Bethany Byman | The Shepherd’s Voice June/July 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Shortly after sitting down for services, I notice the first signs of impatience begin in our younger ones. Legs start swinging, muffled whispers becoming louder. The four-year-old gets up and not so quietly demands to know how much longer until it’s over. I pull her close and whisper in her ear, “Listen to what the minister is telling us. You’ve never heard this story before!” Her eyes slightly widen and she looks at the minister with speculation. Everyone can feel impatient at times. It can feel like it would be so much more fun to be playing outside with friends. On Sunday mornings, children have often already sat for an hour in Sunday school. In the morning service, I notice little ones meandering about the aisles. Others talk and giggle with one another. They are low on patience. It’s important to discuss with children why we need to be quiet and be patient in church. There are others who are trying to hear God’s word and we should be respectful to them. We all need to hear the special message that helps us on our journey to heaven. We can try little things such as a snack and drink of water before services. We can make sure our children have a good night’s sleep and are dressed appropriately for the temperature. Adults, let us keep our patience with these precious children. Even if we don’t hear much of the sermon, we are there amidst God’s children and that’s the best place we can be. Things to visit about: What kind of behavior is appropriate in Sunday school and at services? How can we help ourselves and others when it feels like it’s hard to sit still and listen? Why do adults bring children to services?

Karl Byman | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Longsuffering is a word used in several places in the Bible. It is said to be a combination of the Greek words for “long” and “temper,” meaning to be slow to anger, to endure anger with restraint, or to forbear ourselves and others. It is difficult to see longsuffering in myself, as I seem to be the polar opposite of patient, giving others the benefit of the doubt, or putting the best construction on what others do. When I have had trials in my life that seemed unending, I have prayed for acceptance and patience, and often reminded myself of this verse, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Heb. 13:14). It has helped me remember that everything in this life is temporary, including suffering, and that has allowed me to be somewhat more patient and accepting. My parents both lived through the Great Depression. My mother was very young then. Her father was a preacher and they never had an excess of material goods throughout her childhood. My father left school after eighth grade graduation to work and help support his family. They both also endured long-term health trials. I believe that their experiences with a simple childhood in believing homes not only made them appreciative of the smaller joys in life, but it also contributed to their contentedness and taught them to be longsuffering and patient. I have often thought that as believers we should strive to be satisfied with less than those in the world around us. By this I mean that we should not feel entitled to the constant entertainment, leisure time, pleasure, and instant gratification sought by so many in the world. But rather we can be content with a simpler lifestyle centered around faith and family. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). Patience in Trials Ruthanne Byman | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Learning patience from trials can be difficult during hard times. Life gives us much joy, but none of us go through this life without trials. It is good to remain close with our escorts in faith; they help support us in the hard times. Believing is easier when we love one another, even with our different personalities. Sometimes when God gives us trials we feel closer to Him. Other times we become fearful. We need His guidance and sometimes it is hard to trust when we are given a trial that seems too hard to bear. It is good to be open and share your concerns with another believer as you are able. It is comforting to have the prayers of other believers during difficult times. We can be patient in the face of trials when we know we are not bearing them alone. I have believing friends that I have turned to for comfort or advice throughout the years. It would be hard to imagine getting through life without them! Children also need escorts. We parents see to their needs when they are young, but as they get older it is good for them to make friends. We can help nurture friendship by visiting other families, allowing our children to have believing friends over and attending camps. These friends can be lifelong escorts, and escorts can help one another withstand what life brings. Accepting What Life Brings Tarja Brown | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Longsuffering is patience, steadfastness, perseverance and endurance. As I ponder longsuffering, I think back on the experiences and trials I have had on life’s journey. Over 40 years ago, while living in Germany with my husband Joe, who was serving with the United States military, I experienced one such trial. While in Germany, our second daughter was born. At the age of two months and ten days, she stopped breathing during the night. I ran to the neighbors who called for an ambulance. While they were working on saving my little child’s life, I sat on a stump outside of the ambulance and prayed to God: God, please save my little one, but if it is not your will I will accept this. Alas, my little one passed away. We were transported to the army hospital where I was questioned on what had happened while they sent for Joe, who was guarding the Czechoslovakian border. Through my