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Aaron Anderson | The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - The Sabbath Word 4 Article -- I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. – Daniel 7:9,10,13,14  Daniel was a believing man who lived in Babylon during the Jewish exile, more than five centuries before the coming of Christ. God gave Daniel gifts to be used for both temporal and spiritual purposes. He served the highest in the land in the king’s court and there was given the strength to confess his faith.  One result of his confession landed him in the lion’s den where God delivered him from certain death. In this foreign land of Babylon Daniel and the other believers were surrounded by those who did not serve the living God. In this environment, God gave Daniel visions to strengthen his and other believers’ faith with the certainty that the Lord of heaven and earth still rules. Babylon, like every kingdom of this world, was a temporal kingdom and its kings would fade. The true King was not Nebuchadnezzar. Not Cyrus. Not any ruler of men. The true King was the Son of Man who would come to rule forever.  Jesus used this title often: “Son of Man.” He came humbly, not with clouds of heaven, but with a mother’s embrace among manger’s straw. He walked among us, bore our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was despised, rejected, and then crucified. But the Father raised Him and gave Him all authority in heaven and on earth. The vision is fulfilled: Christ reigns.  Then, as now, we do not always see it. Nations boast. Wars rage. The strong trample the weak. Violence abounds. Self-righteous men proclaim loudly of their devotion to Christ. In this environment the believer often fears, and doubts press close. Sin burdens the conscience. It can seem that Christ’s kingdom is small, fragile, hidden. But Daniel’s vision reminds us what is true: the Son of Man has everlasting dominion. His kingdom is not destroyed. His reign is sure.  Where is His throne? It is here, in His kingdom. In his congregation on earth. His kingdom is revealed in a way so different from the kingdoms of humans. Not with might or weapons, but with the gentle power of the gospel: the still, small voice of the spirit. When a believer through the Holy Spirit proclaims sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, His kingdom draws nigh. The restless heart is quietened. The conscience answers with peace. No earthly king’s decree can do the same.  Daniel saw how God himself was seated in majesty on the last day, judgment day, and the books were opened. His throne was fiery with countless hosts standing before Him. Our flesh can even tremble to read the words and think about Judgement Day. He saw the Son of Man, approaching with the clouds of heaven. Dominion, glory, and a kingdom were given to Him – an everlasting kingdom that will never pass away.  Earthly powers pass away. The Word incarnate remains. His forgiveness is sure: we live in that everlasting kingdom here and now when we believe our sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood! The Ancient of Days reigns, the books are open, and the Son of Man is given everlasting dominion. Even now, His peace is ours.  “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”  (Isa. 9:7)

The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - Home & Family Articles -- Luther wrote, “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” Such faith cannot remain hidden – it naturally confesses, whether by word, deed, or quiet steadfastness in everyday life.  In a world that often misunderstands or rejects faith, believers may feel hesitant to speak openly about what they believe. Yet Jesus promises, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32).  As the writers in this issue show, confession of faith takes many forms: a conversation at work, honesty about personal values, or a child’s simple answer at school. We may anticipate rejection, but often find respect, curiosity, and even gratitude in return. God calls His children to not fear the world, but to live in it, trusting that in every place and circumstance, He gives words, courage, and grace to be His light.  Confessing Faith in the Workplace  John Juntunen  When I first moved to Utah from Minnesota in September 2021, my plan was to stay for only a year before moving back. It quickly became evident that I would not return to Minnesota any time soon, so I began expanding my professional network in the area.  For the last nine years, I have worked as a CPA both in Minnesota and Utah. Often, people think of a CPA as an office job with little personal interaction. In my experience, that has not been the case. I have been responsible for business development and client management – both in the firm where I previously worked and now in my own CPA firm.  Through these roles, I have had the opportunity to interact regularly and deeply with those outside of God’s kingdom. To build trust, one must connect on a personal level. In doing so, topics such as faith, lifestyle, and hobbies often arise. As a result, confessing my faith has become a nearly daily occurrence.  In Minnesota, many of the networking events I attended centered around alcohol. When I began attending events in Utah, I noticed that alcohol was never present. Many in this area belong to faiths that emphasize moral living, family life, and abstaining from certain worldly behaviors. Their values and outward lifestyle resemble those of believers in some ways.  I have found that living and working among people of strong faith backgrounds can be easier than in more secular environments. Faith is a common topic – even in professional settings. Yet, even though we may share outward similarities, we know that true faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and we must hold fast to what God’s Word teaches.  Matthew 10:32–33 reminds us to confess our faith: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”  I have found that the best way to confess my faith is to be open and honest about what I believe – and to have that conversation early in a relationship rather than later. Not only does God teach us to live in this way, but it also makes future interactions easier. People understand from the beginning that I do not participate in sinful activities, and they tend to respect that. People outside of God’s Kingdom are often open and receptive to hearing how we believe.  The confession of faith can be difficult because we wonder what the reaction will be. Yet, we should strive to overcome that doubt, remembering that our conversation may be the moment they see the Light. We can trust that God will bless us, our life of faith, and our relationships when we live obediently.   