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The Voice of Zion January 2024 - Doctrine and Life Article -- This writing is an excerpt from Miten minä uskon (How I Believe), edited by Ari-Pekka Palola and published by SRK in 2020. The writings are not attributed to a certain author since they are compiled from a variety of texts originally published in Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine (LLC 2022), which was translated from the original Finnish version published in 2018. Installment 12 of 19. The work of Jesus continues on earth as the work of the Holy Spirit in His congregation. Sermon of the Word The Word and sacraments are instruments of grace. Luther mentioned the proclaimed word as the true church’s most important attribute. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the congregation with the Word. In the Word, Christ himself comes into a believer’s heart and unites the believer unto himself. According to Luther, God’s Word and God’s people are inextricably linked. God’s Word must be distributed correctly: there must be differentiation between the law and the gospel. When the Holy Spirit distributes the Word, each person gets precisely the portion allotted to him or her. In the hearing of the Word, differentiation between the law and gospel happens in a people’s hearts. Sacraments The Lutheran church has two sacraments, baptism and communion. They have been instituted by Christ Himself. The Word of God makes water, bread, and wine a sacrament. The significance of the sacrament does not depend on the one administering it. Baptism Baptism is based on Jesus’ Mission Command. In the mission that Jesus gave, the proclamation of the gospel and baptism were closely tied together. Baptism joins with the promise of salvation, which requires faith. The sacrament of baptism is received by faith. Faith saves without baptism, if the sacrament is not available (Matt. 3:13–17, 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16). In the sacrament of baptism, God calls everyone by name to be His own. In baptism God receives us into a covenant of good conscience and the Christian teachings of His congregation. In baptism, God joins us in unity with Christ’s death and resurrection. For Christians, baptism signifies the daily death of the old person and the daily resurrection of the new person. We fulfill our baptism every day in our endeavor and in preserving a good conscience (Gal. 3:26–27; Rom. 6:3–4). Nowadays most baptisms are infant baptisms. A child’s faith is not conscious in the same way as an adult’s faith is, but as a gift from birth the child does have faith and trust in God (Matt. 18:6; Ps. 22:11). Baptism need not and must not be renewed. On God’s part the covenant of baptism is in effect once a person is baptized. A person who has lost faith returns through repentance into the grace covenant of baptism. Communion Communion is the meal in remembrance of Jesus’ death. Communion is intended for all believers, for Christ died on behalf of all and shed His blood for all (Matt. 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke. 22:19–22; 1 Cor. 11:20–34). For the Lutheran Church, a characteristic belief is Christ’s real presence in the bread and wine. Communion is a mystery and remains as such to human reason. It is intended to strengthen weak faith. In the words of institution there is a new covenant promise. Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine are the sign and remembrance of this promise. Because God’s promise can only be received in faith, communion is also partaken properly only in faith. Power of the Keys The concept of “the power of the keys” means the authority to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven. This is a duty of service because Christ did not appoint rulers in the congregation but rather servants. The power of the keys is based on Jesus’ words to the disciples (Matt. 16:19; John 20:22,23). The keys are the authority given by God to Christendom to remit and retain people’s sins. The duty of the key of binding is to reveal to the sinner his or her sins by exhorting him or her to fear God and to penitence. The key of loosing offers God’s grace and mercy and promises life and salvation through the forgiveness of sins. The keys do not command or exhort to do any works, rather they either remit sins or retain them. The keys are connected to God’s congregation. God works through His congregation, binding and loosing from sins. The use of the keys has great significance in soul care. Christ did not give His keys to burden His congregation, but rather for its benefit and to aid it. Instructions for the correct use of the keys in the life of God’s congregation are given in a Bible portion called the Church Law of Christ. This Christ-given order must be followed in encountering and caring for a child of God that has fallen into sin (Matt. 18:15–18). Especially in the case of binding it’s important to proceed according to the Christ-given order. The prerequisite for binding is that actual sins contrary to God’s Word have been committed, of which the individual does not want to repent. In cases of binding, the congregation declares that the faith of the bound individual is dead. Binding a sinner seems unloving, but its purpose is that the individual could eventually be free from sin. General Priesthood and Special Office All Christians are priests of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 2:9). Each believer has an equal right to proclaim the gospel, but no one should preach publicly unless called by the congregation. The congregation cannot exist without the Word of God. Therefore, it has the right to call and appoint those to preach who are deemed suitable to serve with God’s Word.

