< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 3: Internet and Social Media Objective God has provided a useful tool to spread His word throughout the world; Believers need to battle against temptations on the Internet and through social media Learning Outcome Explain how Internet and social media support living faith Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Our tongue is one, it is quite small, / Yet what it does surpasses all: / A little word can be so great / And cause such pain, unrest, and hate. (SHZ 463 v.2) Booklet Text: But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 15:11; Col. 3:8; James 5; CURRICULUM Lesson 9.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS There are three parts of conversion identified in the Augsburg Confession. Through the means of repentance narratives in the Bible and real-life experiences, the student will understand that God has established a single means of entering the fellowship of His grace which we call conversion. Conversion happens in only one way; it is not a process of evolving, but is a particular event which happens in the twinkling of an eye. RESOURCES VZ:The Internet – Good and Evil, (4-page spread, several writers), June/July 2017, pages 6-9; Visits and Text Messages, M. Pudas, At the Crossroads of Choosing, pages 143-146 Our Speech in an Electronic Age, A. Pirness, Crossing the Current, pages 84-86 Previous Next

< Back December 6, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled Candle Choir. To read the poem, click the link. Candle Choir Candle Choir Previous

Position Statements INTRODUCTION LLC Position Statement - adopted July 2006 We live a time during which the concept of right and wrong has blurred. It appears that many people accept the philosophy of moral relativism, denying the existence of moral truths. As a result many base their beliefs on the ever-changing tide of popular opinion and thus have no enduring foundation upon which to build their lives. The Bible, once widely respected and esteemed as the foundation for Christian faith, is now commonly believed to have only symbolic value, more significant as a source of history and culture than moral guidance. Our beliefs direct our lives and guide our actions. They have consequences with regard to both eternal life and this life. As individuals and as a society we will reap the consequences of our actions. Thus with heartfelt concern we wish to draw attention to the following issues and present our position on them. GOD'S WORD THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD We believe that the Bible is God's Word. While men have written the Scripture, they have not done so as an expression of their own will, but God has moved them by His Spirit to express His own will (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16). God's Word is not to be treated or regarded in the same manner as man's word but rather granted our highest esteem and reverence. GOD'S WORD IS CHRISTIAN FAITH'S HIGHEST AUTHORITY We believe that God's Word is Christian faith's highest authority and thus Christian faith's guiding principles and doctrine must be examined and evaluated in the light of God's Word. GOD'S WORD IS UNCHANGING AND ETERNAL The claim that God's Word is bound to time and shackled to the culture of its time does not do justice to God's revelation. According to Jesus, the content and the message of the Word of God does not change along with changes in the world. God's Word is always timely. We cannot relinquish this principle. Jesus says of the permanence of His Word: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33). THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE IS SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST The teaching about Jesus Christ and the salvation that God in His love has prepared in Christ is the central message of the Bible. Man is saved alone by grace, through faith, on the merits of Christ. Only faith in Christ justifies man and makes him acceptable to God (John 20:31; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8). FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES CONCEPT OF GOD Increasing numbers of people have rejected belief in the Triune God revealed in the Bible. They prefer instead to create a concept of God that conforms to their own notions. We believe that there is no living God beside Him who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ and His Word. God is love. He is also holy, righteous, and unchanging. He hates sin but loves sin-fallen mankind. CONCEPT OF MAN Modern man's self-image has become both more individual-centered and human-centered. Understanding of the fact that man is responsible to both God and his fellowman has dimmed. The view that man is basically good is also widely held. This view is contrary to God's Word. While God created man in His image (Gen. 1:26) and has intended that man live in unity with Him, man was corrupted when the first human pair, Adam and Eve, fell into sin. As a result of this original sin, man's basic nature is no longer good but corrupted by sin and inclined to evil (Gen. 6:12, 8:21; Rom. 3:10-12, 23). It is because of sin that there is so much evil in the world. SIN Sin is one of the principal concepts of the Bible. Simply stated, sin is the falling away of the heart from God. Every person has a conscience and some kind of understanding of right and wrong. The voice of the conscience, however, is corrupted if it is not joined to God's Word. Knowledge of and reverence for God's Word has dimmed in our time and with it people's concept of right and wrong, of sin, has also dimmed. If teaching about sin ceases, man's awareness of his need for God's grace also ceases. MAN'S VALUE IS BASED ON CREATION AND REDEMPTION Because every person is created in God's image (Gen. 1:26) and has been redeemed by Christ, every individual is of value, unique, and irreplaceable regardless of age, position, occupation, race, gender, or other attributes. God wishes us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. True love for our neighbors is to help them when they are in need and to encourage them to live according to God's Word and support them in their endeavor to do so. It also includes warning them of the dangers of living contrary to the will of God (Lev. 19:17; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 4:2). GOD IS LORD OVER LIFE AND DEATH As knowledge increases and technology advances, man strives to take decisions of life and death into his own hands. This manifests itself, for example, in the prevention of conception, the termination of pregnancy, some kinds of gene manipulation, efforts to clone humans, and euthanasia. People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. He alone has the power to create