Wherever We Live  Logan Jurmu  Our family has been blessed to live in several different areas in recent years. This year, we moved to Utah Valley, leaving behind our home congregation in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Each move has been bittersweet, yet we’ve seen how God hears our prayers and guides our way. We’ve come to recognize that each place has its own identity, and yet, as believers, we are called to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Wherever we live, our desire remains the same: to journey as God’s children, trusting His care in every circumstance.  During our time in Denver, we were somewhat isolated from a home congregation – a new experience for both my wife and me, as we had grown up in believing homes and congregations where we were cared for. For a time, ministers from the Colorado congregation came monthly to serve the small flock of believers. We deeply felt the unity of the Spirit during those visits and how our hearts longed to hear God’s Word and the joyous message of the gospel. Often, only a few were gathered, but as Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Those who came with their families to serve that small flock felt like angels from heaven.  Now that we’ve moved from an area that is less religious to a predominantly religious one, we’ve noticed that even when outward values may appear similar, it can still be difficult to confess our faith. God’s Word instructs us to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). Paul also writes, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).  Though God’s Word is clear, my flesh has often desired to fit in at school or work and resisted being different. Satan tempts with half-truths and lies, convincing us not to confess our faith for fear of ridicule. Yet, when God gives strength to confess freely, we often find that classmates, coworkers, and neighbors respond kindly and appreciate our willingness to share what we believe.  We journey with the prayer our Lord Jesus prayed for all believers: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15). God knows our lives and does not wish to remove us from this world, but to protect us from its evil. As His children, we travel under His rich grace, knowing He is with us always, and that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).   Confessing Faith at School  Adeline Moll  In a small congregation like in Utah Valley, it’s common for believing kids to have friendships with classmates who don’t share their faith. I talked with several young people – Adam Hillstrom (11), Aiden Byman (9), Barrett Niemela (12), Vivian Skoog (12), Anabelle Niemela (14), and Sadie Jurmu (9) – about how they confess their faith and interact with others at school.  I asked about experiences where classmates have noticed they are different in some way. Adam said “They’ve never really noticed I was different, but they’ve asked if I’ve seen a movie, and I say I don’t watch movies.” Aiden added, “I say to them we don’t have a TV.”  Barrett remembered his friends asking last year if he was going trick-or-treating. “I told them I wasn’t going and they wondered why, so I told them at our church we don’t dress up and go trick-or-treating.” “There were girls that noticed I was different– like not watching movies or dancing – so I explained a bit about what we believe,” Vivian said.  People have asked Anabelle if she’s Mormon because of her large family. “I say no and tell them that I’m Laestadian Lutheran. They usually don’t know what it is, and I explain a bit more about what we believe.”  All the kids shared that they have friends at school who don’t share their faith. They can see how these friends are different from their believing friends. Sadie said, “Some of them have earrings or painted nails, and we don’t do that.” A friend invited her over to get her nails painted. “I told her we don’t do that, and I don’t think I can come if we’re doing that.”  Anabelle reflected on the difference in her friendships with those not in faith compared to believers: “I don’t talk about matters of faith with them, but with believing friends, I can talk with them about anything.”  As young ones face questions about their faith at school, we pray that God continues to give them strength and words to confess their faith and be a light unto the world.   Living Alongside Those of Another Faith  Katie Anderson  Four years ago, our family moved to Utah, a region where a faith community is deeply interwoven into many aspects of life. We quickly learned how its influence shapes local culture, routines, and expectations. Daily activities – school, community events, even business practices – often reflect the values and rhythms of the predominant faith.  My personal experiences in conversation and interaction have been overwhelmingly positive. People here are generally benevolent and conscientious, with values similar to our own. When you move in as their neighbor, they show up to help you unload your moving truck, and when your toddlers escape from the backyard, they’ll kindly bring them back. It’s easy to settle into the comfort of people who understand life with many children, avoid the vices of this world, and dedicate time each Sunday to worship.  Faith conversations arise naturally. People often ask what church we attend or what we believe. I’ve found that most are eager to share about their faith and curious about mine. Many express appreciation that we, too, hold Christian values, though our beliefs differ.  Over time, as I’ve learned more about various teachings and practices, I’ve realized how crucial it is to remain grounded in the truth of God’s Word. Outward goodness or similarity of lifestyle does not equal faith in Christ’s atoning work. Jesus once warned of appearances that may seem righteous yet conceal what is lifeless within (Matt. 23:27). It’s a sobering reminder to look beyond what seems wholesome and remember where salvation truly lies.  As a mother, I feel both comforted and cautious living among those of another faith. Their kindness and family-centered way of life make it easy to relax and let down one’s guard. Yet I remind myself – and my children – that salvation does not come through moral living or good works, but through faith in the forgiveness of sins. We are called to live lovingly and peaceably with all, while holding firmly to the faith that gives life.   Discussion Questions  What does it mean to “confess our faith” in today’s world? In what ways can confession happen without words?  Why do you think believers might anticipate a negative response when they share their faith?  How can we balance being “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:15,16)?  What can we learn from the openness and honesty of children when they explain their faith to others?  How might living among people of another faith – such as in Utah – help us better understand both our own beliefs and the importance of confession?  In what ways can believers support one another in confessing faith courageously and lovingly?