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion January 2024 - Home and Family Article -- Temperance is a word from Middle English, derived in the 1400s. It means self-restraint – specifically, purposeful avoidance of certain behavior. This word recalls the Temperance movements of the 1800s and early 1900s, consisting of marches that protested the drinking of alcohol. Drunkenness and alcoholism caused disruption and sorrow in families, so Temperance Societies sought Prohibition, a law that made alcohol sales illegal, seen as a way to end family dysfunction and suffering. For a child of God, temperance is self-directed, not forced by laws. Though drinking alcohol is legal after a certain age, it is sin. Believers abstain from alcohol and drugs that cause drunken effects. In other activities, we wish to live our lives in happy and healthy moderation. If we over-indulge in pleasures, these pleasures can harm our wellbeing. Conversely, if we deny ourselves all pleasure, we risk missing out on rich experiences that God bestows on humankind. Balance is key. Temperance is not only important to believers; it is also considered to be a virtue by people in many areas of life, including philosophy and psychology and technology. It goes beyond specific religions or cultural beliefs. Moderation is a concept that helps us stay satisfied with what we have. It helps us live according to our values. What is temperance? Self-regulation: being mindful or aware of what decisions you are making and what their outcomes might be. Knowing the balance of what is considered appropriate or moderate and what is considered excessive or extreme. Discussion question: How do you learn to self-regulate? Who or what teaches you that? How can we learn moderation? By example: how do your parents navigate through life? How do others around you act? Role models: in your own life, in your community, from history Instruction: teachers of all types guide and direct behaviors Life experiences: from the consequences of our actions Discussion questions: What examples of moderation do you see in your parents’ lives? What examples of moderation can you find in Bible characters or Bible stories? Share an example of a life experience that has taught you to regulate your actions. Self-reflection We can look back on outcomes from choices we’ve made. We can look forward and consider what outcomes we can expect from deciding one way or another in some area of life. Discussion questions: Think of a scenario in life where a tough decision needs to be made. List what options are available and what the outcomes of each option would be. What are some moments in life where we should exercise temperance? Why is temperance a fruit of the Spirit? The Bible teaches us that temperance is a fruit of the Spirit, which means that it is a characteristic that is produced in us by the Holy Spirit. Read Galatians 5:22,23 to find out what all the fruits of the Spirit are. The inclusion of temperance underscores its fundamental place in the life of a believer. Discussion questions: What is the opposite of temperance? What is the difference between self-regulation and self-righteousness? What can we learn about temperance from God’s Word? Read Proverbs 16:32. This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and the ability to govern one’s emotions. Read or listen to the “What Does the Bible Say?” article in this issue of The Voice of Zion. Discussion questions: If we don’t exercise temperance, we risk harming our conscience. How might this happen? Tell some examples from the Bible where God’s children demonstrated the fruit of temperance and benefitted from it. How does temperance show in our lives? God’s children may endure negativity and even violence from the surroundings where we live, but our response must be gentleness, not retaliation. God’s children can endeavor patiently because we know our Lord is near (Phil. 4:4–6). Discussion questions: What are your values? What role does temperance play in these? How do we help one another get to heaven? How do we remember that our action and choices have consequences to others? We glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. (Romans 5:3,4 KJV) We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3,4 ESV) Conclusion The pursuit of temperance is not without challenges. In a world that often favors excess and instant gratification, maintaining a disciplined and moderate lifestyle can be difficult. The believer acknowledges these challenges, and that is why it is good to gather and visit. There the Spirit provides guidance on how individuals can navigate these challenges, by faith. This guidance helps us make good decisions in moments of temptation.