tears, I heard them ask if I wanted the Army chaplain. I said no. I continued to weep quietly. Soon an Army chaplain sat down next to me and said, “You know this is not your fault?” I said I know. He said, “You know there was nothing you could have done to prevent this?” I said I know. He finally looked at me and said, “You do?” In that moment, I knew that God was giving me strength and acceptance. I could feel His gentle presence. Part of longsuffering is to accept one another for who we are. We forbear one another in love. When the children were little, there were often teachable moments that occurred in everyday life. I remember one occasion when my oldest daughter was having all the girls her age over. She came to me, troubled that the girls wanted to exclude one of the girls and had asked her not to invite this girl. I told her that would not be right. I asked, “How would you feel if you were the one being excluded?” She agreed this would not make her feel good. All the girls were invited and everything went well. It is good that we preserve the love of one child of God for another child of God, putting aside differences between us. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Longsuffering is linked to contentment and thankfulness. When trials beset us it is comforting to remember to be content with whatever our lot in life is. Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction. To me it also means acceptance. As believers we experience trials and many moments of joy. After each trial we realize how important that trial has been to help us grow closer to God and more steadfast in our faith. We can be thankful that through God’s grace and mercy He has preserved us as His own. We are happy when we can experience the joy of believing. Patience Is Needed on the Road to Recovery George and Gloria Niemela | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - Home and Family Article -- I…beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. – Ephesians 4:1,2 In some situations, the only option is to be patient. Longsuffering and patience are something we pray for. When we can place our burden in God’s care, we find that the burden can be lightened. We must try over and over to accept that in some situations there is nothing we can do. One such situation for us involved our son and his road to recovery from addiction issues. Recovery involves the afflicted one, and the painful process touches whoever is emotionally attached to that individual. In this case, those involved included our daughter-in-law and her family, our family, grandchildren and friends. All these people have had moments of involvement. All have needed patience and longsuffering at some point. Often the gospel was sought and shared within this support group. Our role evolved as our son’s dear wife made us aware of his behaviors. We watched and listened from a distance, not really knowing what we could or should do to help. We stepped in to help with issues of personal property and legalities. Questions were asked from both sides of the family: Should we do this? Should we do that? We are thankful God granted us the strength and willingness to do what we could. We were able to contribute in practical ways. We wanted nothing more than that our son could recover. George let him know we were willing to do what we could to help him in his recovery. Eventually he reached out to us for help. We took him into our home. Others offered work for him to do. But there were relapses, time spent in treatment centers and then back home again. There was lots of communication between family and friends while on this path. This was quite trying at times. While some family members at times couldn’t get on board, we are thankful they respected our decisions and supported us. We felt the love and support of those around us, even though we didn’t always agree on things. We and our son acknowledged that God has a plan. Our son wanted to believe. When he relapsed, he would get so discouraged, but he still wanted to hear the forgiveness of all his sins in Jesus’ name and blood. We needed that assurance too for our own discouragement. He prayed. We prayed too, and I know many others remembered us in prayer as well. In those times we were able to get to know our adult son from the heart, and to us that was a gift and a blessing that came from him staying with us. There came a time when we agreed we cannot do this anymore. But yet we tried one more time. God blessed our situation, and we are thankful parents today. Our son’s recovery truly has been a miracle. This family needs continued love and support as the journey of recovery continues. We pray for longsuffering and patience for them going forward. We ask that this dear family be remembered in your prayers. In situations such as the one we have lived through, there are many questions. We have no answers. We can only be thankful to God for recovery. Everyone’s situation has different elements that go into the care for their loved one. Together we face trials that come, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). We have learned firsthand the deep meaning in these words: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15). Discussion Questions How does your personal faith help you endure hardships and maintain patience during difficult times? How does suffering – and the need for patience and perseverance – influence our relationship with our Creator? The book of Job relates of how Job suffered many afflictions and trial during his life. What do you recall of these trials? Describe how Job responded. Isaiah 40:31 says that “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” In what ways is this message relevant today, amid the issues we face in today’s society? How can we support and encourage one another to wait on the Lord and persevere in faith, even when the road ahead appears difficult?