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion  November 2025 - News & Notes Article -- As families across the United States gather for Thanksgiving, we do so mindful of the season that soon follows – Advent and Christmas. These weeks invite us first to thank God for the priceless gift of faith, and then for the daily provisions which He provides us. In this gratitude, the the hearts of God’s children are prepared for the celebration of our Savior’s birth.  It is my hope and prayer that our conversations during these days of celebration – whether around family tables or in fellowship with believers – may be open and free, even when touching on challenging or sensitive matters. Yet may they always conclude in the joyous sermon of faith: by faith our endeavor would conclude in heaven.  The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “By faith the elders obtained a good testimony” (Heb. 11:2). On All Saints’ Eve, we recall this truth with thankfulness. The same faith that carried the saints of old now comforts and strengthens us as we continue the work of God’s kingdom today.  Updates on LLC Activities  Global Mission Work  We experience how much of the work we do is done together with brothers and sisters in Sweden and Finland. Adrian Pirness travels to the SRK office in Finland in early November for work sessions and meetings for global mission work.  Recently the believers in Ecuador and in Liberia have submitted necessary paperwork to be registered as a church in their respective countries.  A translators camp was arranged as part of an October mission trip to Guinea. Three members from the mission work translators team traveled to support this camp. Brothers from Liberia and Sierra Leone traveled to participate in the camp.  A webinar was arranged in late September to visit with pastors in Pakistan and India who have recently received the grace of repentance. We discussed the topic of the priesthood of believers.  Education  Part of Global Mission Work is education. A Learning Materials & Education Team (LMET) is developing teaching materials to support teachers in foreign mission areas. There are plans for three lesson booklets. The prayer of the LMET is to complete the first book by the end of 2025. These materials will also be available for LLC congregations and camp boards.  Pastoral  Area Mission Committees and boards have been gathering for their fall meetings. These sessions focus on local business matters and include planning for the year ahead. We’ve seen how valuable it is to share updates, communicate needs, and work together to serve the congregations within each area.  Arto and Helena Tölli have completed their mission trip in North America. They visited many congregations throughout North America. We have experienced the blessing of the exchange trips with our sister organizations. Through these trips we are able to hear God’s Word and the unity of the Spirit through services. It also gives us the opportunity to discuss mutual work.  We have begun planning for 2026 LLC Winter and Summer Services. A kickoff meeting was held at the Menahga church September 23. LLC representatives attended, shared planning information and formally began the planning for the upcoming services.  Publications Department  Content Creators Workshops have been held at Stony Lake Camp in September and Phoenix Arizona in October. The workshops included writing support, creating melodies and arrangements, visual arts, developing material for LLC Services broadcasts and setting up the broadcast studio. An online broadcast was held at each event.  A hymnal supplement of thirteen new hymns will be available November 14, 2025. These hymns are an assortment of new and translated hymns. Some of the melodies and arrangements for these hymns are also new. The new supplement will only be available digitally and on the LLC Songbook app. Note that due to outdated technology, the older LLC Hymnal app will not contain the new hymnal supplement.  Liisa Keranen, LLC Music Coordinator, continues to visit congregations and discuss updates in the area of music work along with music in the life of a believer and in congregation life.  Time for Words , the first young adult (YA) novel written by a North American believer, is available for sale. Heli Jurmu wrote the book and provided illustrations.

Kolet Simonson   |  The Shepherd’s Voice  October/November 2025 - Home and Family Article –   Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. – Ps. 32:1   Some of the words in this Bible verse are words that we know, while others might be ones that we haven’t heard before. Let’s take a look at the words.   Blessed  is a word we may hear at services. In simple words, to be blessed is to be fortunate or lucky. We could say we are blessed or lucky to have our homes and our families. As believers we understand that these things are blessings given by God. Can you think of other blessings from God?   Transgression  is another new word. When we do something that we are not supposed to do, like breaking a rule, we call it a transgression. Jumping on the couch might be against the rules in your home. If you jump on the couch, you have broken the rules and it would be a transgression. When we do things that God does not want us to do, we call it sin, and it is a transgression against God.   The last words we should look at in this verse are forgiven  and covered . Have you heard the message: “Believe all your sins forgiven  in Jesus’ name and blood”? These words that we hear at services and in our homes tell us that our sins or transgressions  are covered  by Jesus' blood. When we believe this message, our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God.   As God’s children, we truly are blessed that our sins are forgiven!   “Let your hearts be light and joyful, for your sins are washed away in the name and blood of Jesus, buried in the sea of grace.” – Song of Zion 450, verse 3   Things to visit about Can you think of blessings from God in your own life? What is an example of a transgression (breaking a rule) at home or at school? How does it make you feel to know that your sins are forgiven and forgotten by God?