Duane Pirness | The Voice of Zion January 2024 - What Does the Bible Say Article -- The Voice of Zion theme for this month is temperance. Temperance in our lives means moderation or restraint in our actions, thoughts or feelings. It can also mean abstinence from alcohol or drugs. God’s children have always been characterized as being temperate. This is evident in our lives led by living faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit. People outside of God’s kingdom with whom believers are in contact often notice this characteristic of temperance in God’s children as well. God’s children must always live in the time and in the society in which they have been placed. We live in the world, but not of the world, as Jesus prayed for His own (John 17). We have been placed as believers into what often seems to be an increasingly intemperate and, in many ways, a polarized society. We have been asked to be “a light onto the world” today, as we are reminded in Matthew 5. The Bible text for this theme of temperance is taken from 1 Kings 2:3: “Keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.” King David was soon to die, and he spoke these words to his son, Solomon, who would succeed him to the throne. King David had remained faithful to God during his reign, and the land had prospered. When he had fallen into sin, he had been obedient when rebuked and he repented of his sin, and ruled the land in a way that pleased God. He encouraged his son to continue to walk in obedience to God and to remain as His child and to rule as God gives him wisdom. The Bible speaks of living a temperate life. In Galatians 5, we are told that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh and are not under the law. In verse 23, we are reminded that one of the fruits of the Spirit is temperance. Those who belong to Christ in faith have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts. However, if we live in the Spirit, we must also walk in the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16–18, we are reminded that our bodies are God’s holy temples and we have the Holy Spirit through faith. We must live in such a way that we do not defile this temple and suffer destruction, losing this gift of faith. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul says that everyone who runs a race is temperate in all things, so that he can win a crown, but that crown is corruptible. We, however, strive to run our race of faith in temperance to win an incorruptible crown. Paul says that he keeps his flesh under the subjection of the Spirit, so that having preached to others he would not lose his gift of faith. In Titus 2, we are reminded that God’s grace which brings us salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in the world we are in. We look for that hope which comes from God and our Lord Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter 1, we read that when we have been given the gift of living faith and are spared the corruption of this world, we should add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity to our faith. If we live in this way, we will be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ. However, if we don’t, we are blind and have fallen away from that faith we had owned. Ephesians 5:18 teaches that we should abstain from wine, which is contrary to the Holy Spirit which we own by faith. This also includes any alcoholic beverage or drugs. Rather we should be filled with the Spirit and be always thankful to God for everything. Philippians 4:4,5 reminds us to always rejoice and be thankful to God for our gift of faith, and that our moderation, or temperance, should be known to all people. This includes not only our brothers and sisters in faith, but also other people who know us. We can see that the Bible speaks so much to us about temperance and moderation. I have chosen a few examples, but we could find many more. In Galatians 6:7–8, we read “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” We are encouraged to continue believing our sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, putting sin away as it attaches itself to us. We are so fortunate to be called from the midst of this world to live in God’s kingdom, with the hope of eternal life in heaven.

Jim Jurmu | The Voice of Zion January 2024 - Editorial -- As a new year begins, we reflect on the years past. We see how God protects His children and blesses in so many ways. The prophet Isaiah writes, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isa. 40:28,29). Without any strength or merit of our own, God preserves and protects in living faith, even when we feel we only have little faith. With thankful hearts we look forward to yet another new year, a year in which we can believe, support and love one another and do the work of the kingdom, as God allows. At last summer’s LLC Annual Meeting, delegates with joyful hearts reviewed the work of the past and looked forward to the work before. They spoke of their support of the work and gave encouragement to those who serve. The delegates approved an operating plan which gives structure and direction to the work of the organization. We endeavor to do that which is entrusted to us. It is secure to do the work, trusting that God gives the increase. The theme for the 2024 Operating Plan comes from the book of Isaiah. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (40:31). The Israelites became tired in their journey. They had lived in exile for decades. We too can become tired and weary in our lives. Trials of life come unexpectedly, and many have felt the spiritual battle these past years. These difficulties cause us to weary. Then we are reminded as were the Israelites, that the Lord is everlasting. He does not grow faint. It is then that we look forward with joy and hope. As believers, we experience the battle against a three-fold enemy: the enemy of souls, the world, and our own flesh. Temptation often leads us into sin, draining our strength and causing us to stumble. We acknowledge our inability to overcome these burdens alone. When facing life’s trials, our refuge lies in turning to God, who hears our pleas and extends His helping hand, as mentioned in Psalm 40:17, “I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” We can put our trust in God and His deliverance, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). Jesus encourages us to turn to Him, promising rest and relief from the weight of our burdens (Matt. 11:28–30). This relief is found through the gospel, preached by the Holy Spirit and believed in our hearts. Through the gospel message, our burdens are lifted and our strength is renewed through God’s grace. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Through faith we, as God’s children, are able to face each new day and continue our journey with confidence. Looking back over the years since the formation of our church organization, we see how God gave strength to His children to continue to work. We wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength, every day and every moment. God knows us and sees us; He lifts us and carries us. He will carry us into a new day of work according to His will, when only we believe day by day.