The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - Editorial -- An important reason to celebrate Father’s Day and Mother’s Day is that these days offer children an opportunity to think and talk about their relationship with their own father and mother. Father’s Day brings an opportunity to reflect on parenting and the role of fathers in their children’s lives. On this day, we wish to celebrate fathers’ lifelong task, a task that is also a calling and a gift given by God. A child’s needs for caring and guidance change over time, but the care and guidance do not cease to be necessary. The words and actions of a believing father are a profound message to a child. To all children a believing parent is a wonderful gift. Some may experience pain and longing on Father’s Day due to a father that is deceased or one who is distant or estranged. Fathers can also know pain for being separated from their children. Such ones, along with all of God’s children, can rejoice that we all share a heavenly Father whose love is perfect. In His care, and through forgiveness, broken relationships can be mended over time. Fathers are called to be many things: a positive role model of a believer, of an adult, of a man, a spouse. Fathers are active caregivers and show love through actions. Fathers are patient and protective, loving, supporting and understanding. Fathers have ears to listen and time to spend with spouse and children. Fathers put away distractions, such as their mobile device, and instead turn their attention on their offspring. A father’s love is measured in time and attention. Learning to be this kind of role model and practicing the many qualities it entails can be confusing and daunting. Men may have to step outside their comfort zones and learn and practice new skills, duties and roles. It is okay to feel not ready or not prepared. Fathers can face many challenges in their demanding role. Each must balance work and family demands with social obligations, service in God’s kingdom and personal interests. Financial pressure or the stress of providing for a large or growing family can increase a father’s burdens. Some may be drawn to entertainment or pastime pursuits. Fathers have many decisions to make in life on behalf of themselves and their families, and they can feel overwhelmed and unprepared to make big decisions. Married fathers also have a responsibility to contribute to upkeeping an intact, balanced relationship with their spouse. A healthy relationship among adults in the home provides a safe growing environment for children. The atmosphere at home, the ability to love and feel loved is more important than the external framework of the home. The familiar Lord’s Benediction teaches us one simple way to practice many of these skills. In this prayer we twice ask God to look at us, to turn His face to us. Think how bereft we would be if our heavenly Father – or our earthly father – looked away and did not know us or acknowledge us. When we take time to look at our children of all ages, see and hear them, and listen with interest to what they want to communicate to us, we go a long way toward building a solid relationship in which the child feels valued and safe. Amid the many larger and smaller challenges fathers may face, it is good to remember that not all men are the same, not all fathers are identical to one another, and nor do they need to be. It is good that each father leans into his own strengths and faces the joys and challenges that life brings with his own set of God-given gifts. Amid doubts of incompleteness or inadequacy, fathers can still know the great joy of fatherhood. God will bless fathers’ honest efforts.