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - News & Notes Article -- In October, the focus at the LLC office turns to planning. We begin looking more closely at how to carry out the 2026 Operating Plan and prepare for the upcoming LLC Board Meeting. Several board committees will also gather during the month. In addition, we’ll connect with camp boards following the recent LLC Camp Board Workshop as we look ahead to planning for 2026 and early 2027. October also brings time to reflect on the Stony Lake Content Creators Workshop and other recent projects.  We are excited to announce that Adeline Moll has been hired to work as the LLC Facilities and Events Planning Manager. We are happy to welcome Adeline and wish her God’s richest blessings in the work.  October is when a number of congregations hold Fall Services. We wish to remember these gatherings around God’s Word in prayer. May God bless these moments for the strengthening of faith and to bring comfort from the fellowship of believing escorts. To our Canadian readers, Happy Thanksgiving!  Updates on LLC Activities  Pastoral  The 2025 Minister and Wives Camp was held at Prairie Shores Camp September 19–21. There were approximately 65 ministers and their wives that were able to attend this event. We were able to hear presentations and visit around the topics titled “The Gospel Begins at Home,” “Music in Zion” and “Supporting Those Experiencing Mental Illness.” God blessed our time together.  Arto Tölli and his wife Helena are serving many congregations in North America through the month of October. Arto will also attend the October LLC Board meeting.  The 2026 Service and Events calendar has been shared with congregations and those that have been asked to serve. There are over 350 events that are scheduled as camps, congregation special services and LLC trips.  Global Mission Work  In the fall, the Local Operations Team works with each country to plan in-country activities and related expenses. This collaboration is part of the budget planning process for the global mission work and more broadly LLC budgeting for 2027. Trips and plans for 2026 are also adjusted during the Fall to ensure that mission work continues to serve believers in their own communities and areas.  Facilities  The addition of additional LLC staff, approved at the LLC Annual meeting in July, has caused us to consider the existing office spaces and how they can be adjusted to better serve the needs. Plans are underway to add three office spaces at the LLC Office. Pending final approval, we expect completion around December 1, 2025.   The Silver Springs Camp Board continues to work through the considerations of constructing a new structure to support service events at Silver Springs. A building committee has been formed to assist in the planning of this structure.   Publications  At the LLC Annual Meeting on July 2, 2025, in Outlook, Sask., delegates approved adding one full-time equivalent position to the Publications Department. During September and October, following a review of changing and expanding needs, a decision will be made regarding the specific roles to be filled.  The LLC Communications Department has been reorganized into the Publications Department. Phil Jurmu has been appointed Publications Director, and Matt Keranen has assumed the role of Editor and Content Curator. In the coming months, Sandra Pylvainen will transition to a part-time position, with her responsibilities refocused on supporting fiction writers.  This fall, we will publish a digital hymnal supplement, approximately a dozen new songs, on the Songbook app. Note that we are able to publish these only on the LLC Songbook  app, and not on the older SHZ Hymnal app. Chorale arrangements will be available digitally as well. More information on this update will be sent to congregations in the coming month.  We will publish The Voice of Zion  in an updated format beginning January 2026. The content will remain the same, but the issue that arrives in your mailbox will look more like a magazine than a newspaper. This aim of this new format is to increase readability and also to provide more flexibility in how much content is published each issue.  The Voice of Zion  subscription will change slightly as well: Easter Messenger  will become the March issue of The Voice of Zion , and Christmas in Zion  will serve as the December issue of The Voice of Zion . These seasonal magazines will remain the same as before. In other words, the subscription will now comprise eleven items per year instead of the previous thirteen.  Our annual Content Creators Workshop, held September 12–14 at Stony Lake Camp, was well attended. There were three tracks: music composition, services broadcast, and writing. Harri Vähäjylkkä, SRK’s Communications Director, attended the workshop and kept several presentations, including one on current and future trends in communications and publications in God’s kingdom.

The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - Home & Family Articles -- We live in a world where social media has become part of daily life. Like many tools, it carries both blessings and dangers. On one hand, it offers opportunities for connection, encouragement, and sharing life with others – even across great distances. On the other, it can easily consume our time, feed comparison, or expose us to influences that weaken faith. The challenge for each of us is to approach social media thoughtfully, with prayer, balance, and awareness of the example we set.   In these articles, members of the Rockford, Minn., congregation ponder both the good and the potentially harmful sides of social media, and how we as Christians can walk carefully in this space while letting our light shine. Be with Us as We Use Our Devices  Stan and Briana Laulainen Dear Heavenly Father,   We write to you this day with sincere hope and prayer that You would guide our hearts as we share some of our thoughts about social media and its content. We are so faulty and weak. If we have strayed, steer us back to the center of the flock. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23,24). We are faced with many temptations; we battle the enemy of souls and our sin-corrupt flesh every day.  Dear God, may You be with us as we use our devices. Faith is personal. We are not a kingdom of rules. Each believer is given the gift of the Holy Spirit and a conscience, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:9, “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” May God’s kingdom be a support for us as we make choices with what is appropriate content on social media. Amen.  Blessings and Dangers  There are many blessings surrounding social media. We can stay connected to friends from friends far and wide. We can share our life experiences with close ones or the public. Resources found on social media or the internet can be used for a variety of purposes, whether for research or education or listening to live service events or archived sermons.   On the other hand, screen time can present dangers too. Before one even realizes, they can be faced with the addiction of screen time and its content. Behavior issues can arise,especially among children. Discontentedness can come from comparing one person’s life against another person’s life, desiring to have similar items, lifestyle and opportunities. Another danger of excessive screen time is when it prevents a person from being fully present at haps or visiting in general.   Even though there is a lot of good information and advice on the internet and social media, some viewpoints are contrary to God’s Word. With so much available on our portable devices nowadays, it is quite easy to fall into gray areas. Worldly music is often part of many posts and videos on various platforms. Content that seems harmless can begin to lead a believer astray.  Be Sober and Vigilant  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The enemy of souls starts with our little finger, then takes our whole hand, then our arm, then our whole body. Bit by bit he creeps in and pulls one from the center of the flock to the outskirts. Unforgiven sin hardens the heart and conscience and can lead to separating us from God. Eventually, a traveler has strayed out of God’s kingdom. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:2).  