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Allen Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2025 - Bilingual Article -- When we look back on our life, we see that it is and has always been good to trust in God’s plan. When we look forward, it requires the obedience of faith to trust that God will guide us. This is not unique to our time, rather this has always been the case. A priest toward the end of the second temple period named Zechariah waited together with his wife Elizabeth for a child. They were getting older and still no child came. One day Zechariah was visited by an angel as he tended to the Altar of Incense in the Temple. He was told that his prayers have been answered and now God was going to give them a son. He would be called John and live as a Nazarite. The angel Gabriel also said that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth and would call many people back to the obedience of living faith.  Zechariah doubted the possibilities of what he was told and as a result he was struck dumb until the naming of his son John. Zechariah was unable to speak for more than nine months. During this time it seems like his hope in God’s plan for His people grew. He trusted that now the time had come for a savior to be born and that his own son John would serve God as a prophet. When he could finally speak, he praised God and prophesied that his son John would show God’s people that the way to personal salvation was through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. That time came to pass at God’s correctly appointed time. Now in our time we await the already appointed time of the second coming of Christ. How should we wait? God’s Word tells us that as we approach the end of time, the times will become more perilous. We observe how true this is. It seems that even when we have hope that good things are happening in the world, we soon realize that even that time is more terrible than before. We silently lift our heads and patiently wait for the fulfillment of God’s final promise. He most certainly will send His son to bring us safely home.   Z es para Zacarías Allen Pirness Cuando miramos hacia el pasado de nuestra vida, podemos ver que es y siempre ha sido bueno confiar en el plan de Dios. Cuando miramos hacia el futuro, requiere la obediencia de la fe de confiar en que Dios nos guiará. Esto no es único de nuestro tiempo, sino que siempre ha sido así el caso. Un sacerdote, hacia el final del segundo periodo del templo, llamado Zacarías, esperaba junto con su esposa Elizabeth por un hijo. Ellos estaban envejeciendo y aun así, no tenían ningún niño. Un día, Zacarías fue visitado por un ángel mientras cuidaba el altar de incienso en el Templo. Le fue dicho que sus oraciones habían sido escuchadas y que ahora Dios les iba a dar un hijo. El sería llamado Juan y viviría como un Nazareno. El ángel Gabriel también le dijo que el estará lleno del Espíritu Santo incluso antes de su nacimiento y que llamaría a mucha gente de regreso a la obediencia de la fe viviente. Zacarías dudo de las posibilidades de lo que le fue dicho y como resultado, quedó mudo hasta en nombramiento de su hijo Juan. Zacarías no pudo hablar por más de nueve meses. Parece que su esperanza en el plan de Dios por Su gente creció durante este tiempo. El confió que ahora había llegado el tiempo de que un salvador era de nacer y que su propio hijo Juan serviría Dios como un profeta. Cuando el finalmente pudo hablar, el alabó a Dios y profetizó que su hijo Juan mostraría a la gente de Dios que el camino hacia la salvación personal era a través del perdón de los pecados en el nombre y la sangre de Jesús. Esto vino a suceder en el tiempo que Dios correctamente señaló. Ahora, en nuestro tiempo, nosotros esperamos por el tiempo ya señalado de la segunda venida de Cristo. ¿Cómo debemos esperar? La palabra de Dios nos dice que mientras nos acercamos hacia el final de los tiempos, estos se volverán más peligrosos. Podemos observar cuan verdadero esto es. Parece que aunque tenemos la esperanza de que cosas buenas están sucediendo en el mundo, pronto nos damos cuenta que este tiempo es aún peor que antes. Silenciosamente levantamos nuestras cabezas y pacientemente esperamos por el cumplimiento de la promesa final de Dios. El ciertamente enviará a Su hijo para llevarnos salvos a nuestro hogar.   Translation: Maria Wuollet

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2025 - News & Notes Article -- The month of May presents a season of change. In the north, nature exhibits her full splendor after waking from winter rest. In some areas, school ends, and many graduation ceremonies are held. Dear graduate, we wish you God’s abundant blessings as you prepare for life as an adult. May you protect and preserve the most important matter in life – the gift of faith that holds the hope of heaven. May also marks Mother’s Day. Dear mothers, may God richly bless you for the care that you provide for your family. Updates on LLC Activities   The notice and agenda for the 2025 LLC Annual Meeting, to be held in Outlook, Saskatchewan, has been sent to all LLC member congregations. Included in the packet is the 2026 LLC Operating Plan, titled, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as unto God.”  The Operating Plan is presented as a PDF file and a video. We encourage congregations to make this document available to all members as they meet to prepare delegates for the annual meeting. Facilities Facility planning is always ongoing. The Silver Springs camp board has requested a building committee to assist with constructing a permanent pavilion at Silver Springs. The purpose of the pavilion is to provide a place for service events and additional day uses, such as workshops and seminars. The planning for this structure is in an early stage. Education The Mission Work Steering Group has developed a plan for nine teams to support mission work throughout the world. One of the teams is the Learning Materials and Education Team. This team is made up of eight people from the LLC. Currently, the team’s focus is organizing the work, identifying stakeholders and establishing a structure. Additional information will be forthcoming as this team begins its work.  The 2025 Camp Season began early April. The first camp at Stony Lake was held April 4–6, with just over 100 ministers in attendance. Camps are an important part of many believers’ lives. We often hear how beneficial days spent at camp have been on a personal level.  