John Stewart | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - The Sabbath Word -- Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. – Psalm 32:1,2,5–8 The psalms of King David reveal that he was a man who experienced and deeply knew the power and importance of God’s forgiveness in failings, trials and tribulations of life. David was gifted in expressing his thoughts of God’s grace and forgiveness through poems, songs, and music which have been preserved for us in the Book of Psalms. King David loved music. The Bible relates that David played the harp and also indicates that, even as a young man, music was close to his heart. It is not surprising therefore that Biblical scholars consider Psalm 32 to have been a musical or liturgical piece of David that was later used as a poem or hymn in ancient Israel’s worship services. David opens the psalm by describing the blessed condition of a child of God who journeys in this life with sins forgiven and in “whose spirit there is no guile”. David then contrasts the blessed, happy condition experienced when one journeys holding faith and a good conscience against the misery he personally suffered when attempting to travel under the weight of a burdened conscience. The difference between the two conditions is stark. Under a pressing burden of sin, David experienced the dryness of a scorching summer sun that parches a desert to drought. Sin pressed on his heart day and night. When he kept silence even his “bones waxed old” all day long. As Psalm 32 continues to unfold, David describes the return of deep joy and freedom when he was able to “confess” his sin and thus experience God’s forgiving grace and love. Certainly, the child of God today can relate to David’s description of sins and trials that may appear as an overwhelming flood threatening to drown a weak traveler. Then God through David’s psalm provides comfort to even the weakest traveler: “Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.” In other psalms as well, David relates of God’s calling love, grace, and mercy. In Psalm 51 for example, David laments of his own sinful nature and recalls a time in his life when he’d attempted to travel under a pressing burden of sin – even unbelief. The historical Second Book of Samuel recounts the same heavy moment in David’s life and describes how God sent the prophet Nathan as an angel or messenger to him: “And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (12:13). David experienced God’s unfathomable mercy and love in the message that Nathan brought from heaven. The incident conveys a beautiful picture of the preached gospel, the audible Word which at the dawn of the New Covenant, God revealed through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is the heavenly Word that can transfer one from the darkness of unbelief to the light of living faith. The power of the gospel – the essence of which is the forgiveness of sins preached in Jesus’ name and blood by the power of the Holy Ghost – also frees the faith traveler of burdens that weigh one down and provides strength to continue the journey heavenward moment by moment. The forgiving, guiding voice of the heavenly Father bursts forth with deep comfort and love in Psalm 32! When worries and troubles of the journey press the sin-prone, tempted and doubting sojourner, there is yet great comfort in the promise God reveals to His child through David’s psalm: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - News and Notes -- June and July are confirmation school months. Some of you 2023 confirmation students may have already been confirmed at the June Camps. Confirmation is an important milestone in a young believer’s life. You students are being sent with many prayers that God would so move you to confirm your desire to travel as a child of God. Summer is camp season so please remember to serve your brothers and sisters in faith as you are able by signing up for a camp work shift in your local area or on our website. Updates on LLC Activities Education Confirmation Directors and Teachers requested a standardized lesson on sexuality. A committee developed a lesson plan and discussion group format that will be used this summer at the confirmation schools. Mission Department Beginning in June, we plan to hold monthly Bible Class lessons via Zoom for believers in Ecuador and Colombia. The first series of lessons will focus on Jesus’ parables about God’s kingdom. Communications Department At this time of year we are already planning and brainstorming features and other content for our periodicals in 2024. What would you like to see in The Voice of Zion, The Shepherd’s Voice, in our seasonal magazines or on Hearken? We welcome your input and feedback and ideas now and always. Send us a note via email to rdelacey@llchurch.org This autumn we will conduct a more formal survey on our periodicals. This will help us ensure that what we publish continues to be timely, with content that serves believers of all ages. The application period for LLC Opisto Scholarships for the 2024–25 opisto year ended mid-May. We received many applications! It is wonderful that a year abroad at a boarding school for believers continues to be an attractive option for young adults. Applicants will hear by the end of summer whether they have been awarded a scholarship. Facilities Camp season is in full operation. Volunteers continue to be the backbone to our camp system. We are thankful to God for the servants that He sends to serve at camp.

Paul Honkala | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - The Sabbath Word -- Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. – Psalm 49:5–9,15–20 The theme for the second Sunday after Pentecost is perishable and imperishable treasure. What does perishable mean? Perishable means something that will decay or go bad quickly, while imperishable means something that endures forever. It is not difficult for us to determine what kind of treasure we would want. We all want the kind of treasure that endures forever. When we own living faith we have that kind of a treasure. Faith is a gift of God, and it is the believer’s desire to keep it. However, in order to keep faith, one needs to travel putting sin and doubts away in the name and blood of Jesus. As children of God, we live under grace each day. However, we cannot boast, but rather we fall short of God’s glory, and we fall into sin each day. As children of God, we know that the power to live in faith is the gospel. Our psalm text was written by the sons of Korah. We remember the fathers of the sons of Korah; they rebelled against God and eventually perished by God’s judgment. The Old Testament relates of this event. The sons of Korah remained believing and trusting in God’s care. When they wrote this psalm they wanted to remind of the dangers of worshiping false gods, such as idols and the love of money. In verse 6 of our psalm, the writer reminds us about trusting in one’s wealth; no amount of earthly riches is sufficient to buy one’s way into eternal glory. This 49th psalm also reminds us of human glory and its danger. When we begin to think too much of ourselves, or how good we are at something, we forget that God has granted to us all that we have in this life. It is dangerous to rely on our possessions and skills, to prioritize earthly wealth over the spiritual treasures of living faith. The psalmist reminds us that when we close our eyes to this life, we take nothing with us; our money and our vain glory remain here. There is only one matter that is the most important, and that is whether one owns living faith. For that reason, the psalmist wants to remind us of that imperishable gift which endures forever. We live in a time when riches and things of this world seem to be most important to many. As the psalmist explains, these give the ungodly people a false sense of security. We can say that these matters are not far from us; we also desire the riches of this time. We are also made of flesh and our mind would desire the things of this world. As believers we pray that God would preserve us in living faith and that our priorities would always be in correct order. Faith comes first and all other matters second.