As the world continues to move farther from God, we as God’s children desire to be our brother’s keeper. If there is concern about the content a fellow traveler is posting, it is our hope and prayer that we can visit with that person. And if offense has been caused, we would want to take care of matters. We cannot make the journey to our heavenly home alone. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:1–5).   Being Yourself in Person and Online  Sarina Siljander Driving down the familiar road to Hasscib for Mid-Summer Services, my heart starts beating a little faster. I am excited! But also nervous. Here I am again, showing up alone to a social function where I know I belong and want to be and will be so happy I came, but the shy girl in me also knows I will stumble over my words at times and not know what to say besides “Hello, God’s Peace and good to see you!” How will the ice that separates small talk from connection be broken this time?  That thought leaves my mind as I walk towards the main lodge and into the sanctuary for the start of services. I see many familiar faces and experience many happy greetings and smiles. So many people I want to say hi to! I still don’t know what will be said after that, but over the years I’ve also learned to try get used to that feeling. If nothing else, the weather is an easy topic.  “Hello Sarina, God’s Peace!” I am greeted by a friend from my former home congregation who I haven’t seen for at least a year or more. “I want to know, have your couches arrived yet?”  My heart bursts with warmth and genuine laughter bubbles from my stomach, where all the nerves of social anxiety were having a heyday. The ice between small talk and genuine connection has broken.  You see, I enjoy sharing some of my life on social media and my most recent stories at that time had been about the furniture I had ordered for my house. I never assume anyone has seen or followed anything I have shared, but I find so much joy when these kinds of connections happen!  I enjoy photography, videography, story writing, and I especially enjoy connecting with people. No one believes that I was a really shy child. They just see the adult that has come of that shy child and don’t always realize the tools I use to help me connect with people, something that means so much to me.  I have found it easier to stay connected with more people using social media rather than phone calls and text messages. Somehow social media feels less intrusive, less demanding. Texting can make it feel more of an obligation to respond where direct messages in social media are nice to get to when you can. Social media is, for me, a non-intrusive way to stay connected with more people than I would otherwise.  It has always been important to me that I would be my genuine self as much as possible online as well as in person. When the purpose is to use this tool to stay connected, how genuine would it be if I just shared picture-perfect, curated content only? That’s not me. I would probably not dare show face in real life if I only curled my hair for online pictures when in real life I barely curl my hair. I think it would feel like I was living two lives, one online and one in the real world.  I have an online presence for business purposes also, including several social media accounts, websites, and YouTube channels. Some are for online-only businesses that are content or product-driven, or both. My main career is as a real estate agent, and I use those platforms for business awareness and to market properties.  The advice for growing an online business is all across the board: the algorithms are always changing, people are always selling this or that tool or online course to show you the best way to be found by customers online. I don’t know if this is still the case, but for a while the advice given to make viral reels on Instagram was to use “trending audio” on your content. This would then allow the reel to ride the success the audio was experiencing to increase your reel’s exposure. Is this part of what has led some to make music choices that are concerning and not something a believer would want to use?  A few years ago, we created a small group of believing small business owners in our area to meet regularly to discuss business. It started with the focus being social media because online is such a lonely place. It can feel like you are talking to a brick wall. This is still a focus in our discussions. We want to be our brothers’ keepers.  Even outside this group, we want to be our brother’s keeper with anyone we see online. It can be hard to do because no one of us is better than the other. When we see or hear something concerning, we can pray for the opportunity to say something to that person and for the words to say. I likewise hope that someone would reach out to me if I offend or have caused concern with something I have posted.  With both my personal accounts and my business accounts, I wish to always stay true to who I am as a person and as a believer. I would cautiously say I think there is a place for believers to be content creators in the online world, just like in the real world.  Along with blessings of the online world come many dangers. I think the ease of access is one of the biggest dangers. In the real world, we would have to drive to a movie theater, buy a ticket, walk in and sit down. In the online world we simply have to click on a website or an app. Technology can feed us temptations in the forms of popups, ads and “for you” content – sometimes it is content that we would never want to see but somehow it has now been delivered to us.  Another real danger with the online world is how lonely the experience can be. Not only lonely in the sense that our time spent there might feel like it’s fulfilling our need for real social interaction, but also lonely in the sense of being alone somewhere where no one else can see what you are doing.    As I was walking to my car at the end of Mid-Summer Services, I heard a car coming up behind me on its way out. The vehicle slowed, the window opened, and with a big smile the driver told me, “I’ll be waiting to see when your couches are delivered! Goodbye, God’s Peace!”   Before I post, comment or scroll, what are some good questions I can ask myself about my online presence?  Why am I posting or sharing this?  How much of my time is being spent online?  What kinds of things am I choosing to share?  Do I have permission before posting about someone else?  What message am I sending – does it let my light shine?  Could what I share be misunderstood or cause offense, even unintentionally?  Am I being a brother’s keeper online as well as in person? Phone Time  Debra Herrala  I find myself easily getting caught in the web of influencer stories and balancing reality. Nursing my baby and scrolling my phone. The 2 year old in the kitchen goes unnoticed. Soon I have powdered sugar all over the counter and floor. My patience is low because I’m distracted, and I snap. Is this the example I want to set as a mother to my children?   I lay my sleeping baby down, put my Hearken  app playing music, and set my phone aside. While I reflect on this moment and others like it, it makes me ponder the impact phone usage has on homes around us. Grandmas and grandpas lonely in their chair, teens craving constant interaction, and all ages in between.  Social media platforms can be a great way to stay in contact with family and friends from all over the world. Whether we share pictures or video clips, we get a glimpse of life in their corner.   While it comes with blessings, it can easily take over the day, and time spent “doom scrolling” might keep us from meeting up with a friend. Perhaps a post we had to perfect before sharing, made the evening at haps slip by staring at our phone and not visiting the ones in the same room. We quickly compare the places this person is going, or how another is redecorating a space again. Contentment for what we have can quickly vanish while comparison and envy take over.  Do we remember to connect with each other in person? Or does snapping someone replace the value of face-to-face connection? Are we allowing apps on our phone to replace the connection we have with our spouse? What example are we setting for those child eyes that are always watching?  