Mission  The spring season is a busy time for mission trips with many brothers traveling from Scandinavia and North America to Ecuador and Africa. Upcoming trips are noted on page 18. Please remember in your prayers the brothers and their families at home as they serve. The believers look forward to these opportunities to gather and hear God’s Word with visiting ministers. As summer approaches, we are beginning to plan for confirmation schools in global mission work. If God allows, we will have a confirmation school in Ghana in August and possibly a similar camp for adults in Kenya. The Mission Work Steering Group has had initial meetings with each of the nine teams that support the global mission work efforts. The teams are beginning to consider the work in their respective area. Each team involves many volunteers that support this expanding work. Pastoral The 2025 Ministers Camp was held at Stony Lake Camp in early April. There were just over one hundred ministers that attended in person and around fifteen were able to join online. We experienced the blessing of one spirit. The topics for discussion were around Doctrine, God the Giver of Life, Music in the Congregation and Discernment.   With warm memories of Winter Services in our minds, we continue the planning of the Summer Services in Outlook, Sask. Many ministers throughout North America as well as from our sister organizations in Finland and Sweden will be called to serve at these services.  The third Bible Translation Communication has been shared with the congregations. It has been important for us to discuss this topic openly in our congregations. Through these discussions, the delegates are able to receive guidance prior to the 2025 Annual Meeting where they will have an opportunity to discuss the Bible translation topic with other congregation delegates. Communications We will hold our annual Content Creators Workshop September 12–14 at Stony Lake Camp in Minnesota. A content creator is one who contributes written material, art, digital media or music content, or one who contributes their skills and time in support of publications and broadcast work. A content creator is anyone who contributes to any of our projects in any way. We extend a warm thank-you to all who write, take photographs, create art, edit digital media such as audio or video, and otherwise contribute to anything we produce. We invite you to the workshop to meet other contributors—content creators—and to hear interesting discussions on how this work can support believers in their walk of faith. Editing is complete on a fiction work called Time for Words  by Heli Jurmu. Next will come the layout process and then after a final check it will be off to the printers. We look forward to publishing this first work of fiction by a North American author. At a recent Print Publications committee meeting, there was discussion on our children’s magazine, The Shepherd’s Voice.  Subscription numbers have remained at the same level for quite a few years. Do you subscribe to Shepherd’s Voice?  Or is there a family with young children you know who might enjoy this publication? You can use the print magazine and the audio available on Hearken  together so that young readers can listen and follow along! See the New on Hearken!  feature on page 18 to find out what new things will be posted on Hearken  in coming weeks. LLC’s Opisto Scholarship Fund supports those who have received scholarships to spend a year at one of three opistos in Finland. Consider making a donation to support opisto students! Or consider asking opisto alumni in your congregation to host a fundraiser for the fund. Over the past four decades, hundreds of North American youth have received a scholarship and spent a year studying abroad.

Ken Byman | The Voice of Zion May 2025 - Round the Table Article -- Contentment can be difficult to find, and it seems we spend our lives trying to find this state of happiness or satisfaction with our lot in life. We tend to focus on our temporal contentment first, hoping for a raise, a new car, a new house or the next vacation. Through hard work and persistence, we may reach these goals and that can bring some form of brief contentment. Yet we quickly look forward to the next goal as soon as that contentment fades. Contentment with our temporal belongings, however, is insignificant when compared to the contentment we seek in our spiritual lives. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11–13, NIV). Here Paul illustrates how contentment can be found regardless of one’s life situation. It is contentment like this that we continue to seek in our lives. Finding this contentment that Paul writes about is often a struggle because our human portion frequently wants to fight against God’s will. We tend to focus on our temporal lot, hoping to make a more comfortable or desirable life. Yet God has ways to steer us back towards Him, and He is patient in His waiting as we slowly begin to accept His will. When we pray for God’s guiding hand in our lives, God hears our prayers, though He might not answer them in the way we ask. Instead, He answers them with what we truly need. Sometimes God determines that we need a trial in our life, and we may struggle to accept this. One question we often ask ourselves is “How can I accept this trial?” In the case of smaller trials, it may be possible to work through the trial with little help. However, when God gives larger trials, we fail to find the personal strength to carry our burden. This is when we turn our face to our heavenly Father in prayer. He has surrounded us with many travel escorts to lighten our burden. Through the care, love, and support of these escorts, we begin to feel the acceptance of God’s will. Through acceptance, the struggle eases and we can then begin to experience contentment, which comes in bits and pieces and can be fleeting. Because we are humans and quickly forget God’s lessons, we will continue to seek contentment until our earthly journey is ended. Though this journey is often overwhelming, it is also important to reflect on the blessings God has given us. There is contentment in knowing that He has guided us unto this day. We can also be thankful knowing that God will not forsake us, and He has given us travel escorts to help us on our journey. As Paul wrote, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Let us remember to pray for strength to find contentment and to thank God for the blessings He has given us. Contentment is for today; we cannot save some for tomorrow. Like the children of Israel traveling on the wilderness journey when the manna was only given for one day, we strive to put our trust in God and ask for His guiding hand. It is a blessing to live with acceptance of what our future holds. May we always sing as the little songbird, praising God for the blessings of today and thanking Him that we can be free from the worries of tomorrow.