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - News and Notes -- May is a month of celebration. We celebrate the special occasion of Mother’s Day on which we can serve our mom and show thanks to her. We can also remember with gratitude those mothers whose time on earth has ended. We wish our mothers God’s rich and bountiful blessings! May marks the beginning of graduation season. Congratulations to all 2023 graduates! May you serve God and your neighbor with the skills and gifts God has placed in you. Camp activities increase throughout the month of May. Remember to serve your brothers and sisters in faith by signing up for a camp shift online. Visit our website to sign up for camp work or a kitchen shift. 2023 Summer Services The service dates this year are July 6–9. The service schedule can be found on the LLC website. A children’s service will be held in the tent on Friday afternoon and a Sunday school lesson will be held in the tent on Sunday morning. A special program in honor of LLC’s 50-year anniversary will be held Saturday afternoon. This program will feature a history presentation. Songs by North American songwriters will be sung by a continent-wide choir. A detailed 50-year LLC history exhibit will be set up on the service site. All youth activities will be hosted at the service site. RV Sites for 2023 Summer services are currently full. Please visit the website to sign up for the waitlist. Tent camping areas for families, adults, and youth ages 18 and older will be available during the service weekend. The new restroom facility will be ready for services this year. The shower facility will remain where it has been at previous services at Silver Springs. SignUpGenius will be used to coordinate work shifts. The link is available on the LLC website. Information has been sent to congregations. Please consider signing up to help Summer Services function smoothly. 2023 LLC Annual Meeting The 2023 LLC Annual meeting will be held at Rockford church on July 7. In preparation for the upcoming LLC 2023 Annual Meeting, your congregations have received the meeting material package including the proposed 2024 Operating Plan. May you prayerfully consider what has been proposed and review these items at your delegate meetings ahead of the annual meeting. Updates on LLC Activities Education A workshop for Sunday School Directors was held on April 15 at the LLC office with online participation. Twenty participants examined the updated support materials for third grade Sunday School materials. In addition, there was discussion about greater support in congregations for expanding needs relative to Sunday School. An updated curriculum for Preconfirmation will be piloted at this year’s Preconfirmation Schools. Camp Evaluation forms will be sent via email to parents and guardians following attendance at LLC-owned camp centers this year. Parents and guardians are being asked to complete these evaluations with the attendees. Information gathered from the evaluations will be used to improve future experiences at camp. Facilities Final planning was completed in April for RV Site expansion at Silver Springs. Now that our Minnesota winter is over, scheduling of the work can be completed. This effort will provide 220 electrical connections for RVs. Planning for non-electric RV sites is also being completed. The hope is to have 24 non-electric sites for use this year. Requests for additional RV sites are beyond what Silver Springs site permits; however, we continue to look for ways to accommodate all that are requesting to attend 2023 Summer Services at Silver Springs. Stony Lake lodge restoration work is planned to be completed by the end of May 2023. Mission Department We have entered a busy time, with many brothers from Scandinavia and North America traveling on mission trips. The current and upcoming trips are noted on page 13. Please remember in your prayers the brothers traveling as well as the brothers and sisters in faith that they serve. The annual plan is to hold four Ministers Webinars per year. The next webinar will be on May 25. These webinars support brothers in their duties as servants of God’s Word. Communications Department History project work continues. The manuscript of a book to be published this summer has gone through a final round of reviews and is now in the proofreading and layout stage. We extend a note of gratitude to those individuals who have diligently served over the last years in our History Project Reading Group. The regular meetings and discussions on the contents of the book are an essential part of producing the book. We are thankful our heavenly Father has given the group the heart and mind to serve in this way. In April we had our annual Subscription Drive. Efforts were made to increase awareness about our periodicals and our publications app. Ultimately we hope that the contents of these Christian publications support believers in life and faith. Our Broadcast team is yet hard at work