Dan Grangroth | The Shepherd’s Voice December 2023/January 2024 - Home and Family Article – We are often quick to act and the initial reaction to situations can be the wrong thing to do. When we have self-control, we pause and think before we act or speak. Can you think of a time when you acted too quickly? My children provided these examples of using temperance: If someone makes you angry, don’t start fighting. Keep your body to yourself. When something happens to you, ask yourself, is this a big deal or little deal? Self-control is hard because we have powerful feelings that make us want to act in the wrong way. In all things we should stop for a minute and listen for the instruction given to us in the soft and small voice of our conscience. Self-control can also help us fight against temptations. When Daniel was offered meat and wine from the Kings table in Daniel 1:8, his flesh would have wanted to partake and avoid the King’s wrath. When Daniel paused to consider what God wanted, he could see that it wouldn’t be good for his faith. With God’s strength, Daniel resisted and survived the King’s wrath. Self-control can also help us treat our neighbors with kindness. This can be practiced at our school, in the world around us and also in our homes. When we fall into sin and become out of control or angry, we can go to our mother, father, brother or sister in faith and have those sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. Things to visit about: What does temperance mean to you? Tell about a time when you had to use self-control. How did it feel? How can we practice temperance in our daily lives?

Natasha Warwaruk | The Voice of Zion December 2023 - Column -- My cheek is pressed against the window glass, my gaze surveys the black of the night sky. Pricks of diamond penetrate the blackness – stars suspended from the heavens. To my left I notice the red rotating flash of the cell tower. And I think of Rudolph. Now, where did that magic of Christmas disappear to? When did I stop waiting for Santa? Bang-di-di bang bang bang! My thoughts jolt back to the story playing over the Suburban’s loudspeakers: “The Shepherd.” We are on our way back from Christmas Eve church. The reader’s voice is familiar and expressive. It gives me a comfortable feeling. This story is broadcast every Christmas Eve on Canada’s CBC radio and has somehow worked its way into the grain of our family’s Christmas Eve. For a time anyway. A handful of decades have since passed but those days seem like yesterday in my memory. Nowadays I enjoy Christmas through the eyes of my siblings’ children, and I reminisce of days gone by. The uninhibited exuberance of a child beholding the treasures that Santa has left on Christmas morning cannot be beat. I recall a bright-eyed nephew exclaiming, as little plastic mice come tumbling out of his upturned stocking, “Just what I wanted!” I’m pretty sure possessing plastic mice had not occurred to him until that very moment. The memory brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Another thought springs to mind – why do we tell our children about a mythical man who brings toys on Christmas? It seems St. Nicholas himself is historically true, but that does not explain the rest – year-round toymaking by elves and then soaring through the air with eight reindeer to deliver gifts on Christmas. Why this? Now my mind shifts to our faith. At times I have thought Santa had some of God’s qualities, the gifts and joy. Have we just been taught about our faith and are simply believing, just as our children do in Santa? Simply trusting that mother and father will take care of us and the gifts that Santa delivers every Christmas will just be there? At some point, the child’s mind develops and realizes what Santa’s loving gift-giving is all about. In my case, some of that early magical part of Christmas transforms and in its place is the miracle of Christmas and its true meaning. As I ponder, I see how the tradition of gift giving ties to our faith. Our heavenly Father delivers gifts every moment of every day. Our hearts can be open and ready to receive these gifts as they come. The congregation mother also delivers gifts to us every time we gather and even daily, through our brothers and sisters who belong to this congregation on earth. The gifts are there, free for the taking and exactly what we are needing. And so it is that the greatest gift is the gift of faith, and my mind cannot comprehend it or understand it. I must simply trust in the Father and the mother. I treasure this gift and enjoy all the other gifts that come along with it. Natasha Warwaruk’s inspiration to write comes from experiences, observations and enjoyment. She hails from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the “land of the living skies” and considers a day well spent when it includes family, friends and a jaunt outside.