The Voice of Zion May 2025 - Home & Family Article -- In every season of life, believers encounter pressures to conform to the ways of the world – whether in school, the workplace, or even casual conversation. These pressures may be subtle or overt: temptations to fit in, expectations to achieve certain lifestyles, or invitations to compromise one’s values. Yet, in each of these situations, we are reminded of the strength and joy that come from obedience to God’s Word. Scripture offers enduring examples, like Joseph in Egypt, who chose obedience in the face of trial and was blessed. In these writings, believers reflect on the challenges they face and the blessings they experienced in their walk in faith, trusting that God sees and richly rewards the obedient heart. Karlo and Peggy Hillukka Pressure is the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something. A person feels pressures of the world. We strive to be obedient to the teaching of God’s Word. We often are reminded that we are “in the world, but not of the world.” Some pressures come from trying to fit in, to be accepted by others. This could lead us to conform to lifestyles such as wearing makeup, drinking alcohol, foul language and worldly music. In the first letter of John, we are reminded, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (2:15). In our daily life, we interact with neighbors and coworkers and they notice differences. Some have many questions. Comments may arise about faith and about the way believers live. Some struggle to comprehend large families, for example. They do not understand the blessings of many children. We understand that we may face such trials. God helps us in these times. Jesus promises rest to all who are heavy laden (Matt. 11:28). In our small community, there is pressure felt at school as we make up a big part of the school population. Believing students may feel pressure to join sports and other unacceptable activities. Each day, the light of believing students shines when they are obedient to God’s teachings. The light shows through their interactions with others: the way they speak, their attitudes and the way they treat others. Cellphones and technology are valuable tools. They can also be used in ways that are harmful to our faith. There are endless temptations at our fingertips. Spending too much time on devices can draw us away from what is most important in our lives. It is good to set aside these distractions while we are with family and believing escorts and at services. The blessings of being obedient to God’s Word are abundant. The songwriter writes, “There are treasures for children in heaven above who love Jesus and walk in His way.” How joyous it is to travel with a free conscience in the midst of God’s children! Our goal is heaven.   Let Your Light So Shine Danielle Mattila Sometimes at work, I have felt pressure to act a certain way to conform with others’ ways. I feel like I am different from everyone else there, and it can be hard to make connections and friendships. Topics of conversation can add to feeling different, as can the way I look compared to how some workmates present themselves. For example, I might stand out since I don’t wear makeup. It can also be hard to explain why I don’t want to participate in certain activities that they have invited me to. If there is alcohol at an event, I try to explain that because I don’t drink, I feel uncomfortable. They, of course, tell me that it’s no problem if I don’t drink—there are others who won’t be drinking. Under these pressures, I want to speak my feelings to my workmates and to show them love. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” This Bible portion reminds me that I don’t need to be just like everyone else. God will help me make friendships.  When we are obedient to God’s Word, we are able to let our light shine in words and actions. This light can help those around us to be led into God’s kingdom.   Ruthann Hillukka Pressures of the world come daily. My experience with this often comes in the form of material wealth or education or prestige. I feel this from those whom I work with. I think it is often expected that a person has a certain college degree, drives a certain vehicle or lives a certain way. These expectations may come out in something said during lunch or just in passing – it may not have been directed at me, yet my human brain perceives the statement to be a judgement of me. I can choose to hear these messages in a spirit of love. My workmates are my neighbors, and I pray to show them love. Although I do not have what they may or may not have, God has blessed me with many riches: I have believing escorts and all that I need in life. Song of Zion 351 comes to mind when I think of peer pressure, real or perceived: “Thank you, Lord, for all Your blessings; thanks for joy and thanks for tears; You are always walking with us; You know all our hopes and fears” (v. 1).   Joseph’s Example of Obedience Ron Honga Have you dear brother or sister, younger or older, who attempt to carry a good conscience in the midst of this world ever felt that our heavenly Father has forgotten you? It must have been this way also for Joseph as he was brought to Egypt after his brothers had sold him into slavery. He was a believing young man and now found himself before an unknown future. Joseph was a prosperous man and the Lord was with him. He became overseer of the house of Potiphar. When Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph into sin with her, he was given strength to avoid this. He said, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).  In all his trials Joseph showed obedience unto God’s Word and was blessed, becoming second only to the Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. “And the Pharaoh said unto his servants, can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, forasmuch as God has shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (Gen. 41:38–40). Later, Joseph carried his brothers with great forgiveness when they were afraid of him after he revealed himself to them. “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 45:8). Joseph’s example is a beautiful reminder to us of the way God blesses obedience and forgiveness. May we continue to walk this way on our journey toward heaven’s home.   Discussion questions  What are some examples of pressure we might feel to fit in at school, work, or in our communities? How do these affect our faith and the choices we make? What does obedience to God’s Word look like in daily life, and why is it sometimes hard? How can we respond when someone questions or doesn’t understand our choices as believers? What blessings can come from choosing God’s way, even when it means standing out or being misunderstood? What does it mean to let your light shine in everyday life? Can small actions make a difference? What helps you stay focused on what’s important when the world offers many distractions? Joseph is an example of one who was obedient. God blessed him richly. What other examples of obedience does the Bible tell us about?