preparing programming for our Summer services broadcast. We will be looking for volunteers to fill shifts in this area of work as well. Camp season brings camps that touch on our areas of work, including music camps and language camps. This is just one way we can foster interests and gifts that will serve Zion for years to come! Thanks to all who support these camps by sending campers and serving at camps! Meanwhile, other educational efforts continue in e.g. the form of our monthly writers workshops. Let us know if you would like to learn more and be involved in these. Did you know that our most used publication is our hymnal? It is used by thousands of people many times a week, in both print form and as our digital Songbook app. Songs and hymns of Zion are not only a historical work. There are new songs written and composed in our day as well! The LLC Hymnal Subcommittee meets regularly to review submissions of new or revised songs and translations of songs. When in coming years we have a large enough collection of fully vetted material, it will be time to plan a supplement to our current hymnal. May God bless all the work done in His kingdom!

Tom Prophet | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Since the beginning of time there has been unrest and violence. We live in a time when there seems to be little peace on earth. People and leaders strive for wealth and power, which causes turmoil. When we listen to or read the news, it seems that it would be better not to be involved since much of the news seems so negative, causing distress and anxiety. We children of God pray that there would be peace among nations. We know and pray that God will protect us, come what may. When I think of the peace that a child of God experiences, it reminds me of the heresy in God’s kingdom 50 years ago. At that time I supported the wrong spirit that was causing a division in God’s kingdom. I recall a visit to Arizona where I visited with my aunt. She said to listen to the Spirit speaking in God’s kingdom. I returned home from the trip to Arizona with services scheduled that same day. I attended the services at which Finnish minister Lenna Anttila spoke. The services touched my heart. I believed he spoke from the Holy Spirit; I heard the voice of the Good Shepherd. After the service, I told my wife that I wanted to visit with the minister, which I was able to do the next day. After our discussion, I was able to believe this wrong spirit forgiven. The peace of God came to me. I remember from the book of Acts how Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus (9:18). When Ananias laid hands on him and forgave him his sins, it was as if scales fell from his eyes and he was able to see God’s kingdom. This is how I felt when the gospel was preached to me: I also could see the beauty of God’s kingdom. The gospel brings heavenly peace to the undying soul. When we struggle in faith, we have a difficult time greeting one another with God’s peace. But when the gospel frees us from sin, we joyously greet our dear brothers and sisters in faith with God’s peace, that godly peace that comes from our heavenly Father. We have now experienced another heresy, and we want to thank God for protecting us from the sin of heresy that can lead to eternal damnation. We also wish to pray for those who have been deceived, that they could once again have God’s heavenly peace in their hearts and consciences. We Wish Each Other Peace Duane Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Home and Family Article -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22,23 The Apostle Paul, in his Letter to the Galatians spoke of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. When we travel as God’s children, believing our sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, we are united in love, which is the first fruit of the Spirit which Paul lists. Paul reminds us that if we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit. Thus, if there are no fruits of the Spirit in the life of a person, there cannot be any faith either. In my endeavor of faith, I see and marvel over the fruits of the Spirit which so are evident in my brothers and sisters in faith but seem to be so lacking in me. However, I find comfort in this that if I began to see these fruits in myself; would I then be able to see them in other believers anymore? Peace is one of the fruits of faith listed by Apostle Paul. I often feel that I don’t understand how to be sufficiently thankful for the fact that the Heavenly Father allowed me to be born into the peace and security of a believing home, a secure refuge in this world surrounding me. As a child in this home, it always felt so good when believing visitors came or we went to visit other believing families. I grew up hearing the greeting of “God’s Peace” during these occasions; also when we went to services, or met believers at other occasions, we greeted each other in the same way. Why do believers use this greeting