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Change in Plans for 2020 LLC Summer Services, July 2–5 The 2020 LLC Summer Services will not be held in Marquette, Michigan. Due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Summer Services this year will be changed from a large, in-person assembly of service guests to an online format. Although we will miss the fellowship of gathering together, we remember the core purpose for which all services are arranged, the preaching and hearing of God’s Word. Due to this change, the Ishpeming congregation and the Eastern Area will host their long planned-for Summer Services in Marquette, Michigan, one year later, July 1-4, 2021, if God so wills. A decision on changing the arrangements for this year’s Summer Services has been pending since LLC Winter Services in Phoenix were canceled. Those involved with planning these services have anticipated that large gatherings may not be possible in July. Nonetheless, all have hoped that things would somehow be different. In light of so many uncertainties, the LLC Board’s decision to change services is deemed as the right and responsible decision to make at this time. The Annual Meeting of the LLC is held yearly in conjunction with Summer Services. Notice of the plans for holding the LLC Annual Meeting will be sent to LLC congregations in early May. Currently plans are being made for an online meeting format. The agenda for the meetings, along with the 2021 LLC Draft Operating Plan and an Operating Plan video, will also be provided in May. Amidst disappointment, joy comes knowing that there is yet possibility to preach the Word of God. At the core of the sermon is the freeing message of the gospel, the forgiveness of sins. It may be possible this year that listeners will be able to gather with friends and family to hold small-scale Summer Services in the security of their own homes and yards. As we transition to an online format, our plan is to join with the Summer Services Radio (Kesäseuraradio) programming in Finland, in cooperation with our sister organization, SRK. The online programming will be in English and originate from the LLC office. Programming will be accessible on the LLC website and will include continuous broadcasts between scheduled service times. More information will follow as work continues. Refocusing our planning will require much effort. We pray for God’s blessings! Eric Jurmu, LLC Executive Director, ejurmu@llchurch.org Jim Frantti, LLC Board Chairman, jfrantti@llchurch.org

Motherhood is a labor of love and a gift to each of us. It may seem that mother’s work goes unnoticed and is unappreciated. This Mother’s Day – and all days of the year – we can take time to celebrate and remember our mother’s selfless acts of love, show her our appreciation and thank her for all she does. Remember mother in prayer: In all her joy and weeping hold mother in Your keeping. Increase her faith, we pray. Oh, strengthen her and guide her, Your wisdom, Lord, provide her to teach her children every day. O gracious Heav’nly Father, our mother gently gather to Jesus’ heart of love. Through all of our tomorrows we cast on Him our sorrows and yearn for heaven’s home above. (SHZ 423:5,6) Happy Mother’s Day and God’s abundant blessings to you, dear mothers. Updates on LLC Activities Although the LLC office was closed for the month of April, staff were able to work remotely from their homes. Due to COVID-19, Northern Michigan University (NMU) has closed all its buildings through the end of the school year and gone to online classes. As I write this, we are preparing a contingency plan for Summer Services if they need to be canceled. An announcement about services will have been made by the time you receive this issue of the Voice of Zion. Regular updates on Summer Services planning can also be found on the LLC website. Contingency planning will be prepared as well for the LLC Annual Meeting, how a virtual meeting might be organized if this is needed. We will look into meeting apps that can be used for such things as virtual voting. To prepare our congregations and their delegates for the LLC Annual Meeting, a video outlining the main points of the 2021 draft LLC Operating Plan will be sent to congregations by May 15. The meeting notice, agenda and related information will be included. All foreign mission trips are on hold as the COVID-19 situation remains closely monitored. This includes LLC’s summer mission trips to Finland. We will continue to monitor plans for the SRK and SFC mission trips scheduled to North America this summer, with prayerful hopes that they happen as planned. All LLC-sponsored camps are canceled through May. We will continue to monitor the situation with our camp directors and make adjustments as necessary. A contingency plan is being worked on in case LLC confirmation schools in July and August need to be altered. We will make any announcements regarding changes by June 1. The HLC Language Camp scheduled for July has been canceled, due to the significant amount of planning required and the uncertainty of international travel. The Humanitarian Aid Committee (HAC) sent a larger than normal quarterly grant to our foreign mission areas. Many in those countries are experiencing an interruption in daily life that also affects their daily bread. It is good to remember them in prayer. Because of the uncertainties due to COVID-19, we will wait to see how this situation unfolds before posting for LLC office positions being vacated by employee retirements this summer and fall. The current situation has also brought positives and blessings. It seems that God is giving opportunity to consider other ways of doing the work and is preparing us for the future. The short evening devotions that started due to the request of those confined and lonely have been very positively received. Plans are to continue them at least for the near-term. Congregations have requested Sunday school support. Staff will continue to develop digital lessons to assist in this, similar to the first more broadly distributed lesson on Easter Sunday. Jon Bloomquist and Jim Frantti served Ecuadorean believers with online services on Easter weekend. The brothers served from their respective homes and Maria Wuollet translated from her home in Phoenix to listeners in Ecuador. It is one small way we can support those in faraway lands during this time of uncertainty. God has graced us with a time to work. May He continue to guide the efforts in His kingdom. Eric Jurmu ‍