Brianna Byman   |  The Shepherd’s Voice  April/May 2025 - Home and Family Article –   Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is a collection of lessons that teach us about love, compassion, humility and integrity. The verse “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9) emphasizes the importance of actively seeking peace and reconciliation among people. Jesus gave His life to make peace between God and sinners, and when we can bring that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers. God delights in us when we carry on the work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are “blessed.” There is no real peace apart from a relationship with God, as is shared in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Children of God can bring the peace of knowing God to others. A person must have a real relationship with God before he or she can help someone else know God. We can do this by sharing our faith in God with our friends and by serving others as well as treating everyone with grace. Those who bring the wonderful message of God’s peace to the world are “peacemakers,” and Jesus calls them the “children of God.” Being a peacemaker is a call to action, inviting believers to embody the peace of Christ in every aspect of their lives. Peacemaking involves listening, understanding, and addressing the root causes of conflict. When we do this, we can live peacefully and rejoice in it!   Things to visit about: 1.     What is a peacemaker? What is true peace? 2.     Why do we want to be peacemakers? 3.     When there is a fight or conflict, how do we listen? 4.     How can we show that we understand someone’s feelings? 5.     How can a child of God share true peace with others?

Elida Holmstrom | The Voice of Zion April 2025 - Home & Family Article -- In this article, members of small families from Saskatchewan congregations share their experiences—how family size shaped their upbringing, their sense of belonging in the congregation, and the blessings and challenges they encountered. Each family, regardless of size, comes to be as God wills. Good and gracious Lord, thank You for our home, for our family, and our loved ones, for the life which Thou hast given, all those dear to me, precious gifts from Thee. – SHZ 431:1 A family is a precious gift. Many believers in God’s kingdom grow up in and later raise large families. Many assume they will have a large family. However, what if God has other plans? What if you have no children or one child? Many questions may arise as we ponder small and large families. Tell about your family, childhood or current. Caroline Ylioja:  There are four in our family. We farmed and were part of the Dunblane congregation for many years. Our parents retired a few years ago and moved to Outlook. Although John and I have lived elsewhere since finishing high school, the flexibility of remote work has allowed us both to recently move to the Outlook area. We are lucky to be close enough to spend time together as a family. Twila Simonson:  Both Henry and I grew up in large families. We assumed when we first were married that we would be blessed with many children. After seven years of marriage God blessed us with one daughter. We felt great joy when she was born! We will celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary, and twenty-three years of having our precious Samantha in our lives. We live on a cattle farm outside Outlook. Leslie and Audrey Holmstrom:  There is a five year age gap between our first two children, and three years between our second and third children. This age difference fragmented the closeness during their childhood. Forgiveness is what drew us closer together as a family. If there wasn’t forgiveness, the fragmented relationship would still exist. Elida Holmstrom:  Growing up as the oldest daughter, I was the one who looked out for my brothers, since they were much younger. As we grew older the closeness grew, and now that we are adults the bond is great! David Holmstrom:  I grew up in a small family with two siblings. I was the second oldest. Now I am married with thirteen, soon to be fourteen, children. I can say I have experienced both small and large family life. How is your family different from other families in your congregation? Edward and Maria Ylioja:  Activities are different. In a large family, duties are spread out among many. In our family, Caroline helped with outside chores, and John helped inside due to his blindness. In smaller families, jobs may be more consistent. In our family, Maria tended to do more as help didn’t come as readily. John Ylioja:  There are less people around for activities. We have visited our neighbors through the years and had many visits with relatives. Friendships and bonds from childhood are strong, so visiting is easier. Caroline:  I guess ours is a small family, but, it seems that today believers belong to families and homes of all kinds. Some have many children with large extended families, some have a single parent, some have no children, or few children like ours. Some homes consist of one person. No matter what kind of home we come from, each of us has unique experiences, challenges and perspectives on life. Henry and Twila Simonson:  Being such a small family, we have been able to take many family vacations and spend a lot of time together. Samantha Simonson:  You could say that we are different from many believing families because I am an only child. However, we aren’t different in the ways that matter. I was raised in a believing home, where the gospel was the most important aspect in our family. Leslie and Audrey:  In a small family you don’t learn how to defend yourself among your peers. Elida:  In a larger family, it seems the children always have someone to visit and play with. They learn to compromise by working out differences between them. David:  All my close friends came from large families. At the time, I didn’t think too much about it being a barrier. I felt similar to others because I had extended family members, and