake Camp, Champion, Michigan Kamp Kipa, Prescott, Arizona Stony Lake Camp, Park Rapids, Minnesota Other Committees include: Mission Committees for each of three North American regions Scholarship Selection Committee to support the Opisto Scholarship Program Music Committee, a subcommittee of the Publications Committee Humanitarian Aid Committee If you have any questions, please Contact Us

< Back December 15, 2024 Happy Third Advent Sunday! Click the link below to see a video featuring song of Zion 54, As Lately We Watched O’er Our Fields. As Lately We Watched Christmas Peace Previous