Jeremy Simonson | The Voice of Zion December 2023 - What Does the Bible Say Article -- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 Isn’t the knowledge that this prophecy written by Isaiah was fulfilled and God’s Son was born into the world on our behalf a joyous Christmas greeting? Our Saviour came to bear our sins, giving us the hope of eternal life in heaven. As the busyness of the Christmas season surrounds us with its many reasons for joy, let us pause for a moment around this prophecy from the Old Testament, the time before Jesus was born. A Child Is Born! Many of us have had the opportunity to be present during the time when a family is anticipating the arrival of a new baby. The anticipation builds as the due date draws near: there are names to be picked, hospital bag to be packed, and maybe even a new outfit bought for the new one to wear home from the hospital. Can you imagine the anticipation felt by the Old Testament believers who were living around the time when Jesus was born? Not only was this arrival a new gift from God for the family to love, but also the Redeemer for the sins of all humankind was to be born! We can see how it was for our brother in faith Simeon, how the Holy Ghost revealed to him that he would see Christ before he died, and when the Spirit led him to the temple, he was able to see his Lord and Savior. What did Simeon do? “He took him up in his arms and blessed God.” Our brother rejoiced, we see from his speech that his heart was full, his eyes had seen the salvation that God had prepared for all people, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Unto Us a Son Is Given Don’t the words of the header for this paragraph give us the reason for our joy? The Lord and Savior was given on our behalf to die for our sins. Isaiah was also given to prophecy regarding this happening as was recorded later in the book of Isaiah: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers dumb, so opened he not his mouth” (53:7). Here Isaiah prophesied about that time when Jesus was being tried before the rulers of His time and eventually was led away to Golgotha to die on the cross, as a sacrifice for our sins. This prophecy is also the portion that the Ethiopian eunuch had Philip teach him about, and the eunuch received the hope of eternal life in heaven. This message of forgiveness gives us the comforting feeling of peace even at Christmas time and makes us pray that all people would be as the eunuch, desiring Christmas peace for their own heart. Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace I can’t help but hear the familiar chorus from Handel’s Messiah as I read this text. Along with it comes many memories of familiar Christmas songs of hope and joy playing in the house, as the family prepares for Christmas. Traditional Christmas treats are baking, filling the house with delicious aromas, kids are racing around in excitement, cleaning needs to be done, clothes to be found and washed, and although there may be snow and cold outside, the house and hearts are warmed with the joy of Christmas. Maybe this Christmas joy felt in the heart of a believer is a taste of what Isaiah has written, where we can know and be confident that our Lord and God is “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Dear ones, don’t we also know that Christmas can be a time of stress or sorrow for those who are experiencing trials and difficulties in life? This fulfilled prophesy of Isaiah even reaches out to you, dear one, in your place of watching. Be comforted and know that God is “The mighty God.” He knows all and sees all, and He even knows you so intimately that He sees when a hair falls from your head. Trust that He is “The everlasting Father.” The sorrows of this time may seem difficult, but they too will pass as God allows, and God will be with you not only in this difficulty, but also when it is done and forever after. As we look forward to Christmas, allow yourself the opportunity to embrace the peace and joy that we own as believers. Continue to endeavor putting sin away as it attaches, leaving a place for the Prince of Peace to reign in your hearts. May the peace of Christmas be with you now and always.