with each other? Is it just a routine greeting, a tradition which we continue to follow? We own this peace, when we own faith in a clean conscience, and when we greet another believer we acknowledge this along with our joy that we are united in faith through the Holy Spirit. Greeting a fellow traveler in God’s Kingdom with “God’s Peace,” wherever we meet them, does bring us joy and a feeling of unity. I have often experienced this when I have been somewhere where I may not have known there are other believers present or even have expected to see other believers; like in a store, for example. I have been so happy to see another believer there, and to be able to greet them with “God’s Peace.” When we are traveling with sins on our conscience, a fellow believer’s greeting of “God’s Peace” is a reminder to us to hasten to put sin away through the grace privilege of confession, believing the gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. It is good to ponder whether we are becoming lax in greeting each other. As we enter and leave services, at haps, or in home visits, do we greet those we encounter? A greeting even in passing can strengthen our connection with others and even serve to erase loneliness one may be feeling. Older ones can serve as an example to younger ones in this seemingly small act which nonetheless serves to spread God’s love and peace. During the time of COVID restrictions, a general greeting of God’s Peace not accompanied by a handshake came more into use. Certainly we have complete Christian freedom in whether to shake hands as we greet, but where possible this small physical connection with another believer also can be appreciated by many. Without peace, a person has feelings of unrest, distress, fear and lack of trust. Let us continue to be watchful that we remain in the peace of God’s kingdom through believing the gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. Questions for Discussion Describe the feeling of peace. Is it the same for every person? How does peace come to someone who is given grace to repent? Believers greet one another with “God’s Peace.” How did this come to be? Has it always been so? How does it feel to say “God’s Peace” if you are not feeling peaceful inside? What brings us peace amid a restless world?

Natasha Warwaruk | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Column -- The Lord is in His temple. Whiteness of the snow on this sunny day causes me to squint. Sunlight creates warmth on my cheek. I tilt my head to enjoy it. It is the time of year when winter yet holds on, not wanting to give up its place for spring. But certainly spring will come! I drive my scooter down to the river where I can watch the water cascade over the pier. Pelicans swim about, searching for fish in the turbulence below. It feels good to sit and watch. A black bird catches my eye as it lands on the rocky shore. I’m pretty sure it’s a crow. I notice it’s hopping on one leg. The right claw is curled up, somehow deformed. I watch in fascination. You see, I suffer from an illness that has rendered my right limbs almost useless. The bird nimbly hops rock to rock, making it look so easy! Is it searching for food? I wonder what has happened to it and how it has survived and adapted. I soon am endowed with watching a one-legged take-off as the bird stretches its wings and flies effortlessly to its next destination. My child why are you standing outside the temple doors? My desk taunts me as I reach over my computer screen to place my water bottle out of the way. There’s a minor crash and I tip my computer screen forward a bit to see what’s going on. My heart sinks a little when I see my Willow Tree angel, the one that has a bird ready for flight in its cupped hands. A wing has broken off the grey bird. I sigh and reassure myself that I can try glue it back on. It makes me think of another angel I have, one that stands at attention beside a picture and a poem. The picture is of my nephew who died in the first year of his life, and the poem relates of a miraculous happening that night. Well, somehow that angel’s wing had gotten broken too but is glued back together so well one doesn’t notice unless it’s closely examined. There’s honey here and manna. And as I’m pondering these broken wings, I think of a message I received from a fellow traveler on heaven’s way. “Greetings from my nest. God has to clip our wings for the purpose that we don’t fly so high. Your wings have been clipped with loving care and attention...it’s wonderful to be within the flock of God’s children.” We land, pausing in our flight. Nourishing rest is provided and feathers rustle close with contentment. From day to arid darkness, oh, may I never leave. I’m not sure if I’m writing this for myself or for you. Perhaps for both of us. Do you ever experience times when the spirit of God leaps in your heart? I think it must be for joy. Joy for being with other believers, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening with rapt attention to what He has to tell us. That has been my experience at the recent winter services in Phoenix and then in the following week listening to the radio broadcasting programs. Dear child of God: go to the gatherings of the believers. There God’s spirit of love, the gospel of the forgiveness of sins, miraculously heals our broken wings. Once again we can “trill with happiness and soar” (SHZ 564). Italicized passages are from song of Zion 155. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. – 2 Cor. 4:10