The evening devotions have been warmly received and will continue as an LLC effort. We thank the Phoenix and Menahga congregations for the work they have done. In the next few weeks, we will add additional ministers to this work and also consolidate the broadcasts under a single LLC-based feed. The LLC website listen page will reflect these changes as they happen.

We continue to monitor how the COVID-19 situation may affect our LLC Summer Services and Annual Meeting scheduled for July 2-5 this year in Marquette, Michigan. As the situation remains fluid, we are making contingency plans if physical services are indeed canceled and we move to holding Summer Services online. As previously stated, we will make this decision and announcement by May 1.

We continue to monitor how the COVID-19 pandemic affects LLC activities. With the current situation, including schools in various regions closed to in-person learning for the duration of the school year, we have canceled all our camp activities at LLC facilities through the end of May. The situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis, and announcements of any further camp cancelations will be made going forward.

Preparations are being made to post a Sunday School video Easter morning. You may view this video with your loved ones as part of your Easter celebration at home. Details about when and where this video will be posted will be available before Sunday on LLC social media and website. A notice with these details will also be sent to LLC congregations. Work is also going forward on planning further Sunday School videos that will be published in coming weeks. We will send further information on these items as it becomes available.

While we understand the vital importance of fellowship in the life of our believing young, we feel a need to remind them that it is also their duty to obey the recommendations and regulations set forth by local and national authorities with regards to gathering at this time. Please remind your youth, and others, the importance of doing their part during these unprecedented times. Let us all support one another in this endeavor.

