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

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

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

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

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

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

The Voice of Zion September 2025 - Home & Family Articles -- In God’s kingdom, none of us walks alone. Each believer faces seasons of need – whether adjusting to a new congregation, carrying heavy trials, enduring medical struggles, or battling temptations of faith. At other times, we are given the opportunity to support and encourage one another. The writings that follow remind us that being a help often begins with small acts of love: a greeting, a visit, a listening ear, or a prayer. In noticing the needs of those around us and stepping forward in faith, we strengthen not only our neighbor, but also ourselves, as together we travel heavenward. Helping Others in Need  Rebecca Byman  The Bible teaches us to help one another and to also accept help in our time of need. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). All of us will find ourselves in need many times during our lives, as well as in a supporting role. Our mutual goal is to support all, to prevent the devil from using a trial to undermine anyone’s faith, and instead to foster love and encourage believing. With that goal in mind, it’s good to consider that God made us with various temperaments, strengths and weaknesses. None is better than the other, and all complement each other to accomplish God’s work.  We All Have Needs   At some time in our lives, we all have needs. We notice first the needs of close friends and family, and those of local congregants whose hardships we have been made aware of through diaconate work or simply word of mouth while we are visiting one another. Sometimes the needy one is close to someone in our congregation, but we’ve never met them. Sometimes, they are not part of God’s kingdom but known to the congregation in another way. And, sometimes, they are the person we are visiting, and prior to the visit they perhaps haven’t had the strength to ask for help.  Many Types of Needs  These needs can be temporal or spiritual, as well as visible and invisible. Any of us can find ourselves struggling with temporal afflictions: perhaps our health takes a turn for the worse. Maybe our finances cause intense stress. Addictions can try our faith. Grief may sap our joy. Without doubt, we all can confess that in our endeavor we have daily spiritual needs of the gospel.   And, of course, all who have left faith or have never found themselves in God’s kingdom have a great need of repentance and the forgiving gospel.  Who Can See Our Needs?  Do our escorts see our needs? Many needs are not public knowledge. For example, most people tend to keep their financial situation private. Or, addiction comes with stigma attached, and it may seem prudent to hide it from the public. Maybe our relationships are in distress, but we feel we can figure it out on our own. Certainly our spiritual battles can be invisible. We fall prey to the devil’s sermon to not discuss our confusion with others, lest people judge us.   Others can’t help us if they don’t know of our needs. We must humble ourselves and heed God’s instruction to ask for help in our time of need. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).  Pride, Humility and Personality  Perhaps most people struggle to ask for help. Our God-given temperaments can dictate whether we immediately cry for help or stoically suffer in silence. Different people seek different types of support. We read about someone’s journey through their trial on an online social network platform. Here, an afflicted person may receive love and encouragement from a vast population of caring people. Someone else, on the other hand, who doesn’t like being the center of attention, will request privacy. That doesn’t mean they prefer no help, however.   Also, there are those who don’t know they need help. Some mental illnesses cause the afflicted one to reject help that they feel they do not need. In addition to mental health needs, many with spiritual needs do not see themselves as in need of care.  Why Do We Care for Our Neighbor?  Jesus’s command is to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). Our neighbors are all people we encounter in our lives.  In God’s kingdom our neighbors are special. Our goal is to encourage each other in times of need, lest the devil find a vulnerable spot to attack and gain a foothold. We are taught to be our brother’s keeper, not just to admonish him when we see his error, but also to strengthen his faith in his time of trial, as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ tired arms during a battle (Exod. 17:12,13). The tempter can come from any angle.  Perhaps we feel jealousy and fixate on why there is such an enormous outpouring of love for certain people and not others? Or, we fail to notice someone who is yearning for friends and becomes bitter when, week after week, so few acknowledge them at services until they eventually stop coming. Definitely in our own time of trial, we may doubt and ask why God has allowed this to happen to us. Sometimes we fail to do as God has asked, instead thinking someone else will help. Or, in our pride, we struggle to ask for help as God instructed. These things are part of our battle and it is important to again and again renew our love for one another and humble our own pride and ask for help, God’s grace, for ourselves from our believing escorts. We need each other to reach our goal of heaven.  How Can I Help?  All of us have some type of God given gift to offer. Not all of us are capable of laboring over various acts of service for another. Some of us are impressive listeners who may relieve someone’s burden because they feel heard. For others, it feels natural to give gifts. Our personalities cause us to prefer to show care to another in a certain way. Likewise, we may appreciate one type of help for ourselves over another. In the case that we feel helpless – with no gift to give, or because our would-be recipient is not interested in physical gifts, we are fortunate to all have a gift from the heavenly Father: prayer.  Whatever strengths and weaknesses we find in ourselves, let’s share with each other freely and heed the wisdom in Proverbs 11:25, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” In this way we both bolster our own strength, as well as our neighbors’, and together we help each other get to heaven.   