we were so close. Jonathan Holmstrom:  It was different due to the age gap and not having as many siblings. In order to hang out and have fun with kids close to our age, we had to get permission to go to a friend’s house instead of playing at home with siblings. How has family size difference made you feel? Maria:  Large families seem to have companions at all times. All the relations in our area tend to visit each other more and exclusion happens. As families and extended families grow, so can the exclusion. People from smaller families can be forgotten. John:  I felt a little excluded at times, due to my disability, rather than left out otherwise. I never felt excluded at church and Sunday school, just more so because we lived in an isolated area in the country. Caroline:  When I was younger, it was easier to see the things we didn’t have, like enough siblings to play board games. I wanted younger siblings, but at the same time I was glad I didn’t have siblings wrecking my things. I enjoyed listening to adult conversations and not being told to “go play” and “be noisy elsewhere.” I think I learned at an early age to appreciate visiting with people of all ages. Samantha:  There have been times throughout my life when I have wished for siblings. For the most part, though, I feel like it hasn’t affected me much. God has blessed me with many, many cousins and close friends. I never felt very lonely growing up and I didn’t miss out on anything. I also have a close relationship with my parents, which is a huge blessing. I consider my parents to be my closest friends and my biggest support in my life of faith. Elida:  I tended to feel a bit excluded and defenseless in dealing and visiting with my peers. The assumption was sometimes made that we got everything we wanted, we were spoiled and wealthy. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. Our family had its struggles temporally and financially. David:  I didn’t feel as if we were missing anything. Looking back now, I would say we were very blessed. No chaos in the house, my own bedroom, quiet time whenever I wanted. When I needed a more lively atmosphere, over to my friends’ places I would go. Jonathan:  Sometimes I felt like an outcast, due to the larger families having their inside jokes. On the other hand, it was fun to hang out with different people and different personalities more often. I had to spread my visits, so one family wouldn’t get sick of me. What would you like other people to be aware of? Maria:  Be aware of those around you and check to see how they are doing. John:  Inclusion goes both ways. It would be good if members of larger families would be aware of those from a small family to include and welcome them to join their activities. In the same way, members from a small family should feel free to reach out to be included. Maria and John:  Believers with disabilities are a blessing. They are people like everyone else and we don’t have to be afraid of them. Also, not all disabilities are visible. Including everyone makes even those with hidden disabilities feel included. It also breeds tolerance and acceptance. We don’t want to make fun or ridicule them. Caroline:  The more we get to know each other as individuals, the more we can understand when and how others might need support on their journey of faith. We can receive this support from others as well. Sometimes a person who is not related to you but is a sister or brother in faith can be just as much or more of a support to you than biological family members. Making an effort to spend time with believers outside one’s biological family is rewarding and enriching and likely means a lot to those who don’t have a lot of family around. Samantha:  Include people who don’t have siblings or not many siblings and welcome them into your family, if you have the chance. I got to feel what it is like to have siblings as I was welcomed so warmly to share in my cousins’ lives. Elida:  It is important to be aware and try to include everyone. Don’t be quick to assume or judge. David:  Remember to include friends that are in smaller families and bring them in close. Jonathan:  Families need to remember to be inclusive and not shun the advances of others, regardless of family size, as you don’t know the struggles they are going through. How have you felt the congregation’s support and care? Maria:  When our kids were young, they were included in their peer groups at Sunday school, day circle and church. The availability of camps has given the opportunity to learn much, to share experiences, and to be uplifted and strengthened in faith. Our home congregation becomes our extended family, and we care for each other. Caroline:  People visited back and forth a lot when I was growing up. We would visit other families and families would come over for an afternoon or evening visit. Getting to know other families, both adults and children, made it feel more that I belonged at church too. Henry and Twila:  We have had support from friends and family in so many ways. Being included and remembered during special holidays and other times throughout the year has been a great blessing. We feel that when we don’t have a big family, it has been easier to help out others when they have been going through trials. Blessings and trials go with small families and large ones. Although there were times that we questioned why God didn’t give us even a few more children, we always come back to “Thy will be done!” Samantha:  I was included. I haven’t felt any different than someone in a large family, even though they may not relate to my personal situation. Elida:  Going to camp was always nice because there were many more people to visit with. Discussions reminded and encouraged me in faith. No matter our differences, we all have the Holy Spirit and the gospel belongs to all. David:  Dunblane congregation was small, very close, and loaded with relatives. With that environment, it didn’t seem that there were ever any gaps. I can see if you were a small family and members of a large