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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.

Reader Resources Reading for Hearken Click the image above for slides from Reader's Workshop held at LLC Office in Monticello on January 10, 2023. Reader tips and suggestions Reading questions, columns and ads

LLC Gift Card All Products Hearken App Books Bibles Music Albums Music Books Songbird Videos Gift Card Finnish Products Periodicals LLC gift card $25 Amount $25 $35 $50 $100 $150 $200 Other amount Quantity Buy Now

Confirmation Lessons Day 1, Lesson 1: The Most Precious Matter in Our Lives Day 2, Lesson 1: God, the Triune God Day 2, Lesson 2: Faith, a Gift from God Day 2, Lesson 3: The Bible, God's Written Word Day 2, Lesson 4: The Sabbath Day, Keep It Holy Day 3, Lesson 1: Jesus, the Word Made Flesh Day 3, Lesson 2: Jesus, Our Savior Day 3, Lesson 3: Temptation and Sin Day 3, Lesson 4: The Gospel, the Message of Victory Day 3, Lesson 5: Courtship & Marriage, He Made Them Male and Female Day 4, Lesson 1: The Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier Day 4, Lesson 2: God's Kingdom, Our Mother Load More

LLC 50-year History Exhibit (1973–2023) LLC History 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s LLC Music History More

Volunteer First Name Last Name Email Phone Check all that apply: * Required Writer Reader Artist Photographer Graphic designer for small projects Audio Editor Videographer Video Maker Music Notator Music Reviewer Editor of Writing Translator Transcriber Other (contact rdelacey@llchurch.org) Thank you for submitting! Send

2026 LLC Summer Services Monticello, Minnesota July 2–5 Hosted by the Menahga and Brainerd congregations at Silver Springs. Listen Service Brochure Purchase Meal Tickets Watch Broadcast Schedule Work Shift Sign Up Donate Service Site Map Camping Sign Up Welcome to 2026 LLC Summer Services! Summer Services will be held at Silver Springs in Monticello, Minnesota, July 2–5, 2026. Menahga and Brainerd serve as host congregations this year. Our motto for the services is “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” (1 John 1:3). Services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and conclude at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. We welcome willing helpers from all North American congregations to sign up for work shifts. SignUpGenius will be our primary forum for organizing help; additional information will be shared soon. We ask for your prayers that God would bless the planning and preparation for these festive services. On behalf of the Summer Services Planning Committee, I extend a warm welcome to everyone! LLC Board of Directors Meeting Services Opening Ceremony Youth Song Services Youth Service LLC Annual Meeting Services Children's Service / Services Song Services Services Congregation Evening (Presentation) Youth Service Services Children's Service / Services Song Services Communion Service Services Youth Evening (Presentation) Sunday School Services Closing Service Service Schedule Thursday, July 2 9:00 3:00 6:00 9:30 10:00 Friday, July 3 9:00 10:30 2:00 4:00 4:30 7:00 10:00 Saturday, July 4 9:00 10:30 1:30 2:00 6:00 8:30 Sunday, July 5 9:30 10:30 2:00 Food Service Food service will be similar to prior years at Silver Springs. Lunch and supper menus will include a variety of grill options, pizza, and salads. There will not be a continental breakfast available, as was mistakenly advertised in the February Voice of Zion. Coffee and concessions will be available throughout the weekend. A detailed menu and ticket purchase information will be published at a later date and made available online at www.llchurch.org . Lodging Information Onsite RV Parking and Tenting The RV camping area has a total of 270 sites. Members with long-term reservations will be given preference to early site selection. Forty one-time RV reservations ($250 each) will be available for selection and purchase on March 2 at 12:00 CST. Tent camping is available south of the main service area on the property of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello. As in previous years, non-electric RV sites ($100 each) will be available for reservation beginning in March 2026. Hotels There are many hotels within a 15-mile radius of the service site. Options include: Super 8 by Wyndham – Monticello Best Western Plus Chelsea Hotel – Monticello AmericInn / AmericInn by Wyndham – Monticello Riverwood Inn or Becker Inn & Suites – Becker Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Buffalo / Elk River Hampton Inn & Suites – Rogers Camping (Off-Site) Early registration is highly recommended. Nearby camping options include: Oaks on the River – Big Lake Bertram Chain of Lakes Campground – Wright County Minneapolis Northwest KOA Journey – Maple Grove Clearwater RV Park – Clearwater BACK TO TOP