Help for the Struggle  Lance Clarke  A medical struggle can be one of the heaviest crosses a child of God endures in life. And whether it starts as a mental or a physical condition, these tend to intersect with time. Coming from a quadriplegic who has carried a medical issue for twenty years, I know firsthand the burdens that come with physical disabilities. This condition does not just affect me personally, but all my loved ones are affected by it too.  The best way to make a medical struggle into the best-case scenario possible is to avoid thinking of it as a burden or as something that makes your loved one’s lives’ harder. There are also many joys and blessings that come with a medical struggle.  After my car accident, I did not know how I would have the mental fortitude to live the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I prayed constantly to our heavenly Father for strength and guidance. God answered my prayers by sending me brothers and sisters in faith to lift my spirits. People came to my arms with love and compassion. I did not know it at the time, but the support from my fellow travelers in faith took me from a dark place and breathed life back into me.  Believers picked me up and brought me to where I could hear the Word of God or join social events. When I say that they picked me up, I literally mean that they physically lifted me out of my wheelchair and put me into the passenger seat. During the transfer, my buddies would give me a whisker rub on my cheek and say that I was the luckiest man in the world to be tickled by their whiskers. Laughter would ensue and the feeling that I was a burden was quickly extinguished. Some of those rides are my fondest memories. We visited about life and what mattered most, keeping faith number one and preaching the gospel to each other.  As the years rolled by, friends came and went, but there was always a believing friend or relative in my life ready to help me out. There is one brother in faith who I had a special kinship with. We talk on the phone on a consistent basis, and I often think I’d not be a child of God if not for him. He knows me inside and out and during the roughest moments in my life, God always gave him words to guide me back to the flock.  When I was stuck in bed with a pressure sore for over a year and literally going out of my mind with cabin fever, the devil quickly made himself at home in my mind. I went down rabbit holes researching the Bible to justify the sin that was on my conscience. My dear friend in faith listened to me and pointed out how the devil was leading me to misinterpret the Bible. He reminded me that I needed to understand faith like a little child, with humility and trust. “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:15).. We would get into arguments and deep discussions, but we always washed our sins away by preaching the forgiveness of sins to each other.  There is a piece of Scripture that has brought me comfort over the years and answers any questions that I might have: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5,6, NIV).  If you or a loved one are currently going through a medical struggle or facing an obstacle, remember these words of wisdom, “Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, and the worst days give lessons.”   Welcome Others  Guy Shulda  Moving to a new congregation can be exciting but also a struggle. Some may wonder, am I going to fit in, will I make friends?   After Emily and I got married, we moved from Cokato, Minn., to my home congregation of Longview, Wash. We were excited to start our life together in Longview, but we had doubts and questions. I was very nervous my wife Emily would not find a group of friends and would not have others to talk to.   My doubts were quickly subdued after a few weeks. Many of the women at church were welcoming and invited Emily to their homes and to do some activities with them. I was filled with joy to see a smile on my wife’s face, to see her with new friends and to see her active with the congregation.   This was a good lesson for me. I’ve often thought after this experience about the times I’ve seen a new face at church, perhaps a Finnish kid visiting for the summer, and have not said “Hi” or invited them to go do something. These small acts of kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s walk of faith. You can build a lasting friendship with someone just by that small action.   We all have heard the Golden Rule and try to live by these words: “And as ye would that men should do to you do as ye would also” (Luke 6:31). Yet, so many times we see a new face at Sunday services but do not have the strength to go and introduce ourselves.   Remember the times you were in a new place with no one to talk to? Maybe an individual came up and talked to you. That individual might have felt hesitant, but God gave them just enough strength to extend a hand and say “Hi.” You probably remember that person and may have become good friends with them.  These are examples for us to remember when we see that person who doesn’t have anyone to talk to or a new member of the congregation. Find the strength to go visit with them. And, if you are a person new to a congregation, sign up for shifts and duties at church. This can be a great way to meet other members of the congregation. It feels good to help out. The Bible teaches us that there is joy in the work. “In the same way let your light before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). These are all lessons that I have learned since I moved back to Longview with Emily. There were many good reminders to be a brother’s keeper.  New couples have moved to Longview in past months. Often I think of our experience and am reminded to invite them over. I try to make it a point to go visit with them to help them feel welcome.   Discussion Questions  What are some simple ways we can notice and welcome someone new in our congregation?   Why is it sometimes difficult for people to ask for help, and how can we gently encourage openness?   How can trials – such as medical struggles, grief, or financial difficulties – become opportunities for strengthening faith?   What role does humility play in both giving and receiving help?   How can prayer serve as a gift of help, even when we feel we have little else to offer?   Reflect on a time when someone’s support made a lasting difference in your life. What can we learn from those experiences for how we support others?