congregation, how you might fall through the cracks more easily. Jonathan:  For the most part I felt welcome everywhere, in homes and at church. It was always a nice feeling, the warmth of the Holy Spirit wherever I went, knowing we are on the same journey, and I could turn to anyone for help in any way. As parents of a small family in God’s kingdom, what are some of the questions and concerns you may have had when raising your children? Edward and Maria:  As parents you don’t always know what you need or how to reach out and ask for help. We don’t always feel that we should or can ask for help. Henry and Twila:  As parents of a small family in God’s kingdom our greatest concern was that Samantha would have believing friends. She has cousins that have included her and loved her. She has almost a sibling bond with some. Leslie and Audrey:  The worry always was that they might deny faith. We hoped and prayed they would have close friends to confide in. Conclusion Families of all sizes experience seasons of trial and sorrow and seasons of joy and fulfilment. Everyone experiences times when support is needed and other times when they can offer support to others. Friendliness and awareness are very key things to remember in one’s own family and between families of all sizes. There are so many ways to reach out to others. No matter the size of our families, each one is known and cherished by God. He sees the joys and challenges of every home, whether bustling with many voices or quiet with only a few. In His eyes, no family is too small, no heart is overlooked, and no life is without purpose. His love surrounds us all. As His children, we can trust that He has placed us exactly where we belong, blessing us with what we need for our journey. In every home, the most precious gift we own is faith. Bless and shield us all, each and ev’ry home. Grant us escorts in Thy kingdom. Lord, we ask for guiding wisdom; may we always be in Thy unity. – SHZ 431:4   Discussion Questions: 1. How does family size impact the way responsibilities, chores, and relationships are structured within the home? 2. What challenges might individuals from small families face in congregational life, and how can congregations ensure that all feel included? 3. How does one’s family structure shape their experience of friendships and social connections? 4. What role does personal faith play in shaping your perspective on family size and in finding contentment in the blessings God has given? 5. How can individuals in any size family be more intentional about reaching out to those who may feel isolated or excluded?

Rick Nevala | The Voice of Zion April 2025 - Round the Table Article -- I sometimes see a fellow traveler of the way sitting alone at services and my heart goes out to them. I wonder what brought them there to sit alone. I seldom find strength to go talk to them. Imagine arriving at services and no one notices you; no one speaks to you. I admit that as a pastor in a large congregation I have sometimes felt loneliness. My circle of immediate relatives and close friends is small. Sunday morning after services I hear people openly say, “I am going here,” or “I am doing this.” Large social circles provide them with many opportunities to attend festive occasions and events. Most times, exclusion is unintentional. Social structures facilitate our needs. Large family trees connect people from birth. There is no need to join a group – it is automatic. Family social structures help meet needs that arise in celebrating life events, and for some it’s easy to fill a house through family ties. I find that I have to wait for an invitation, or make an effort to include myself.  In congregation life, we can review organizational structure and policies to discover who is included and who is excluded. We can compare lists of duties with the member list. A pastor can list all the elders and then visit them. What about when new members join the congregation? How are they noticed? Do they know how to become a member? How do we welcome them? Some may be overlooked if they don’t have a helpful relative to usher them in. What does the Bible say about this? Hebrews 10:24,25 encourages us to support one another in love and to gather together regularly. Scripture does not encourage us to believe on our own, but to gather to protect our mutual faith in the fellowship of believers. To an individual, exclusion may feel intentional. One’s nature may be such that it is hard for them to approach others without a clear reason. Some may be timid by nature and may require support to find the bravery to connect and join groups. Those who already belong to the group can authentically include others by coming to where the newcomer is, greeting them and treating them like they belong. Authenticity is about being real; there is no single perfect way to reach out and include another. We can do away with exclusion when we, as Paul exhorts, “outdo one another in showing honor [to the other]” (Rom. 12:10, ESV). In some cases, exclusion is intentional. This can dramatically affect those who are excluded. If we walk by without acknowledging another, it emphasizes to the ignored one that they are alone. Jesus explains how the good Samaritan stopped to help. The pastor, the learned, the connected person who knew everyone passed by. It feels good to include others. Paul encouraged the Galatian believers, “Let us not grow weary of doing good” (Gal. 6:9, ESV). He reminded them that in well-doing there is a blessing. Both the giver and receiver benefit. God’s kingdom benefits when all are included in the work and all walk in unity of Spirit and love. We can all take a part in this.   Discussion Questions: Tell about a time you joined a new group. How did you feel? What helped?  How can we make others feel included at church or in school? Who are the people that are marginalized today, in our lives and in society at large? What can we learn from God’s Word, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan, about noticing and including others?

