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Arvin Pirness  | The Voice of Zion September 2024 - News & Notes Article -- My summer concluded with the first Pre-confirmation camp at Prairie Shores in Saskatchewan and the return of the Peace Garden Youth Days. This fellowship and time spent in the study and hearing of God’s word reenforced to me one key matter of the joy of believing. The peace of God that surpasses all human understanding is so calming for God’s children whose endeavor to heaven is in this world but not of it. The future of God’s kingdom is bright, not because of any inherent glow on our part, but because the faith of even the youngest, inexperienced, tempted and tried child of God radiates a powerful contrast to the darkness of this world. To the child of God, no greater matter, no greater joy can be known than to experience peace of conscience and hope of heaven. To you young, who traditionally return to school this time of year, be ready and willing to share of that hope of heaven you experience through faith. May God bless you as you progress along your path of education. Update on LLC Activities Education Volunteers are an integral part of Christian education, whether by teaching at camps or in local congregations. Volunteers also support Education in development and improvement of educational curriculum. As an example, the LLC is managing a project to provide Sunday School teachers with additional teaching aids. Volunteer committees in local congregations continue to work on making these updates.  All camp centers have enjoyed a very active camp season. Of special interest, perhaps, this year is the first year that Youth Camps were hosted at Silver Springs, in Monticello, Minn. A total of 110 youth participated in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Youth Camps.  Staff and participant camp evaluations are an important part of camp work. The information gathered from these evaluations assist in developing additional programs, addressing needs in food service and lodging and determining what benefits participants and staff realize from their camp experience.  285 Confirmation students attended eight Confirmation Schools this summer. As the numbers of participants grow, we continue to explore additional ways to serve our youth. In 2025 there are plans to hold four Confirmation Schools at Stony Lake, one each in the Pacific Northwest, Prairie Shores and Hasscib and two at Kamp Kipa.  Preconfirmation school curriculum focuses on Luther’s Small Catechism. Staff evaluations from these camps prompt us to find ways to limit the size of these camps to less than 40 students with 30 seeming to be an ideal number.  A camp board workshop is scheduled for October 4–5, 2024. All North American Camp Board members are invited to attend.  Mission Work After the summer hiatus, mission trips resume in the fall. Trips to Sierra Leone, Ghana and Togo have recently happened, and a confirmation school was held in Kenya. The introduction “Be Sober, Be Vigilant” which was presented at the Minister and Board Members meeting during 2024 Summer Services was the discussion topic for LLC Ministers Webinar 3 on August 29. The 2024 LLC Ministers and Wives Camp will be held in Longview, Wash., September 20–22. The theme for the event is “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house” from Psalm 84:4. Communications The LLC Opisto Scholarship Committee recently met to select opisto scholarship recipients for the 2025–26 opisto year. These scholarships are awarded to applicants based on selection criteria reviewed and approved by the LLC Board. Those awarded scholarships are asked to confirm whether they will accept the scholarship and commit to a year at opisto. Once all recipients have confirmed their acceptance of these scholarships, the list of recipients will be published. Each year there are some students who are interested in paying their own way to opisto. The availability of self-pay spots is dependent on the opistos, and this is not determined by LLC. When we hear from the opistos whether they will accept self-pay students, we will inform those applicants who have indicated their interest to us. We will hold our annual Content Creators Workshop September 13–15 at Stony Lake Camp in Minnesota. We are sometimes asked what a Content Creator is, or who is a content creator? To us in the Communications department, a content creator is anyone who contributes written material, art, digital media or music content. A content creator is anyone who contributes to any of our projects in any way. We need the contributions from many people in order to sustain our current level of product and periodical production. 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. At this year’s Content Creator Workshop, we are joined by two guests from SRK. Hanna Aho will discuss aspects of believer fiction, and Katri Isopahkala will discuss planning and producing content for believers’ periodicals.  In March, LLC announced a fiction writing contest. This is open to writers of all ages. We hope to receive manuscripts of novels aimed at teenagers and young adults. We further hope that the manuscripts submitted to the writing contest depict the lives of believing characters and are supportive of faith. The contest is open through the end of November, so you still have time to send in your submission! For more information, see the notice on our website.