Various Contributors | 2019 December Voice of Zion Angels are God’s messengers. There are many examples in the Bible of angels bringing messages to people, such as God’s promise to Abraham, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds caring for their flock by night. More than two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary, a young believing woman, with an astonishing proclamation. God had selected her for a very special role, unique in all the history of humankind. She, a virgin, would give birth to a son who “shall be called the Son of God,” of whose kingdom “there shall be no end.” Be Not Afraid Humans can be startled and even afraid when an angel appears. That is why the angel first says, “Do not be afraid.” But when the angel departs, the believer is reassured and comforted. Our daughter Katie was the bravest person I’ve ever known. She was diagnosed with cancer at seven years of age. She endured many surgeries, radiation treatments, medication and therapy in her short life. During the day she enjoyed lots of attention from family and friends, but at night she was lonely and fearful. An angel kept her company through the long nights, she reported. To her, congregational singing sounded like “the angels in heaven.” Angels exist not only in Bible stories; they also protect and guide us in our daily life. Martin Luther related that angels are truly around us in this life, providing for and guiding our affairs, if only we would believe it. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Ps. 91:11). We can be assured that God’s angels are protecting us every moment, from that first spark of life in our mother’s womb to, indeed, “all thy ways.” This is so even beyond our last breath, when we finally reach our destination in heaven. Shining and Clad in White The stereotypical mental image I have of an angel is a tall, handsome figure clad in pure white, with a graceful aura of quiet majesty. A typical artist’s rendering would perhaps show the angel with wings, hovering above the ground. Wings or no, angels appearing in this way are mentioned in the Bible. When the women found Jesus’ grave empty on Easter morning, an angel dressed in white with a face shining like lightning was sitting on the stone that had once blocked the door. The angel relayed a message of hope to the women: “He is not here: for He is risen” (Matt. 28:6). At times, however, we may not recognize an angel for what they are. I think the Ethiopian eunuch would agree, puzzling over the book of Isaiah in his chariot by the side of the road. The Holy Spirit led Philip to talk to him, a conversation which led the seeking eunuch to see the way to heaven and believe. After the eunuch’s baptism, “when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). From the eunuch’s perspective, Philip certainly must have been an angel! “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). These angels on earth – our brothers and sisters in living faith – are escorts that help keep us on this narrow pathway to our mutual destination. With words of encouragement, comfort or rebuke, they bring the most comforting of all messages, that of the living gospel of Christ: “Believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood!” Angels of All Ages Human reason might lead us to think that a guiding angel would be an adult, perhaps an elder with advice formed from many decades of life experience. This may be the case, but just as often the angel comes as a little child with a simple comment or reminder. Perhaps it is your own child, or perhaps it is the youngster in the next bench over. Jesus reminds that a child is the most important in His kingdom on earth and has a special link to the Heavenly Father: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10). Our heavenly Father uses his angels in heaven and those angels that live among us to bring messages, support and comfort as we travel through our temporal life. We thank Him for this and all the gifts He bestows! Brent Huhta GOD CARES FOR HIS OWN THROUGH ANGEL ESCORTS The clay road was red and dusty under my feet. The tropical sun’s morning rays were already warming the earth, edging the day toward the hot afternoon ahead. I was not alone. My believing African escort, who had labeled himself my bodyguard, walked alongside me. As we ambled along, we visited. Sometimes we were trailed by laughing children, other times it was just the two of us. I was more than 7,000 miles from home in a country and culture that was strange and new. Yet in the midst of my worries and uncertainty, it was comforting to have my African escort nearby. We uplifted each other. Even though the label of “bodyguard” had been assigned lightheartedly, to me he felt like an angel. In his company, I was secure. Intermediaries between Heaven and Earth The Bible comforts us with the fact that angels do indeed exist both as intermediaries between the realms of heaven and earth, and also as earthly escorts on our journey (cf. Heb. 13:2). Although experiences in our time with angels of the “supernatural” type are exceedingly rare, there are numerous accounts of such throughout the Bible, from the book of Genesis to the Revelation of John. For example, many experiences with heavenly angels during the dawning moments of the New Covenant are described in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts. These confirm to us that God, in certain times and in certain places, has accomplished His work though heavenly angels according to His purposes. As travelers in faith, we often hear and sing about another kind of angel. These angels are our earthly companions who, through faith and mutual endeavor, take steps hand in hand with us on our journey. Have you, dear child of God, met such an angel? When doubts were heavy and sin pressed on you, were there angels nearby? Can we not rejoice that earthly angels were able to relate greetings from heaven? God Sent an Angel Escort Time passes, bringing a ceaseless flow of change to creation. Yet even after a decade, faded thoughts of that walk over reddish-clay earth still come to me. I lay on a hospital bed, hoping and praying for recovery after life-threatening, emergency surgery. My wife has been by my side every moment, day and night, but has finally taken a few hours to go home to see the children. In life, moments of worry, sorrow or despair occur along the way. This is one such moment: I’m alone now, and I’m down, way down. The room is so chilly. I close my eyes and try to doze. A moment later, I hear someone enter the room. I open my eyes, and though my vision is dim, I see a nurse approaching my bedside. The nurse gently and quietly spreads some heated blankets over my legs and feet, the warmth quickly penetrating. It feels good, but I’m still down. I look up at the nurse. His face lights with the joy of serving. In weakness, I beg the nurse to reassure me with the gospel, and vivid memories of the dusty road come flooding back. Through no strength of his own, the same angel who walked with me along those dusty African roads ten years earlier, preaches uplifting words: “All your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood.” Joy and peace return. God cares for His own through angel escorts. Ignace Hounwanou, originally from Togo in west Africa, was granted a student visa in 2004 to study in the United States. He completed his Registered Nurse training and subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington. Ignace currently works at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. He and his wife Katie, née Niemela, live in Snohomish, Wash., with their four children. John Stewart DISCUSSION POINTS: 1.Psalm 103:20 says: “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Whom do you suppose the angels are, in the writer’s eyes, and why? 2.The writer to the Hebrews speaks much of angels. Read the first two chapters. How does the writer compare Jesus with angels? 3.What other examples of angels are there in the Bible? 4.Have you ever experienced help or a message from an angel in your life?