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion April 2025 - News & Notes Article --  Jesus said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head, and temporal life ended (John 19:30). In that moment a promise was fulfilled and atonement for sin was completely paid. Today, by faith, the child of God rejoices in the eternal hope promised to one who is believing on the work finished by the Lord Jesus. As we gather in services and with family this Easter season, marvel at this matter, that our hope rests on eternal matters and the rest awaiting in heaven one day. Update on LLC Activities  Pastoral A new ministers’ workshop, held at the LLC office in February, welcomed 15 attendees. We experienced the blessing of gathering to discuss the responsibilities and duties that have been entrusted by the congregations with this calling.  Minister’s camp is held at Stony Lake Camp in early April. This annual event is a camp where servants of the Word gather to visit around timely topics, receive encouragement and enjoy fellowship with one another. The scheduling of 2026 services and events continues. The LLC core event scheduling is completed and we are currently in a phase of scheduling congregation special services, rotation services, and services in locations where believers live but do not have a formal congregation. Education The first education-focused video was distributed to congregational Sunday School contacts at the beginning of March. The topic of the video is “Introduction to the Bible.” Those who’ve viewed the video have provided helpful and positive feedback and support production of additional teaching videos. Facilities The Stony Lake Camp Board has completed west dorm renovations. The renovations included updated bunks, replaced old flooring and cleaning and sealing interior wall surfaces. Planning is ongoing for a pavilion concept at Silver Springs. The purpose of a pavilion is to support summer services, regional service events, workshops, seminars and other day-use events.  Mission Work The April mission trip to Togo and Benin will be the first time services have been arranged in Benin. In previous years, there have been believers from Benin who have traveled to Togo for services.  Communications The broadcast studio at the recent Phoenix Winter Services was full of activity all weekend. Many hours of pre-recorded programs combined with in-studio live interviews complemented the focus of the broadcast, the services of God’s children. We appreciate the many local believers who worked in the studio in a variety of roles and supported this area of work.  Pre-recorded content that was broadcast at services will soon be available on Hearken,  our publications app, so you can listen in to what you may have missed during the services weekend. We will hold an online Content Creators Workshop on April 26. Contact us for more information if the details on this workshop have not reached you otherwise. It is time for young people who are interested in studying at an opisto in Finland to apply for an LLC opisto scholarship! Applications can be found on the LLC website and are due May 15. We are currently accepting applications for the 2026–27 opisto year. The season of graduations and summer weddings is soon upon us once again. Consider gift subscriptions to LLC periodicals or our Hearken  app as you select gifts to give in honor of these milestones.

Last year, the LLC Periodicals Survey was conducted to better understand how believers in North America use LLC periodicals and publications, to gain insight into the types of content believers especially value, and to identify areas of opportunity for improving LLC publications. The survey results were analyzed and presented to the LLC Print Publications Committee last spring. The survey responses generally indicate that believers find meaningful content for their walk of faith in LLC publications, and most express strong support for LLC publications. Respondents especially appreciate personal stories about the experiences of individual believers. They also value faith-based articles and devotional content, and pieces about interesting historical events and people. Survey responses indicated areas of opportunity as well. These include resolving technical issues with the Hearken  app; improving LLC website navigation; alleviating the perception of political bias around certain issues; continuing to emphasize print publications while rolling out a more varied array of digital experiences and content; and increasing the amount of content centered around personal stories and experiences of believers. The free-form text responses from the survey were also analyzed. Respondents express gratitude and appreciation towards the people who work on producing and editing periodicals, and thank LLC staff for their hard work and dedication in putting them together.  Some respondents provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. For example, one respondent mentioned that they would like to see more articles on mental health, marriage issues, and raising kids, and how these tie into being a believer. Another suggested that there should be more focus on youth and that articles should be easier to comprehend. Yet another expressed appreciation for the variety of periodicals and the different ways they can access the materials. Overall, respondents seem to value the work put into the periodicals and appreciate the efforts of the people who produce and edit them. Many suggestions were also received, which include: fix glitches in the Hearken  app to improve user experience; provide more personal stories and experiences of believers; avoid political or controversial topics; provide more content for youth, especially articles written by young believers. The LLC Communications Department has already acted on many of the suggestions and insights gathered from the survey. For example, in recent months much work has been done in cooperation with the Hearken  app developer to make usability improvements, particularly in the audio player function on Android devices. We have also incorporated more content about believers’ experiences in both print and audio format. Last year we had a fiction writing contest with a call for long fiction for young adults; the books that will result from the manuscript selected from those submitted are just one of the types of content intended for youth. We welcome your feedback on all LLC publications. Be in touch! Meanwhile, we continue to do the work set before us with the prayer that God will give the increase.   