life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 10:12; Ps. 139:13-16). He has not authorized man to control life. The duty of medicine is to protect life, alleviate suffering, and promote and maintain health while respecting humanity. DOCTRINE AND LIFE GO TOGETHER Doctrine and life are closely joined. God blesses those who live according to His will. The gospel brings man freedom in Christ and gives him the power to serve God and his fellowman. It does not give him permission to live in sin (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16). God has lovingly set limits for man, like loving parents do for their children. The grace of God teaches us to reject sin and to live according to the instruction of His Word (Tit. 2:11, 12). CHRISTIANITY IN SOCIETY GOD'S LAW AS A FOUNDATION FOR SOCIETY AND ITS LAWS Just as God has established the so-called laws of nature, which govern the physical world, He has also established a moral law, sometimes called higher or natural law, which governs the lives of men. This law is universal, eternal, and unchanging. God reveals this law to all men by general revelation, that is, through nature, the fate of men's lives, and history (Rom. 1:19, 20; 2:14, 15), as well as in His Word. There it is briefly expressed in the Ten Commandments and even more briefly in Jesus' Two Great Commandments (Matt. 22:37-40). Previous generations have recognized the existence and immutable nature of this higher law. They have understood that by His law God does not seek to hinder and oppress man but rather to protect life and all that which is sacred and precious in life. As a result, they strove to emulate God's law in the laws of our land. Recent generations and their elected leaders, legislators, and judges have challenged or denied the existence or validity of a higher law. Deviating from the truths of God's law and the teaching of His Word shakes the foundations of our society and threatens its survival. THE FEAR OF THE LORD GRANTS SECURITY It is a benefit to our society that this and upcoming generations are given wholesome models for life and secure conditions for growth. These rise from the correct fear of God and from personal faith. “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26). SOBER LIVING IS A PART OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY Sober living has always been part of Christian morality. The Scripture warns of the dangers of alcohol and other intoxicants. It teaches that the power of alcohol wars against the will and power of God (Isa. 5:11, 12; 1Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:18). The use of intoxicants causes immeasurable suffering and hardship in our society, affecting not only the user, but also others around them. Individuals in the public eye, including elected officials, civil servants, and educators, can teach the value of a positive, unimpaired lifestyle by providing an example of sober living in their own lives. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY ISSUES GOD CREATED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY God has established marriage and family in His creation work and they are thus defined and governed by the natural law of God's creation (Gen 2:18, 23, 24). Attempts to redefine marriage and family and to alter or resist their intended purpose thus injure families and society. MARRIAGE-A LIFELONG COVENANT BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN A fundamental change of values and concepts marked the so-called sexual revolution of the 1960s. Marital fidelity lost its significance. Sexual cohabitation has gained moral acceptance in our society. The fulfillment of nearly all one's inclinations has become permissible. This is manifested, for example, in legislation legalizing same-sex unions. God, however, instituted marriage as a lifelong covenant between man and woman. God's will is that sexual life between man and woman takes place only in the estate of marriage. The Bible always calls sexual relations outside of marriage fornication. DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Moses allowed divorce, but, as Jesus explained, he did so only because of the hardness of men's hearts, that is their unbelief, and that it had not been so from the beginning. Jesus taught: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6; Mark 10:9). The effects of increasing divorce are evident in our society. Truly divorce, in a person's innermost being, is always a wounding and pivotal change-not to mention the degree to which children and youth suffer when their parents part ways. Because God established marriage as a lifelong covenant it ends only when one of the spouses dies. According to the Bible remarriage is acceptable only after a spouse has died (Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:39). HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS SIN The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is immoral and as such is sin (Rom. 1:24-27; Lev. 18:22). Appeals to God's creation work and genetics do not justify homosexual relations, for even if in some cases the individual may not be responsible for the onset of the homosexual tendency, God's Word nonetheless obligates him or her to abstain from its practice in the same manner that it obligates an individual with normal sexual inclination to abstain from extramarital sexual relations. God does not approve the sexual relations of partners of the same sex and He does not bless such relationships. It is with good reason that the Bible warns against this sin. The increase of homosexuality and its acceptance has always been an expression of moral decline. GOD WISHES TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN MARRIAGE AND FAMILIES God's Word seeks to protect and strengthen the family (Exod. 20:12; Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:1-3). The family forms the fundamental unit of society and strong families are crucial to the health and preservation of society. Our society needs to value lifelong marriage and to support parenthood. Governments, policy makers, and public institutions at all levels should strive to support and strengthen marriage and families. CONCLUSION The Bible teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of God. He and His Word are eternal and unchanging. A life built upon the enduring values of God's Word brings blessings to both the individual and society: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). God's Word is a bright and true light. It exposes evil and gives man knowledge of his sin and convicts him of it, but it also tells of the forgiveness and life that God has provided in Jesus Christ and the keys of the kingdom of heaven with which His children forgive penitent sinners on His behalf and thus release them from the bondage of sin.