It’s important to prioritize putting phones aside and spending time having a meal and quality time together without distraction. It is important to have boundaries for our own time usage, so we can also set them for our children. We can only teach by the example we ourselves are to others. Is what the kids view over your shoulder something you’d share with your own parent? Even the music that plays behind the stories we scroll; while we may tune them out, their little ears soak in, confusing the instruction of what’s appropriate. The sports game highlights they see over the arm of the couch can cloud the instruction of not letting sports become close to our flesh.   We can quickly become immune to the things we scroll past, and soon our own posts have background music or photo filters we wouldn’t have otherwise used. This again gives pause to consider the light we are being to those around us. While we scroll, create, post and like, may we keep in mind the instruction in Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”   What is doom scrolling?  Doom scrolling  is when we keep scrolling through news or social media longer than we mean to, often leaving us feeling weighed down instead of refreshed. Discussion Questions  Connection vs. Comparison: How can we use social media to genuinely connect with others without slipping into comparison or envy?   Boundaries and Balance: What practical boundaries could we set for ourselves and our families to keep social media in its right place?   Authenticity: What does it mean to be genuine and “real” in what we share online? How might curated or “picture-perfect” content affect others?   Influence and Example: How do the things we watch, post, or listen to online shape the example we set for our children, friends, and congregation?  Brother’s Keeper: In what ways can we look out for one another online? How might we lovingly address concerning content, or receive feedback ourselves? Faith and Conscience: How can we prayerfully use our conscience and God’s Word to navigate gray areas in online life?

The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - Editorial -- On the wilderness journey, God’s people had daily reminders of His care: manna in the morning, water from the rock, a guiding pillar of cloud and fire. Yet they often murmured, doubting whether God’s way was good. Their fear and lack of trust took many forms: distrust of Moses’ leadership, longing for Egypt, or rash attempts to secure victory by their own strength. However different the expression, the root was the same: a lack of faith that leaned on human understanding instead of God’s promises.  We are not so different. In every age, believers are tempted to murmur in their own ways. Sometimes we are drawn to anxious speculations about the world around us, stories that promise hidden knowledge or expose perceived dangers. At other times, we may rely too much on our wealth, health, or strength. Still others place confidence in human wisdom or clever arguments. These forms may differ, but the danger is alike: the restless desire to be in control rather than to trust the Father’s care.  Scripture urges us to turn from such self-reliance: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5,6). Christ Himself quiets our fears: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).  Martin Luther, too, spoke against anxious striving. “God is not served by our anxious thoughts, but by our faith” (WA 10/3, 252). In his Small Catechism he taught: “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” He knew how easily the human heart tries to “help” God by adding its own plans, or by resting in perceived knowledge. Yet the true service God desires is simple trust in His promises.  We can also be tempted to a sense of a special duty – as if seeing dangers others do not gives us a spiritual task, or as if guarding the kingdom rests on our watchfulness. But the apostle reminds us that “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (2 Tim. 2:24). Christ has not called us to live in suspicion, but to live as children who rest secure in His victory.  When we encounter one another in fear or doubt, we needn’t argue. Rather, we can encourage faith. Like a parent calming a child who fears the monster under the bed, we remind one another: “Your Father is here. He keeps watch. You are safe.” Sometimes the most powerful witness is quiet confidence in God’s rule.  The armor God gives us is not suspicion, but gifts we receive in the gospel: the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6). With these we are not called to delve into every rumor, but to stand fast in Christ’s triumph.  Israel was told to remember: the Red Sea, the manna, the covenant. We also remember: Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. The world’s shadows and troubles are real, but Christ’s victory is more real still. In Him, our restless fears are exchanged for peace. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

Tommi Kinnunen | The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - Round the Table Article -- Struggling with mental health – such as depression – can cloud how we hear God’s Word and weigh heavily on our faith. Though Scripture promises God is near, hearts can feel distant. Words that once comforted may seem empty, prayers vanish into silence, and congregation life – once joyful – can feel exhausting. At times even entering church feels impossible. Depression can numb the spirit and raise questions: is my faith weaker than others? Yet Scripture speaks into these moments: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). God’s mercy is not dependent on our strength or feelings. We need not hide our struggles or fix our ailments before coming to Him – He already knows our trials.  When Joy, Trust, and Thankfulness Feel out of Reach  Sermons often speak of joy, trust, and thankfulness. These are good gifts, yet under mental struggle they can sound like commands we fail to keep. “Rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16) may feel like rebuke. “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) seems impossible when worry surrounds us. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10) rings hollow when strength is gone. Even encouragement, heard through depression’s fog, can isolate, leaving one to ask: What is wrong with me? Why can’t I feel joy and trust as before? Still, the psalmist assures us: “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart” (Ps. 73:26). Learning about one’s illness and hearing others’ stories can be a lifeline, offering glimmers of understanding and hope.  Do I Have Less Faith?  For one burdened by depression, this question can lead to silent self-judgment: Because I feel this way, I must have less faith – or none at all. One may assume others don’t struggle as deeply. Yet none of us can boast of strong faith. God sees the heart, and even a quiet plea – Lord, help me – is heard. The desire to believe, even when the mind resists, is itself faith. Others often see fruits of faith we cannot. Our minds may complicate the Gospel, demanding certain feelings before trusting forgiveness, but God’s grace is not earned by clarity or strength – it is His free gift. “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20).  Well-meaning believers may try to help without understanding depression as a real illness. They might say, “If you care for your sins, your depression will go away,” or “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Such words, though kindly meant, can make one feel more broken – thinking, If my faith were stronger, I’d feel better. A believer shouldn’t be depressed. This can deepen doubt, shame, and silence. Yet God answers: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).  God’s Love and Grace  Hearing and believing the gospel does not erase mental illness, but it assures us of God’s unchanging love. Even in the heaviest times – often unnoticed by the sufferer – grace is present. We don’t need a perfectly healthy mind to believe; faith is God’s gift. He does not withdraw His grace when life overwhelms. As the psalmist writes, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me” (Ps. 23:4). We can rest in the promise: “Nothing can separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:38,39), when we desire to believe even amid mental health struggles.

