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< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 4: Sexuality Issues Objective God gave sexuality for man and woman in marriage, to continue human life; The enemy of souls tempts to misuse our sexuality Learning Outcome Explain how my sexuality is a gift from God Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Master, the times are corrupt and enticing. / Grant us Your Word of instruction and blessing. / Ne’er let our hearts to this world be conforming, / That from Your kingdom not one would be drowning. (SHZ 479 v.2) Booklet Text: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.(Luke 21:36) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Genesis 38:10; Lev. 18:22; 2 Sam. 11; Prov. 7; Eccl. 1:9; Luke 5:8, 21:36; 1 Jn. 1:8,10; Rom. 1: 26,27; 3:23, 7:17; 1 Cor. 10:13; Col. 3:5,6; 2 Tim. 2:22; James 1:14,15; CURRICULUM None ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Sexuality is intended for marriage, between a husband and wife It is in marriage only that sexual life is realized with a sense of responsibility. (V to V) Believers need to be very watchful and battle against temptation Masturbation is a sin It is sin to live a gay, lesbian lifestyle Appeal to creation and genetics does not justify homosexual relations If you have personal questions and fears about sexuality, talk to a trusted believer The gospel is the power of God Discuss Dress: How we dress may arouse fleshly desires in others Attitudes towards the opposite sex Avoid physical contact that arouses the flesh Man’s glorification of the body (sex symbol) Casual dating – Sexual contact, casual sex Sins of the flesh – Masturbation, pornography, other RESOURCES LLC Website: LLC Position Statement Homosexual Behavior is Sin Victory to Victory, Sexual Life and Its Irregularities, E. Pelkonen, pages 69-74; He Created Them Male and Female, L. Värynen, Fortifying the Foundation, pages 74-75; Male and Female, At the Crossroads of Choosing, pages 37-42. Previous Next

< Back December 20, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled A Child Questions. To read the poem, click the link. A Child Questions A Child Questions Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 2: God, the Triune God Day 2, Lesson 1: God, the Triune God Objective God is our Creator; God hates sin, but loves the sinful person Learning Outcome Explain how God created everything; Give an example of how God hates sin but loves the sinner Confirmation Exercise Questions #2 What is the most important matter in your life? To be a believer. Living faith. Getting to heaven. Having my sins forgiven. #3 How has God created the visible and the invisible world? By His Word. Reference Material Booklet Song: We know that God is our Creator / Who made the earth and heaven by His Word, / The light, the darkness, land and water / He spoke and it was done; he is the Lord / Unseen or seen, by Him all things consist. / Praise God, who in eternity exists. (SHZ 208 v.1) Booklet Text: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high. (Psalms 113:4,5) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 1-2; Gen. 1:27,28; 2:18,21-24; John 1:1-3; Ps. 19:1-3; Matt. 6:8,25-34; 7:7-11; Heb. 11:3; Ps. 68:5; Col. 1:16; Isa. 43:1-4; Jer. 17:10; Job 14:5; Ps. 8:3-6; Acts 17:26-28; 2 Tim. 2:19; Ezek. 33:11; Exod. 4:22; Job 12:7-9; Job 34:11 CURRICULUM Lessons 2.2, 3.2, 3.3 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS God has created the universe and all that is in it. God has created man from the dust of the earth and gave him an undying spirit. God has created man, both male and female God knows all our needs, both temporal and spiritual, and provides all that is necessary. For those who trust in God the future is always open, for God in His wisdom guides world events and creates new things. God loves His children like a good father loves his own children. Everyone will have to answer for his/her deeds and omissions before God. While God is almighty and holy, He is, nonetheless, near us in His love. None are here by accident, but by the will of God, and that God takes care of him/her. RESOURCES What is God Like?, The Sheepfold Tender, p. 14-15 A Scriptural Concept of God, The Sheepfold Tender, p.78-79 What is God Like? J. Lehtola, 1999 LLC Summer Services The Triune God, R. Waaraniemi, 2011 LLC Summer Services Previous Next