Eric Jurmu | The Voice of Zion September 2025 - Round the Table Article -- An entrepreneur organizes and runs a business, taking on above-normal financial risks. These decisions can have life-long consequences, not always good. While opportunities change over time, wholesome and ethical practices remain important considerations. Although business opportunities have changed and evolved over the years, wholesome and ethical business practices remain important considerations for the aspiring entrepreneur.  What might motivate a believer to start their own business? How does one’s faith shape the goals they set or the vision they hold for the business? How does a believer define success? What ethical challenges might a believer face or be tempted with as an entrepreneur? What encouragement can we find from God’s Word for someone who is setting out or is an established entrepreneur?  I presented these questions to believing business owners. It was comforting and encouraging to hear their answers. It is evident that God has worked in their hearts to keep priorities in the right order.  What to Consider When Starting a Business  Fear and trust God – He knows the heart and blesses accordingly. Work diligently, keeping faith and a good conscience. Always ask: Will this business or my decisions in it take away my hope of heaven? May God grant owners and employees a way through life with heaven as the goal. Do all in prayer – God blesses in His perfect timing. Even hardships are blessings that deepen our gratitude. With humility, pray: Thy will be done. As Paul writes: Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks (1 Thess. 5:17–18).  Remember, success in business or life never comes from our own goodness, but from God’s grace. As Jesus taught: He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45).  When to Start a Business  Many start a business young, before life’s realities are fully in view. As circumstances change – marriage, children – it’s important to seek God’s guidance and adjust priorities. This can be hard if the business began from personal interest but now demands more time than it should.  One young father realized his business was taking so much time that he was neglecting his family. What began as a blessing was harming his marriage and children. Time must be balanced, keeping faith, family, and friends first.  What Kind of Business  An entrepreneur should ask: What type of business suits me as a believer? One owner prays for a tender conscience to warn him of paths with spiritual pitfalls. While some dangers are clear, others are murky – times when it’s wise to seek counsel from other believers and learn from how the Spirit has guided in the past.  Scripture allows freedom in life choices, yet not all things are beneficial for faith. As Paul writes: “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is beneficial… No one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Cor. 10:23,24, NIV). Ask: What pleases God? Let His Word guide you through difficult decisions: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).  Challenges in Business  Business challenges vary, but a believer trusts that God sees all and aims for actions that reflect this. Ethical questions arise: What advertising is appropriate? Would I cheat on taxes to gain profit? Be tempted to overcharge? Am I paying fair wages that encourage employees?  In today’s economy, interaction with the unbelieving world is unavoidable and not to be feared. Yet, believers must stay alert to when the enemy of souls draws near through business ties. As Paul warns: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… What fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14,15, NIV).  Dealing with Success  If a business prospers, it is God’s blessing – yet success can bring trials. As the hymn says: If God gives me times of gladness, shall I grieve if He gives seasons, too, of sadness? (SHZ 387:3).  One owner never intended for his business to grow so large, yet he now carries responsibility for many employees and investments. He asks: How would God want me to manage this? In this, he prays for humility and trusts God’s plan and help.  Blessings of Ownership  Owning a business can bring real benefits – freedom to come and go, independence in financial decisions, and flexibility to meet family needs. It can also allow more time and means to support God’s kingdom.  Yet earthly blessings are for this life only, not the life to come. As Proverbs 30:8,9 prays: Give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny thee… or lest I be poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