Death Recognition Form Death Annoucement Samples Many LLC congregations have adopted the practice of announcing deaths and singing in memory of the deceased. The LLC has developed a death notification form to provide a reliable and convenient way to share the news of an individual’s death with member congregations. The form includes relevant information about the deceased and his or her funeral. Guidelines for use: We recommend that the pastor that will officiate at the deceased’s funeral completes and submits the form or assigns someone to complete and submit the form. Once the form has been submitted it will be sent to LLC member congregations. When possible, submit the form at least one or two days before the Sunday preceding the deceased’s funeral. If that is not possible, submit the form as soon as possible following the death. Each congregation may use this information in accord with its own death notification practice. We have also included sample death announcements for reference. Death Recognition Form Full Name Age Date of Death Congregation Survivied By Brief Biographical Sketch (Optional) Funeral Date and Time Funeral Location Funeral Home Funeral Home Webpage Form submitted by Submit Thank you for submitting

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 use the form below. Fill out all applicable fields. All changes and updates made by March 31 will be made in this year's LLC Directory. If no changes are made, your information will stay the same. Last Name* First Name (Person 1/Husband)* FIrst Name (Person 2/Wife) Cell Phone (Person 1) Cell Phone (Person 2) Email (Person 1) Email (Person 2) Home Phone (if applicable) Member Congregation* HOME ADDRESS Home Address City State / Province Zip Code / Postal MAILING ADDRESS (if different than home address) Mailing Address City (Mailing) State / Province (Mailing) Zip Code / Postal (Mailing) Have your recently moved to a new congregation? Does your listing in the directory need to be removed from your previous congregation? If so, please select your previous congregation below. Previous Congregation Other Notes Submit

< Back Confirmation Day 3: Jesus, the Son of God Day 3, Lesson 2: Jesus, Our Savior Objective Jesus suffered and died for the sins of all people; Jesus is the foundation of our faith Learning Outcome Explain why Jesus suffered and died on the cross Confirmation Exercise Questions # 11. How did God reconcile the sin-fallen world with himself? By giving His only Son for the sins of the world. Reference Material Booklet Song: Dearest Jesus, on Golgotha / Show Your wounds of love to us. / Our dear Father’s heart of mercy / Shines in glory on the cross. / May I always know and see / You were sacrificed for me. (SHZ 311 v. 1) Booklet Text: God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:19) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 26:14-27:66; Mark 14:12-15:47; Luke 22:7-23:56; John 18:1-19:42; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2; Cor. 5:18-21; Rev. 1:17,18, 20:14, 1 John 2:1,2; Gen. 3:15,21 CURRICULUM Lesson 2.6 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Jesus' salvation work was a crucial victory over sin and death. Student will know the passion history of Jesus and understand that He died for our sins ad corrected the Fall in paradise. We receive our sins forgiven on the basis of Jesus' suffering and sacrificial death. RESOURCES By Faith 20; Christian Doctrine 39; Salvation in Jesus Christ: The Bible’s Central Message, M. Kontkanen, The Sheepfold Tender, pages 42-44. SRK/LLC Book: Jesus Our Savior, Stories of Jesus 4. Previous Next