Pekka Kainua | The Voice of Zion  October 2025 - Mission Work Field Notes Article -- A confirmation camp was held in Accra, Ghana, August 3–10, 2025. The camp took place at the Greater Hope Royal Foundation International School. A total of 47 confirmation students attended from various parts of Ghana, with the largest group coming from the congregation in Hatsukope. Most of the students were between 13 and 15 years old, though ages ranged from 12 to 37.  Joseph Kuse was the director, and George Dozidenou was the assistant director; both are speakers in Ghana. Carey Simonson from Canada and Pekka Kainua from Finland served as teachers. There were eight counselors, all from Ghana. Lessons and devotions were conducted in English, with much of the content also translated into Ewe. The students slept in classrooms on mattresses. They woke up every day at 5 a.m. to wash and prepare before breakfast. The camp program was largely similar to that in Finland and North America. Topics included God’s plan of salvation, the sacraments, the Bible, the Triune God, prayer, the gospel, and the Kingdom of God.  Sometimes lessons ran longer than planned, but the students were eager to learn more. They took notes diligently and enthusiastically learned new songs. Each day began and ended with a devotion based on God’s Word. “Knowing our Savior Jesus Christ and becoming a child of God is the most precious matter in life,” was a sentiment repeated many times during the camp. The gospel of forgiveness was preached both in devotions and lessons.  There was also free time, during which students played soccer and volleyball, skipped rope and played darts. On the second-to-last evening, we had a campfire in the school yard, where we ate and sang together.  The program had allocated time for three question box discussions. So many questions were received that a fourth discussion session was added. Many of the questions were doctrinal, and many concerned courtship and marriage.  On Tuesday, the third day of camp, 28 confirmation students and 3 small children were baptized. Some parents and local believers also attended the baptism ceremony, which was held in the school yard. Most who were baptized wore traditional festive clothing.  On Saturday, the last full day of the camp, a “class trip” was made to the memorial park and museum of Ghana’s first president. For most of the youth, it was their first visit. Ghanaian flags were at half-mast due to a helicopter accident that took place during the confirmation week in which two government ministers died.  On Sunday, August 10, a confirmation service was held in the Accra church. Two school buses transported the students to the church. Joseph, the director, asked the confirmation students questions about key matters of faith, and the youth responded well. George led a prayer and gave words of encouragement to the parents. Pekka administered communion, and Carey preached about the prophet Elijah on Mount Horeb. God did not reveal Himself to Elijah in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper.  At the end, the song “God be with you till we meet again” was sung. The youth wish to remain in faith, and they asked to be remembered in prayer as they returned to their home villages.   A Big Sister at Ghana’s Confirmation School Shares Her Thoughts  Pekka Kainua interviewed Joyce Nana Kuse  I am Joyce Nana Kuse, a 25-year-old IT student at Bluecrest College. I am Ghanaian and live in Accra. My family consists of my parents, one sister and two brothers.  The activities of the believers in Accra started in 2007. I was 7 years old at the time. At first, the services were held in our home. Later, we rented a classroom from the school as a place of worship. After that, we rented land from the school. The believers built our own church on rented land. That church building was completed in 2009. Last year, the current new church was completed on our own land that we bought.  Our home Zion currently holds services every Sunday morning. We have two ministers in Ghana, my father Joseph Kuse and George Dodzidenu. If both ministers are speaking in other villages, we listen to the WhatsApp services in the church.  I work as a Sunday school teacher in Accra. There is also another Sunday school teacher in the home Zion, Eugenia. Usually, we hold Sunday school every Sunday. I started teaching Sunday school last year. It’s nice to be a teacher because I also learn. I prepare for Sunday school by always making short notes beforehand. I also prepare questions. Being a teacher also teaches me patience. I get to know each child. I like children.  The Ten Commandments are my favorite lesson. It’s important to know God’s will and His commandments. Sometimes I also do other work in the church. I help with the organization of services, for example by selecting songs. Sometimes I serve by making announcements in the church. Sometimes I help by cleaning the church.  Now I was a big sister at confirmation camp, for the second time. The previous time was in 2018. My own confirmation was in 2013. It helped build my faith life. There are few believers in Ghana, but it was important to be in confirmation school with other believers.  As a big sister or counselor, you get to know the students well and have conversations with them. In this role, I can encourage them to believe, read the Bible, and talk about faith. As a counselor, I’ve even learned more from the confirmation lessons than I did as a student. What comes to mind when you think of the following words?  Home Zion:  Home Zion and family make it easier to remain a believer.  The Bible: It’s not just a book. Reading it helps and encourages.  Confirmation school: I was in confirmation school in 2013. It was my first time at camp and away from home. The confirmation school helped me to interact with other people. I also learned a lot about our faith.  Family: I have a believing family where everyone is a believer. It is a great blessing. We always get to ask for forgiveness and to forgive sins at home.  Work for the Kingdom of God:  It has been nice for me and a blessing in many ways.   