The Voice of Zion September 2025 - Editorial -- We live in a culture that prizes control. We’re told we can design the life we want, chart our path, and shape who we want to be however we please. From daily decisions to long-term goals, it’s easy to fall into the mindset: “If I work hard enough and plan carefully enough, I can make life go my way.”  But what happens when it doesn’t?  The illusion of total self-determination eventually breaks. A relationship falters. An illness arrives. A plan fails. We realize that not everything bends to our will – and that can feel disorienting. Yet for the believer, this truth can be freeing. We’re not in control of everything – and we’re not supposed to be.  Many things in life are beyond our control. We do not choose the day of our birth or the day of our death. We cannot prevent every sorrow or orchestrate every success. Part of living in faith is learning to make peace with this reality: that God is God, and we are not – God is in control, and we are in His care. Scripture gives us comfort in this mystery: “In thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:16). Our days are not random; they are known to Him before we live them. This doesn’t mean that our choices and actions don’t matter. Rather, it means we live under the watchful care of a Father whose wisdom is higher than ours. In that knowledge, we can release our need to control and rest in His providence.  Still, this doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Scripture encourages us to live wisely and faithfully in the responsibilities given to us: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Eccl. 9:10). Martin Luther agreed. In matters of daily life – what he called civil righteousness  – we do have freedom. We choose how to treat others, how to spend our time, what to say or remain silent about. In The Bondage of the Will , he writes, “In external things which pertain to this life, a person is free and has the power to choose… to labor or not, to speak or to keep silence.” And these choices matter. Whether we do what is the right choice or a poor choice or even a fall into sin, our actions can leave a lasting mark on our earthly lives and the lives of others.  God has also given humankind remarkable knowledge and skill – not in opposition to faith, but as part of His ongoing care for creation. Luther affirmed that God works through means: through builders, farmers, teachers, doctors and public servants to serve and protect. “God gives every good thing,” he said, “but not just by waving His hand. He uses instruments, people, and means to do it.” We benefit daily from gifts He gives through others.   As stewards of our lives and others’ wellbeing, we are called to make informed, humble and loving choices. While we are free to weigh advice and act according to conscience, rejecting sound guidance out of pride or the assumption we know better can become a form of self-reliance that turns us away from trusting God. Scripture warns, “Be not wise in thine own eyes” (Pro. 3:7). Living under God’s care means recognizing that our choices carry responsibility and consequence – and also that God’s mercy meets us wherever we fall short.  But what about spiritual things – like choosing God, repenting, and believing?  Here, Lutheran teaching draws a clear distinction. In spiritual matters, we are not free. Without faith we are spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), unable to turn toward God on our own. Jesus says plainly: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44).  This can be hard to accept, especially in a world that celebrates self-made success. But in reality, it’s a source of deep comfort. Our salvation does not depend on our strength or effort. It depends entirely on God’s grace.  Faith is not our decision – it is God’s gift. The heart that believes has been awakened by the Spirit. And once awakened, our will is renewed. We begin to want what is good. We desire to live according to God’s Word.  So we do what we can. We make plans, live honestly, and speak truth in love. And then we let go – entrusting the unknown to God, who sees all, knows all, and loves us still.  Faith doesn’t mean we never struggle. But it gives us a place to rest when our limits come into view. In God’s hands, even what we don’t control is not out of control. Even what we don’t choose is not random. And even when we feel weak, His grace remains strong.