Ross and Kayla Fredrickson | 2019 October-November Shepherd's Voice God gave Moses the task to go talk to Pharaoh about freeing the people of Israel and then after that to lead them back to the land of Canaan. Moses first said no. He said he was a poor speaker. But God promised to be with him and give him words to speak. Moses obeyed. Do you remember what the shepherd boy David said to Saul when he asked him to fight Goliath? Did he puff his chest and brag that he had killed a bear and a lion while caring for his father’s sheep? No, instead he said that God would deliver him from the hand of the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Of ourselves, we know that we are nothing. But God works in us and through us. God gave words and gifts for Moses to lead the people of Israel. He also helped David defeat Goliath. If someone at school asks how you believe, God will give words for you to speak. He gives as He sees fit. The devil may try to tempt us and make us think we’re better than other people. The only difference between us and the people around us is that we have the gift of faith. This doesn’t make us any better, but we’re the most fortunate to have this gift. We want to share this gift with our friends and neighbors. They too can believe their sins forgiven when the gospel is preached. Maybe you are good at riding bike or maybe you’ve done well in your classes at school. However, it is good to remember to be humble in such things. Being humble means accepting that all good things and good gifts are a blessing from God. We use these gifts not to emphasize how good we are, but rather to serve others and show honor to God. We accept that we are weak and faulty, and we need help and prayers and support from others. We need the gospel to help us in our life of faith. The opposite of being humble is being overly proud. We can take pride in accomplishments and at the same time humbly thank our Heavenly Father for all blessings. God’s Word teaches, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). We pray that God will help us to be humble and remain in faith. Let’s remember each other in our prayers. Ross and Kayla Fredrickson THINGS TO VISIT ABOUT: 1.Read about the shepherd boy David in LLC’s Illustrated Home Bible, page 128. How was David able to fight Goliath? 2.Why is it important to be humble and not proud? Why should we pray for this? 3.It is easier to be humble when our sins are forgiven. Why is this?

Mark Pikkarainen | 2017 August Voice of Zion Free from Sin Do you remember how good it felt as a child, when the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood was preached by mom or dad for something that you had done that was wrong? Was it not a good feeling to know that you were free of that heavy burden of sin that weighed on your conscience? There was no question that the sin was washed away in Jesus’ name and blood. The burden and sin was gone, forgiven and forgotten! Throughout life, sin can accumulate and weigh us down on our journey of faith. We are bombarded every day with news from around the world of horrible atrocities, rumors of war, and the temptations of the world in all manner and form. We are exposed daily to temptations at school, work, and even with friends, as the devil works tirelessly to lure us away from living faith that offers so much comfort and security. It might feel unsettling if we hear our parents or others talking about troubling matters at church and with believers. It may at times feel hopeless, and we may begin to worry: Will I be able to remain believing in the safety and care of God’s kingdom? Will I make it to heaven? Do Not Fear Dear child of God, fear not! Jesus has died for our sins and has promised to provide a place in heaven for us if we keep faith and a clean conscience. It is that simple! “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). We don’t have to worry about what is happening in the world, at work, at school, with friends or family, or in other issues or troubling matters. We can turn our burdens to Him and be free. When sins are forgiven, we can believe as a child. Unchanging Doctrine The devil is always busy raising questions about the teachings of God’s Word, even the core doctrine that we have known since children, the forgiveness of sins. There is no better nor secure place to be than in the middle of the flock of believers, rather than out on the edge where the devil moves around seeking whom he can devour. What can be easier and more secure than to simply believe as a child, putting sin away? What a comforting feeling it is, knowing that if we were to die, we would be in heaven forever! Is there anything that you can think of that you would be willing to exchange for eternal life in heaven? Is this not the assurance that we believers all live and strife for? Is this assurance available through unbelieving friends at school, at work, or through anyone else in this sin-corrupt world? Do we with our own reason need to understand all of the mysteries of faith in order to make it to heaven? No, we do not. All that is required is that we simply believe, keeping faith and a clean conscience, nothing else. Escorts Preach Forgiveness Remember dear young, and also older child of God, when the worries and weight of sin beset you, put that sin, doubt, fear, and worry away through the simple gospel message, believing sins and doubts forgiven in the name and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have beautiful escorts in God’s kingdom who willingly preach the forgiveness of sins through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Freely offer this gospel, also to those who do not own this gift of faith. What better and more secure feeling is there than knowing that your sins are forgiven and that you are a child of God? This gospel message is preached openly and freely. In God’s kingdom, we do not travel alone but are united within a flock of believers who are together striving to make it to heaven one day. Jesus teaches in His Sermon on the Mount that we don’t have to worry about tomorrow because our Heavenly Father takes care of us (Matt. 6:25–32). If we keep faith and a clean conscience, our good and gracious God will care for us on the way to heaven. Mark Pikkarainen Discussion Points: 1. What can happen if one ignores the grace-gift of confession? 2. How can we encourage one struggling in faith, who may question the truth of God’s Word? 3. What does God’s Word say about our role as a confessor mother or father, a friend? 4. Share joys you’ve experienced, when God has given strength to care for your conscience and put sin away. 5. Sing song of Zion #306 and discuss its meaning in your life.