Ben Waaraniemi | The Voice of Zion December 2023 - The Sabbath Word Article -- I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. – Psalm 130:5–8 The season of Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. We see in our homes and in our communities the signs of the coming festival in which we remember the humble birth of Jesus Christ. Many of us look forward to our Christmas celebrations. The themes for the Advent Sundays speak to us of our Lord Jesus Christ: how He comes in both humility and glory, of the need to prepare for His coming, and finally how He is near. Advent is not only waiting for Christmas, but more importantly waiting and preparing for His second coming. When a family is expecting, everyone in the home waits for the arrival of the child. The expectant mother especially looks forward: perhaps with worries about delivery, to the end of the discomfort of carrying the child or the health difficulties that pregnancy can bring, and the anticipation of the joy that comes with the child being delivered. “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21). The Psalmist beautifully expresses that experience of waiting. The verses that precede this text are a prayer for mercy and forgiveness. They come from the proper place of recognizing that before God we have all fallen short: “If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” (Ps. 130:3). The Psalmist also expresses where his trust is placed: “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” It is good for us to recall the promises of God and renew our hope in them, also remembering His faithfulness to the former saints. “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” The imagery here brings to our mind those who had the task of watching on the city walls throughout the night. In our time as well, many have duties in which they must stay awake and watch through the night. Law enforcement officials are on duty and must be ready to respond when necessary, doctors and nurses as well must be attentive to the care of their patients throughout the night. In my temporal duties I monitor the operation of a power plant and have spent many nights watching and waiting for the morning. It is not always easy to stay alert and attentive to my responsibilities and I find myself watching the clock and waiting for the end of my shift. Waiting is difficult for the watchman – the Psalmist compares his waiting for the Savior to a watchman’s shift. The time of Advent reminds us of the need to watch in faith as we wait. We easily tire in the endeavor; sin so often clouds our vision and makes the journey slow and difficult. As God’s Word instructs, we need to “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” (Heb. 12:1). Isn’t our experience the same as that of the psalmist? That “with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption?” We find again that God’s promises are sure and, as often as we need, the grace altar flows with living water. He has placed us in the care of His congregation and given us escorts to help us on the journey to heaven. From their mouths we hear the message from the heart of our heavenly Father that our sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood. By our faith in that gospel, we are departure-ready. With the same living hope of the psalmist, we can travel to the end of the days that God has numbered for us in this life. When that day comes we will go to the eternal Christmas celebration. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion December 2023 - News and Notes Article -- On behalf of the LLC Office Staff, I hope each of you can experience a joyous and peaceful Christmas season. Scriptures relate how many years ago the heavens opened and angels announced the birth of the promised Savior. Today, the same joyful message echoes from God’s children; it gives comfort to the weary traveler and the hope of eternal Christmas in heaven. May the message of God’s perfect gift to humankind be our focus as we gather with loved ones during this Christmas season. Christmas is come, like a song to a silence of sadness; Christmas is come with the Christ-child, our joy and our gladness. Angels of God tell the glad tidings abroad: Glory to God in the highest. – SHZ 25:2 Updates on LLC Activities Admin On November 15, the LLC staff began the work to prepare the 2025 Operating Plan. The first workshop in this work is to have our annual Changing and Expanding Needs discussion. We use this session to explore and ponder what might our work look like in the coming decades. From here, we work to prioritize various opportunities and see what may be timely to progress in the upcoming operating plan. Pastoral The fifth LLC Ministers Webinar was held on November 2. John Stewart kept an introduction titled “After Times of Battle.” The Evening Devotions are accessed on our website by numerous people on a daily basis. They are also available as archives and in the Hearken App. In 2024, Wednesday evening devotions will be added so there will be a devotion aired each weekday. A training webinar for ministers who will serve in this way is scheduled for November 28. The fall Home and Family webinar was an introduction and discussion on the topic “Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens.” There were 45 connections from across North America. Mission We hold four African Ministers Webinars annually. Jouko Haapsaari kept an introduction on the Third Article of the Creed on November 14. The fall Area Mission Committee Webinar was held on November 14. We will hold a training webinar for the Ministers serving on Foreign Mission trips in 2024 on November 21. Education The first of a series of webinars for 2024 Confirmation and Pre-Confirmation Directors will take place on December 11. Digital Communications There is a lot of Christmas content on Hearken, our publications app. We have a special seasonal podcast, Christmas is Coming. Our annual Christmas magazine, Christmas in Zion, is also posted there, along with our new digital music album, Hail the Star. As you finish up your Christmas shopping, consider buying gifts directly from our online store! We can ship gifts directly to the recipients if they don’t live near you. Cooperation between SRK, SFC and LLC in the area of broadcast work and programming continues. LLC is sending participants to a weekend summer services radio course in Ranua, Finland, in February 2024. Print Publications This fall we have spent time planning for our periodicals content for 2024. Look for new features and new ways of presenting information in The Voice of Zion! We hope that this newspaper and its contents continues to serve readers everywhere, whether in print, digitally or in audio format. Music We just released our latest album, which is a digital-only Christmas album, Hail the Star. Look for it on Hearken or wherever you listen to digital music. Next spring we will release two new albums of believers singing together. One features a mixed group singing in Spanish, and the other features men singing in English. Look for more information on both of these in the early months of 2024. We are also planning to record an album of youth congregational singing next spring. This will take place in the southern Minnesota area.