Bus Information Bus transportation is arranged from Southern Minnesota to Youth Camps and Pre-Confirmation Camps at Stony Lake Camp and to Pre-Confirmation Camps at HLC. Busing is also arranged for LLC Confirmation schools. Stony Lake Camp Bus Schedule There will only be one pick-up spot for Stony Lake Youth Camps. PICK UP STOP: Bus departs Monticello Church @ 9:30 a.m. Campers should be at the Monticello Church by 9:15 a.m. Bus returns to the Monticello Church about 3:15 p.m. on return date. Brainerd campers catch the bus at Travel Center, Motley. Bus Fee: Stony Lake Camp: $45 Hasscib Lake Camp: $150 Monticello Church Address: 1890 Co Rd 39 NE, Monticello, MN 2026 Camp Bus Schedule Bus Chaperone Sign-up

< Back December 10, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled Thy King Cometh. To read the poem, click the link. Thy King Cometh Thy King Cometh Previous

Hearken Hearken is the LLC Digital Publications app released in March 2022. Purchase and manage your Hearken subscription at hearken.llchurch.org . Please visit this page first to create an account and subscribe to Hearken. For a monthly fee, subscribers have full access to a broad array of digital periodicals and books, audio and video and LLC albums. Hearken was launched in March 2022 and we already have many subscribers, for which we are very thankful. Nonetheless, we occasionally hear from members wondering what Hearken is and how to access it. To provide answers to these questions, we have prepared a video to inform our member congregations about Hearken, our publications app. Subscription plans available for $12.50/month (single) or $25.00/month (family). For more information about the app, see below. Learn more and subscribe If you would like to purchase a subscription for Hearken as a gift, please purchase a gift card from our online store. Purchase a gift card for Hearken Step by Step: How to Subscribe and Download Hearken How to Log In on the Hearken App How to... How to purchase Hearken 1. Visit the website hearken.llchurch.org . All subscriptions are managed on this site. 2. Login or Sign Up 3. Purchase a plan (Single Package or Family Package) 4. Download the Hearken app using one of the app store buttons on the page. 5. Once the app has downloaded on your phone or tablet, open the app. 6. Click the user icon in the upper left corner of the app. 7. Click Log In 8. Use the same email and password that you created on the website to login to the app. 9. You are now logged into the app! Enjoy! How to use a Hearken family package 1. The administrator of the family package must first purchase the Family Package under his or her Hearken account. 1a. Visit the website hearken.llchurch.org. All subscriptions are managed on this site. 1b. Login or Sign Up 1c. Purchase a Family Package plan 1d. Take note of the Family Code. This is the code you will share with family users. 1e. Download the Hearken app using one of the app store buttons on the page. 1f. Once the app has downloaded on your phone or tablet, open the app. 1g. Click the user icon in the upper left corner of the app. 1h. Click Log In 1i. Use the same email and password that you created on the website to login to the app. 1j. You are now logged into the app as 1 of 10 available users 2. Each additional user needs to create their own account at hearken.llchurch.org 3. They will need to enter the Family Code provided by the Family Package Administrator. 4. Proceed to download the app and log in. Frequently Asked Questions How can I change my subscription from a Single Package to a Family Package? Or from a Family Package to a Single Package? 1. Visit the subscription website hearken.llchurch.org 2. Login to your account 3. Under the 'Plan Name' section, click "Cancel Subscription". 4. Make note of the date your subscription is set to expire. Once your current subscription expires, follow steps 1 and 2 above, then choose a new subscription.

Writer Resources LLC Content Creators Workshop – April 26, 2025 Writing a Historical Novel Writing Dialogue Poetic Forms LLC Writers’ Workshop - June 6, 2023 Using Significant Details Micro Journalism Workshop 2022 Devotional Writing Seminar 2021 This seminar was held in person and via Zoom from the LLC office in Monticello, Minnesota.