LLC Print Publications Committee LLC Board representatives: Sam Roiko (chairman), Petri Hotari, Steve Laiho, Lauri Nevala, Marv Wittenberg Committee members: Keith Kariniemi, Kevin Moll, Mary Ann Wikman, Aaron Wuollet,  LLC Staff: Ruth DeLacey, Annette Johnson, Matthew Keranen, Shanna Pirness, Sandra Pylvainen A Note on Survey Methodology KPI (Key Performance Indicator):  A metric used to evaluate success. In this survey, the KPI is based on the NPS. NPS (Net Promoter Score):  A Customer Experience industry standard metric that measures a respondent’s likelihood to recommend a product or service to others. It is statistically tied to organizational effectiveness and performance across industries and time. The overall LLC Periodicals NPS score is 50, which appears to be equivalent to ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ for this population. However, more data gathered across a broader time frame is required to understand any trends for this score. The survey included driver questions,  which are designed to uncover the main factors influencing the KPI. Correlation analysis indicates that the factor most closely correlated to overall NPS is satisfaction with publications content, with a correlation coefficient of about 0.65, indicating a positive relationship. The survey also asked about the ease of accessing publications, satisfaction with the design and layout of publications, and the usefulness of publications. However, these factors are not correlated to the KPI. The LLC Periodicals Survey employed a variety of questions using a 9-point scale (0–8), with an open-ended text box accompanying nearly every question. Invitations were open to all and allowed for the same individual to submit multiple responses, which complicates the data’s representativeness. The response volume suggests the data is sufficient to offer valuable insights that are directionally sound. However, the inherent bias of self-selection, where individuals with strong opinions—particularly negative ones—are more likely to respond, must be carefully considered. Despite the survey’s limitations, its results are considered a valuable “temperature check” of consumer sentiment. These results should not be viewed as a definitive assessment of all publications. Nonetheless, the data provides important insights into how individuals interact with LLC publications and what respondents prioritize. This information will continue to inform the development of LLC publications.

Aaron Anderson | The Voice of Zion April 2025 - The Sabbath Word 2 Article -- Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. –  Isaiah 43:10–12 The English word witness comes from the Old English witnes,  meaning “attestation of fact, event, or statement.” It is related to the verb wit,  meaning “to know.” In many languages, the term for witness includes elements of seeing, knowing, and testifying. The theme for this Sunday’s Old Testament text points to God’s chosen people as being witnesses of the resurrected Christ, which was yet to come and is described in Isaiah’s prophetical book. In our text the children of Israel were once again being gently called by our loving Father. They had found themselves in a dark place. They were under Babylonian captivity. God had allowed them to be conquered and taken away from their beloved homeland, because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness. This was a wake-up call to many of the children of Israel. We recall how the Psalmist described their feelings during this time in Psalms 137, verses 1–4: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”  The unbelieving people in Babylon worshipped many different gods. God reminded the children of Israel through the prophet how He is the only one, true God. Only He has the power to save. This was in stark contrast to the powerless idols of the Babylonians. Despite the Israelites’ sins and even unbelief, God still loved them. Through the prophet, He called them back to Him. In this calling He gave them a duty to be witnesses of Him.  Today, Christian believers are charged with the same duty as the children of Israel so many years ago. While we have not witnessed the miracles of the Old Testament nor have we seen Jesus in the flesh, through faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit we have witnessed His resurrection. How have we witnessed His resurrection? It is through the heavenly love of our Father that we have experienced when a fellow believer has preached unto us the freeing words of the gospel. As Juhani Uljas writes in “The Treasure Hidden in a Field,” “When the spear of the Roman soldier pierced the side of Christ, the holy atoning blood that flowed from it extinguished God’s anger and fulfilled the demands of His righteousness. Christ’s blood did not flow to dry on the rock of Golgotha and merely be a historic fact within our reach. God preserved its sermon of atonement, so that the purity and forgiveness that it provides would be therein offered to the penitent sinner” (LLC, 2003). When we believe our sins forgiven our light can shine brightly into this ever-darkening world. The unbelievers around us notice and might even ask of us: what is different about you? When we are witnesses of our resurrected Lord and Savior, it is important that our memory remains clear on that of which we are called to testify. This is done by “holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9). Our conscience can only remain pure through believing the preached gospel. Luther emphasized the proclaiming of the gospel as a means of sustaining faith. He 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.” The confidence of the gospel equips believers to boldly testify of what God has done in our lives - how He has redeemed us - just as Israel was called to testify of God’s grace so many years ago. The power of witnessing, or our testimony, lies not in us but in the message we proclaim. The gospel itself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, carries the power to awaken faith; it is not the words by themselves but God’s Spirit that works through the proclamation of forgiveness. God will work through our testimony, no matter how weak or inadequate we may feel. Jesus teaches us in Luke 12, verses 11 and 12, “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” The message in our text reminds us that it is God who saves, declares, and shows—we are simply called to testify of His works. Dear child of God, be of good cheer! We are encouraged to trust in God’s power and faithfulness as we bear witness to His grace in our lives. Let us join the Psalmist in declaring, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (Ps. 118:17). As witnesses of the resurrected Christ through faith, we have the joyful privilege of sharing with the world the hope and salvation found in Him.