Letters from Ghana’s Confirmation School Students Dear brothers and sisters in faith, God’s Peace, how are you doing? We are at confirmation camp in Accra, Ghana, 2025, building our faith and learning more about the gospel. We are remembering you in our prayers. We hope that God protects and guides you in this narrow journey home. It is a good thing to confess your sins and have them forgiven through the name and precious blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Preach the gospel to your country, people, and we wish you the best of luck. We hope to see you one day in heaven.  Thank you, God’s Peace, G-Mike, Princess Nayram, Sarah Atigah, Esther Apenya, Gabriel   God’s Peace, dear brothers and sisters in faith.  This is David’s group at 2025 confirmation camp, Ghana. We write to extend our warm greetings to you believers around the world. We have faith that God will put everything in control, and forgive our sins so we can go to heaven and sit at Jesus’ feet, and we hope we can meet all of you in heaven. We all know that the most precious matter in our life is to become a believer and to become a believer we need to believe our sins forgiven and we pray your sins will be forgiven in Jesus’ name. We want you to keep faith and good conscience to preach the gospel of the Lord to others. God bless and protect you. God’s Peace once again, stay blessed.  Thank you. Mary-Queen, Juliet, Douglas, George   Dear brothers and sisters in faith,  God’s Peace! We hope you are fine by the grace of God. It is our prayer that we continue to stay in faith. We hope to meet you someday. It has been such a blessing to be a believer in faith. Make sure you keep faith and have a good conscience. Always keep listening to the gospel and love your neighbors as yourselves.  Thank you. Erica Adidivi, Desmond Adidivi, Alida Asare, Vincent Logosu   God’s Peace dear brothers and sisters.  We are a group of 12-year-old boys and girls at Ghana confirmation camp 2025. We hope you are doing fine by the grace of God. Keep your faith in God and believe the gospel so that it will lead us to heaven. Dear believers, believe all your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood.  Love and God’s Peace, Catherine Adidivi, Mabel Tameklo, Breight, Hope Collius   Dear children of God, God’s Peace. We are sending blessing from Ghana confirmation camp held in Accra. It is good to keep faith and a clean conscience. We are remembering you and your families with much love and prayer. Confess your sins so that you can believe the gospel message and fight the good fight of faith. Perfect Adidivi, Vincent Adidivi, Perpetual Logosu, Prosper Tefeali, Ransford Atigouh   Dear brothers and sisters, God’s Peace. We are glad to write you this letter. We have heard a lot about you too, we would like to meet you all. And believe in God and never lose faith in Him. All your sins are forgiven and be preaching the Gospel to others that are around you. Do not lose faith in God and your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. Amen. God’s Peace from Sarah, Blessing, Rose, Jerry, Samuel

Jim Frantti | The Voice of Zion September 2025 - The Sabbath Word 2 Article --   Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  – Micah 6:6-8  The prophet Micah lived at the same time as Isaiah. The book of Micah was written about seven centuries before the birth of Christ. It was a time in which many of the people had fallen away from God. Micah rebuked the people because of their idolatry, self-righteousness, and treatment of others. Yet, the Word of God was preached – a Word of rebuke but also of repentance and God’s goodness.  Through Micah, God reminded the people that He had delivered them from the bondage of Egypt and redeemed them from servitude. In reminding the people of this, the question was asked, “How can one become God’s own again?” Micah asked, can one offer burnt offerings, year-old calves, thousands of rams, or even rivers of oil? Finally he asked if God would be appeased if one offered his firstborn, his own child, as a sacrifice.  God Is Forgiving  The prophet makes it clear that humans cannot offer anything to appease God. After all, everything that we have comes to us as gifts of God; even our children are God’s creation and gifts. Micah reminds the people that God is forgiving and gracious. “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18,19).  This message of forgiveness is still the message of God’s kingdom today. In His kingdom, Jesus left the keys of the kingdom (John 20:21–23). Martin Luther wrote in his time that in God’s Christian Church “He daily and richly forgives me and all believers all our sins.” God brings a person into His kingdom through the hearing of His Word, a Word of forgiveness. He gives the power to remain believing through the message of the gospel. When a person is thus able to receive faith and to preserve faith through the message of forgiveness in the Name and Blood of Jesus, God’s Word becomes dear. God’s child wants to continue to endeavor in the hearing and believing of God’s Word and to be a doer of it.  Walk Humbly before God  Micah showed that God does not demand anything more from a person. He wrote that God has shown us what He requires: “To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” Faith and God’s forgiving love bring this fruit of love: that a person loves God, His congregation, and all people. Faith brings forth the desire to do justly toward all people and to treat others with the same mercy that God has shown to us.  A child of God endeavors in the hearing and believing of God’s Word, accepting rebuke, instruction, and the teachings of God’s Word with the faith of a child. Thus, it is our desire to travel in faith with a humble heart. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5). A believer acknowledges, as Apostle Paul, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15). We place our trust in God’s gracious care. By the power of the gospel, the child of God will one day reach the destination of heaven.