Our Organization The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) is a nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for religious purposes and is qualified as an exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The LLC is the central organization of 32 member Laestadian Lutheran congregations in North America. The operations of the LLC are structured around four main areas of work in serving its membership and promoting its mission (see “Our Mission”). If you have any questions, please Contact Us. The areas of work are defined as follows: Pastoral Work Sacred Acts, pastor support, spiritual counseling, resource to member congregations. Mission Work Domestic and foreign mission trip coordination, supportive resources and media resource development. Christian Education Different programs that teach, instruct and guide both the youth and elderly of our congregation. These include Sunday school, Bible study, confirmation, youth camp programs; educational resources; camp facilities; Opisto scholarship program. Sunday School Teachers Resources A collection of resources designed to assist in instructing Sunday school lessons. Opisto Scholarship Program The LLC has joined with it's sister organization, the SRK, to provide 14 annual scholarships for students to attend one of three schools in Finland. Publications The LLC publishes a variety of publications to support the work of the LLC in furtherance of its Mission Statement, nurturing lives of faith and preaching the message of salvation through the redemption work of Jesus Christ. Publications include periodicals, books and music and audio products. Publications are developed under the auspices of the Publications Department and the Publications Committee. Many products are translations in mutual work with the SRK in Finland. PERIODICALS The Voice of Zion, a monthly paper with devotional and event articles. The Shepherds Voice, a children's magazine published seven times per year. Christmas in Zion, an annual Christmas magazine. Easter Messenger, an annual Easter magazine. BOOKS Books include devotional, historical and novel writings for all ages. MUSIC AND AUDIO Congregational singing, children's singing, and choir recordings based on music from the church's hymnal, Songs & Hymns of Zion, both teach as well as provide enjoyable listening. MOBILE HYMNAL The LLC-published Songs and Hymns of Zion contains all the songs in the current Songs and Hymns of Zion. PURCHASE/RENEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Contact Ruth DeLacey at rdelacey@llchurch.org with any questions about your subscriptions or if you wish to receive our periodicals. VOICE OF ZION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADS To place birth, engagement or wedding announcements in The Voice of Zion, please fill out the forms below. Birth Engagement Wedding Death To place ads or other announcements in The Voice of Zion, please fill out the form below. Place an Ad Please note, only ads for non-profit organizations can be placed in this publication. C ontact Annette Johnson at ajohnson@llchurch.org with questions. CHANGE OF ADDRESS If you have a change of address, telephone number, email address, or other contact information for LLC subscriptions, communications, or the LLC Telephone and Address Directory, please complete the following form. Change of Address SRK PUBLICATIONS The LLC carries a variety of publications, both written and audio, produced by the SRK in Finland. These publications are not available online but may be purchased through congregation bookstores or the LLC office directly. Contact the LLC office to check availability or to place special orders. General Operations support the noted areas of work in finance, technology, and administration. Board of Trustees The LLC Board of Trustees consists of 15 members representing member congregations allocated to three regions of the North American continent – Eastern, Midwestern, and Western. Trustees serve for three-year terms and are elected annually at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Trustees meets regularly five times throughout the year. Board Committees A Board Committee structure closely involves trustees in the work of the LLC and provides direction and support to staff. Each committee is comprised of at least three trustees, along with staff/directors associated with the committee’s areas of responsibility. Board Committees currently are as follows: Personnel, Finance, Christian Education, Mission Work, Pastoral Work, Publications. LLC Staff The LLC employs both full- and part-time personnel in areas of pastoral support, mission work, Christian education, publications, and administration. Staff works closely with the Board of Trustees and coordinates and relies upon the service of numerous volunteers in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. Other Boards and Committees The LLC Board of Trustees appoints boards of directors to oversee operations of each of the LLC camp facilities: Hasscib Lake Camp, Champion, Michigan Kamp Kipa, Prescott, Arizona Stony Lake Camp, Park Rapids, Minnesota Other Committees include: Mission Committees for each of three North American regions Scholarship Selection Committee to support the Opisto Scholarship Program Music Committee, a subcommittee of the Publications Committee Humanitarian Aid Committee If you have any questions, please Contact Us

< Back Confirmation Day 1: Welcome! Day 1, Lesson 1: The Most Precious Matter in Our Lives Objective To know God and our Savior Jesus Christ is the most precious matter in our life. Learning Outcome Describe the purpose for my Confirmation school Confirmation Exercise Questions Explain that the exercise questions will be asked on Confirmation day Direct students to the questions and answers in the back of the Student’s Booklet Reference Material Booklet Song: This precious lot was given me / When I began this journey / And made a sacred promise here: / Lord, Thine I would be only. / Thy footsteps I will follow, Lord, / Confess Thy name here in this world / From Thy blest kingdom, Jesus. (SHZ 298 v.1) Booklet Text: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 4:4; 6:21, 33; 13:44-46; Hos. 6:6; Heb. 11:1,6; James 2:19; John 10:9; 14:6; Rom. 5:1,2; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 2:12,13; Col. 1:20-22; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pet. 3:18 CURRICULUM Lessons are based on the Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Instruction on the practices in living Christianity Guidance on living a Godly life, including life in the congregation ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Confirmation school helps a youth to believe in God Confirmation is a continuation of the baptismal teachings On Confirmation day students will confess the faith in God and partake of Holy Communion Christian teaching is based on God’s Word The Holy Spirit is needed to open God’s Word The Holy Spirit is found in the congregation Student will understand that only in Jesus Christ can man truly know God. Resources Remember Thy Creator in the Days of Thy Youth, S. Roiko, LLC Website, Summer Services, 2010 Remember Thy Creator in the Days of Thy Youth, M. Taskila, At the Crossroads of Choosing, p. 172; The Choices of Youth, The Sheepfold Tender, pages 120-121 Previous Next

Music upload Do Not Webcast Song List When choosing songs, song leaders and organists should make sure they are not choosing songs that are in Do Not Webcast list for times when the broadcast is live. Often times the pre-service song and the closing songs are not webcast, so the placement of the song may allow you to sing the listed songs. Coordinate with your service director and webcaster as needed Do Not Webcast List Copyright Information Copyright Information (PDF) Upload music When choosing songs, song leaders and organists should Other Resources 2021 Church Calendar Texts and Songs Songs to Sing at Communion LLC Hymnal Copyright Information SHZ Introductions Cross Reference Song Leader & Organist Guide Hymnal VK & SL 2016 Cross Reference Wedding Guide Wedding Music Ideas for Processionals and Recessionals 2022 International Music Camp Upload Song Leading Workshop September 2021 This video shows part of an actual lesson kept this fall for Elk River congregation song leaders. In this 15-minute excerpt, workshop leader Ben Huhta talks about e.g. pronunciation, breathing, preparing for higher notes and singing through long notes. Have your songbook handy when you follow along. Song Leaders & Organist Workshop - June 30, 2020 Introduction to Organ Hymn Introductions Hymn Playing Music in Congregation Life Song Sheets Christmas Peace (SL 15) When in the Moon of Wintertide