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion September 2025 - News & Notes Article -- September often carries with it memories of change. Where I grew up, in Saskatchewan, it meant the shift from the growing season to the harvest, and from harvest to preparing for the next season.  In our congregations, September brings the return of Sunday School, and in many families the beginning of another school year after a summer away. As I write, the last camp bus is leaving the LLC Office for Stony Lake Camp, marking the close of another busy camp season. In this moment, my heart echoes the words of the songwriter in prayer for our children:  “Dearest Jesus, help Thy children as Thine own e’er to remain,  so that none would fall to journey on the broad and sinful way.  Thou hast promised to be ever with Thy blessed children here.  On the way to school, oh, bless us, may Thy Word to us be dear.  Be Thou also our protection as we wander, as we play;  bless our nights, and guide our duties ev’ry moment of the day.” – SHZ 444  September also brings many activities: the Content Creators Workshop for publications, Ministers and Wives Camp, Fall Youth Days, and more. The life of God’s children is always one of preparation – preparation for our final departure to our Heavenly home. May God bless these moments of fellowship so that they strengthen our faith and encourage us in the endeavor.  Updates on LLC Activities  Pastoral  The 2026 Minister and Wives Camp is held at Prairie Shores Camp in Saskatchewan September 19–21. This camp gives the opportunity for servants of the Word and their wives to discuss this mutual calling as well as topics that relate to the duty that each has been called to serve in.  We thank the Heavenly Father for giving willing hearts to those who served at camps throughout the summer. We see how God has placed the gifts needed to fulfill the duties of camp directors, teachers and preachers at each of our camps.  Global Mission Work  During the summer months, we experience the busy camp season in North America, including Confirmation schools. This summer, confirmation schools were held in Sierra Leone (June, July) and Ghana (August). Additional camps and teachers’ workshops have been held on recent trips. God has blessed these events. At a recent camp for congregation leaders in Kenya, they spoke of their joy to meet others in person. Before the camp, they had known each other only from WhatsApp communication groups.  Facilities  The Silver Springs Camp Board presented a pavilion concept plan to Minnesota congregations in Fall 2024. Congregations provided feedback, which the board is now using to develop a firm proposal. Additional information will be shared at the Minnesota boards’ meeting on October 6.  Hasscib Lake support area congregations hosted Midsummer Services at Hasscib Lake Camp on August 15-16, 2025. Approximately 1,000 people attended this festive service weekend.  The 2025 camp season is winding down. Events were held at Kamp Kipa, Hasscib Lake, Silver Springs, and Stony Lake. The camp boards extend heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who made this season possible.  Volunteer service remains the backbone of camps and many other events. We encourage congregations to continue fostering ways for members to serve. This year, filling kitchen worker shifts was occasionally a challenge; added focus on this area would be especially helpful. Communications  We’re hearing questions on many fronts about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in editing, production, and other creative work. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts with us as we continue to thoughtfully discuss how such tools might be used in appropriate ways.  A new Hearken  update is now available for Android users. Check the app to make sure you are using the latest version, version 2.5. The main change ensures ongoing compatibility with the Android operating system, along with a few smaller fixes.  Do you have ideas for Hearken  content – or skills in video production or audio program creation? We’d love to hear from you as we look ahead to creating new content. Currently we are planning for Christmas programming.  Thanksgiving on Hearken : We’re planning a special Thanksgiving program for Hearken  this November. Send us your favorite Thanksgiving recipe along with an audio recording about where it came from and the memories tied to it. Please contact Ruth at rdelacey@llchurch.org with any questions.  At its July 3 meeting, the LLC Board appointed Phil Jurmu as Publications Director, head of the Publications Department, effective early September. This department is currently called the Communications Department. The name change will take effect in September. Matthew Keranen, who served as Communications Director, will serve as editor and content curator. Our current editor, Sandra Pylvainen, will take on a role as project editor, focusing mainly on fiction and other book projects.  Our annual planning for next year’s periodicals is underway. These plans will be discussed by the staff, at Content Creators Workshops and on LLC Board committees. Your prayers and support for this work are always welcome!