How We Believe The Holy Bible and the Lutheran Confessions are the doctrinal foundation in Conservative Laestadianism. Centermost is the sermon of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. The work of Christ continues in this world as the work of the Holy Spirit in His congregation. In Conservative Laestadianism it is taught that the Holy Spirit performs the work of salvation through the gospel. God sanctifies a sinner within His congregation. The congregation and its members have been entrusted with the word of reconciliation. The proclamation of the gospel is the office of the Holy Spirit. His followers use this authority. While preaching this gospel to all people, they also proclaim the remission of sins, which is the essence of the gospel. Therein the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood is proclaimed to the sinner. Faith comes by hearing and through hearing the word of Christ. In the content of our teaching, the principles of the Reformation are regarded to be the most important. According to these principles, the Holy Bible is the highest authority in questions regarding faith and life and man is made righteous alone by faith, alone by grace, alone by the merits of Christ. Faith is a gift of God. God has given the gift of faith to everyone born into this world. Baptism is the covenant of a good conscience with God. In baptism God strengthens the child's faith and lifts him into the care of the congregation. An individual who has fallen from the grace of baptism can receive the gift of faith anew through repentance. Repentance is a change of heart. According to Luther, it includes penitence and distress on account of sin, but at the same time believing the gospel or the absolution of sin. The essence of the gospel is the forgiveness of sins. Communion is a memorial meal established by Jesus. It is intended for believers for the strengthening of their faith. The kingdom of God is to be found on earth according to the teachings of Jesus. It is a kingdom of grace on earth and a kingdom of glory in heaven. The kingdom of God is one-minded in faith, doctrine, and love. Treasure Hidden in a Field Read excerpts from the book The Treasure Hidden in a Field, by Juhani Uljas by clicking the "Read" button above.

< Back December 22, 2024 Happy Fourth Advent Sunday! Click the link below to see a video featuring song of Zion 33, An Angel Came from God Above. An Angel Came from God Above Still, Still, Still Previous

Our History The Laestadian Lutheran Church takes its name from Martin Luther and Lars Levi Laestadius. The name of the reformer Martin Luther and his teachings are well known around the world. The name of Laestadius is less familiar. Lars Levi Laestadius was a Lutheran pastor who served in northern Sweden from 1825-1861. In 1844, after nineteen years in the ministry, Laestadius was helped into living faith by a woman named Milla Clementsdotter, a member of a group known as “Readers.” Following his conversion, Laestadius's sermons were instilled with a new power, the power of the Holy Spirit. A revival movement began and soon spread far beyond the borders of Swedish Lapland. The movement reached North America with Finnish immigrants in the 1860s. Congregations were first formally organized in Cokato, Minnesota in 1872 and Calumet, Michigan in 1873. Since 1890 a number of schisms have splintered the movement on this continent. The subjects of disagreement have primarily been the understanding of justification, God's congregation, and the sacraments. The last division occurred in 1973 and was the impetus for the establishment of the Laestadian Lutheran Church. The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) was organized on June 9, 1973 under the name “Association of American Laestadian Congregations” (AALC). The association changed its name in 1995 in order to better convey its spiritual heritage and the nature of its organization. Today the Laestadian Lutheran Church has over thirty member congregations in the United States and Canada. The highest concentrations of members are in Minnesota, Washington, Arizona, Michigan, and Saskatchewan. The congregations are served by approximately ninety ministers. The teachings of Laestadianism are based on the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Centermost among these teachings is the sermon of Jesus' suffering, death, and victorious resurrection. The work of Jesus Christ continues in this world as the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ's congregation. Thus the Laestadian Lutheran Church teaches of God's kingdom and preaches repentance and the forgiveness of sins. We hold, in accord with the Lutheran Confessions, that the Bible is the highest guide and authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and life.

< Back December 14, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled There Was No Room. To read the poem, click the link. There Was No Room There Was No Room Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 4: The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of God Day 4, Lesson 3: Conscience, God's Voice In Us Objective The conscience guides us to do what is right, warns of sin, and instructs to repent when we have fallen; The conscience works properly when it is bound to God’s Word and the voice of the congregation Learning Outcome Describe what the conscience is and how it functions Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Listen, precious young believer, / To your heart your Friend is speaking: / “Friend, I know that you are tempted. / It is you that I am seeking.” (SHZ 486 v.1) Booklet Text: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 39:7-12; Dan. 1:8; Ps. 103:8-13; Gen. 3:7,8; 1 Sam. 24:5; 2 Sam. 24:10; Job 15:20-25; 27:5,6; Ps. 32:3,4; 38:1-22; 40:11,12; 51:1-19; Prov. 16:25; Jer. 6:15; Luke 11:33-36; Acts 24:16; Rom. 2:14, 15; 7:15-23; 1 Tim. 1:18,19; 3:9; Heb. 9:14; 10:22; Isa. 1:16,18; 1 Pet. 3:15-17; 1 John 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 4:3-5; Ps. 139:23,24 CURRICULUM Lesson 3.5 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS It is significant that God wishes to forgive and cleanse the conscience. Student will know how to care for his/her conscience. RESOURCES Christian Doctrine 16; Keep Faith and a Good Conscience, J. Bloomquist, Phoenix Winter Services, Feb 1998; VZ: Faith and Good Conscience Discussed, H. Huhdanpää, Feb 1999, page 7; Decision-Making Tied to God’s Word and Good Conscience, J. Stewart, Mar. 2015, page 2 Previous Next

< Back December 5, 2024 Click the link below to listen to a story about Abby, who can’t wait for her Sunday school program. A Christmas Part for Abby Christmas Peace Previous

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