Olli Vänskä interviewed Adrian Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Mission Work Field Notes -- In January 2023, LLC Mission Director Adrian Pirness traveled to Ghana and Togo, sent by LLC on a mission trip. He was joined by Olli Vänskä of Jyväskylä, Finland, whom the SRK sent. Together these brothers served in eight locations in Ghana and nine locations in Togo. Olli: This morning we left from Badou where we had services last night. Now we are traveling through a mountain range called Atokara, near the Ghana-Togo border. We’re traveling today to Lome. Dear brother, tell us who you are and what work you do. Adrian: I’m Adrian Pirness from Minnesota. My area of responsibility at the LLC is mission work, in particular the work and operations supporting believers here in Togo and other African countries, also in Ecuador. And I arrange the trips which Olli and I are now experiencing. Olli: This is your second mission trip to Africa. What are your thoughts? Adrian: It has been a joy to travel again to Africa. My first trip was last August in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. It is a joy to be warmly received here with love by brothers and sisters in faith. Olli: You are involved in Humanitarian Aid work. What kind of needs are there in this work today? Adrian: Humanitarian Aid work is quite broad. There are emergency needs. For example, if somebody becomes ill and needs medical care, humanitarian aid reacts through local committees when those requests come so we can support that. Additionally there are regular need grants that are to generally support the believers. When we celebrated Christmas, a Christmas grant was sent. When we were in Ghana we met a sister who had submitted a request that she would be able to buy equipment to open a sewing business. The humanitarian aid committee received this request, they considered it and decided this was a good use of humanitarian aid funds. We were able to visit this sister in her sewing shop one morning. She has been able to purchase the equipment and pay for the structure where her business is. We remembered in prayer to God that He would bless her efforts and in this way she could be able to support herself. Maybe her business is able to grow and she’s able to hire other people to work for her. Humanitarian Aid also supports these opportunities. Olli: It certainly was nice to see how thankful she was for this donation and help that she got from believers. It’s a concrete way to help dear brothers and sisters. Was there some specific moment on this trip that you would like to share with other believers? Adrian: On a long day of travel, we had to stop for car repairs. Then we gathered that evening in Hatsukope and as night had fallen, we went to a courtyard where they had lights on. Adults and children were waiting there. It was a warm gathering, and I particularly remember that that evening we experienced that love that we feel between believers. We had a Sunday school lesson and a sermon, and then we were able to visit afterwards. One brother asked how we show love for our brothers and sisters in faith. It prompted a warm and open discussion on how we can of course bless one another with the forgiveness of sins, but how else do we show love? Others answered that we can show love by acknowledging one another, greeting one another, asking how is it going and visiting in each other’s homes. It just felt that there was such a desire in this congregation to gather in that way. Olli: Yes, it was a very nice evening. What comes to mind when you think about mission work? Adrian: Mission work is God’s work. I marvel that there are places you don’t even know exist before you travel there. And God has called His own in these places. And we are able to come and gather together around God’s Word to discuss the way and journey with brothers and sisters in faith. It is God’s work, He continues to call His own and then when we’re asked to serve, we simply serve with that gift God has given. We hope and pray that God then blesses the work. God opens the possibilities for the work of His kingdom to go forward. This time of visitation remains as long as there are those who wish to endeavor and travel in faith. God knows the length of this time. Olli: Thank you, Adrian. I wish God’s blessing in your work there at the LLC office. Thanks for traveling with me here in Africa. Adrian: Thank you, Olli, it’s been a joy to travel together with you.