Angie Hoikka | The Voice of Zion November 2023 - Column -- In June 2023, Angela Hoikka moved to Misawa, Japan, with her husband Mark and six of their nine children. They currently live on Misawa Air base and attend virtual services. They look forward to visiting the States during confirmation time next summer. Dear neighbors on this journey to our eternal home, Amori province is in northern Japan. It is our new, temporary home for the next three years. The custom in Japan is to greet your neighbors after moving in, showing up at their door with a small gift. The gift is traditionally something of low monetary value but useful like a snack or a box of tissues. Your introduction should be in their native language and goes something like this: “Nice to meet you. We are the Hoikka family and have six children living with us. I hope we will be good neighbors.” Hajimemashte. Watashi wa Hoikka des, roku nin kodomo ga imas. Youroshku onagai shimas. These greetings help to establish good relationships. Caring for these relationships of proximity involves greetings when passing; a simple good morning, evening, or afternoon is considered neighborly. In the time you live close to these people, it is considerate to limit noise. These simple gestures are unspoken communication of concern for others’ comfort, they instill trust. By not invading someone’s home acoustically, we show respect and hope that this gesture will be reciprocated. When moving out, the customs are similar; bring a small gift of similar value to the one you gave initially and say something like: “I am moving away; thank you for everything.” Kore kara hikko shimas. Osewa ni nari mashita. These greetings are accompanied with a humble bow in place of a handshake. Whether in Japan or North America, it is important to consider how our actions affect our neighbors. It is fortunate that we have ways to research a culture, area, and language by learning geography, local customs, and even figuring out how to greet neighbors in a way they will understand. We already understand our own customs and culture, so in theory it should be the easiest to interact with the people we know the best. I have discovered in my own family lack of communication and clarity often are the culprits of unrest. Without ill intention, little effort is made to care for the simple comforts of good relations; assumptions are made and patience is least abundant for the people closest to us. When patience wanes, tolerance is low and respect can be forgotten. Considering any communication, even a daily one between a spouse or child and parent, how much better could our relationships be if we set aside our worries and dedicated a few seconds to receiving and giving greetings of the holy spirit – gifts of love and charity. Forgiveness is so comforting to receive when name sins and a heavy heart drag us down, and it is just as comforting to receive when we are feeling good. I’ve noticed at night with the children that hugging and blessing is so refreshing; time slows, allowing us to appreciate all that we have. It’s the same in parting, a reassurance of love and God’s blessings of forgiveness gives strength for a short time and keeps us from getting ensnared in the little brambles on our travel path. Our time in this unfamiliar land has slowed time that way all new experiences do. We try to relate the unfamiliar to the familiar and then give it autonomy and categorization. This whole process is enjoyable but even more enjoyable when the other seven people in our family can share these same experiences. Their interpretations of the same experiences will be different and unique. By discussing feelings and interpretations of experiences we can learn even more about the culture we live in and the people caring for us. I am grateful for this opportunity, more grateful for the family support and small home congregation God has provided us here and most grateful for our mother congregation. The support and care we receive gives comfort and security. Comfort and security give feelings of safety that make us feel brave to explore this new land. We have experiences and hope to share them with our neighbors near and especially the ones far away. There are distant neighbors we know so well we can taste their homemade oatmeal cinnamon raisin cookies, wild rice soup, or pulla; we can imagine their responses to our words and actions and picture their expressions even when we cannot see them. I hope we can continue to share this culture with the culture we are representing and sharing here in Japan. We extend a hearty welcome to our believing neighbors who would like to experience the Pacific North and nurture warm relations. God’s Peace, your neighbors on this journey