Marty Wuollet | The Voice of Zion September 2024 - The Sabbath Word 5 Article -- The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. – Psalms 103:19–22 The tone of this Psalm suggests it was written when King David was an older man. His proclamations and encouragement sound as if from one who has lived long and failed many times.  David’s history is familiar to all of us, from the time of his anointing to his death. There were times in his life where his will and God’s were aligned, and times when David had to resign his will, finding God’s ways unshakeable. Many of the psalms are written from the perspective of a child of God and speak personally from the writer’s heart. In this way it is comforting for us to know that God’s ways haven’t changed, and neither has our place, but as the saints of old we all have common experiences in this time of life on earth. Our psalm text assures that God is reigning and His kingdom rules over all. This is not so obvious to our mortal eyes, nor to the will and desire of our flesh. Often, we pray for prosperity, peace on earth, peace with our neighbors, good government, peace between our governments and many other things of this nature. These are good prayers, and we ought to pray for these things. We should thank God for these, even if we think a person in office may be lacking or have ill motivation.  In our own prayers, we can hear an aching for God to align His will with ours. But as Jesus prayed and taught us to pray, “thy will be done;” we resign our will to the will of God, trusting that God’s ways are best. There were times when the kingdom of Israel ruled over the land, and there were also times when they were enslaved.  This difference is only notable from this place of temporal life. God’s kingdom is eternal, heavenly, and reigns in the war of good versus evil. It also serves to the individual person as opposed to a given nation or culture. No eternal value comes from our position on earth, ruling or enslaved—what is important is believing. By faith, in personally believing the gospel, all of God’s children are freed from the bondage of sin. The victory over sin, death and the devil are given as a gift.  There is not any need for us to see a kingdom rise on this earth and win over lands and control existing powers. The gift and victory are in our heart already and no one can take it away. This gift has been given by God to each of His children, and we are brought into this kingdom of pardoned sinners, to be cared for and to care for others. God’s kingdom is hidden in plain sight on this earth and those who see it from the outside aren’t aware of its everlasting nature. Often, they see it as old-fashioned, traditional, strict, judgmental or even cult-like. Many who have left this kingdom seek a broader path but still want to be justified and they may also become critical in this way.  The marvel is that God has given this to the individual, for each of us to know and believe in our own heart. So personal is this for each of us that we can live through all phases of life in peace, freedom and joy, trusting securely that God’s hand will bless and guide accordingly in this world. Even when the world rises before us, which could make us tremble in the flesh, we have this trust that God will still care for us and give us the strength we need in that moment. Scripture tells us that God’s Word has been put into our hearts as Paul relates in the letter to the Romans, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach” (10:8). This is the call then for each of us who have personally been given the grace to believe. To sing praises unto God for His goodness and love to us. To praise His ways above our understanding. To rejoice when our own flesh has been humbled for the sake of salvation. When we read the psalms of David, we can consider that though he was a king on earth, he sought the righteousness of God continuously, and he blessed God for keeping him as a believer. With this same faith, we children of God encourage each other and offer His grace to all humankind.

Ruth DeLacey | The Voice of Zion September 2024 - Featured Article -- George Koivukangas of the Cokato, Minn., congregation has retired after 34 years as an LLC board member. George shares: “I’m so glad God has given me a thankful and joyous mind as I step back from the work of the LLC board. I treasure the many years of fellowship, freedom and unity that have prevailed among the board members. It feels good to see the new God-given gifts that have been added. I feel blessed that God kept me close to the work for so many years. I gained much more than I was able to give.  “I certainly felt the prayers and support of believers throughout those years, especially during the years of spiritual battles. “This summer’s festive Summer Services felt like a foretaste of Heaven. My heart rejoiced. The encouragement toward the work of God’s kingdom at the Annual Meeting was especially comforting. God is with us and will never leave us.”   Peter Kuopus of Ishpeming, Mich., is retiring from the LLC Board after 12 years of service due to a health situation. “The work has expanded over that time, yet God has called the right people into the work. I am thankful that God’s kingdom is present, and we can be a part of it. The main message in God’s kingdom is the message of the gospel which never changes. I will miss dear brothers and sisters that I have worked with. God has allowed this illness, and I must take time to rest. Amongst Zion there is unity and support for the work. We can trust without fear to continue.”   New LLC Board Members Matthew Keranen Nate Maki grew up in the Seattle and Spokane, Wash., congregations. When he was fresh out of high school, his friend told him there’d be a job for him in Alaska. So, Nate went. Nate is now 39 years old. He and wife Riita have ten children. He works in power line construction and serves in a variety of roles in the Alaska congregation. Recently Nate was nominated to fill a position on the LLC Board of Directors. At the 2024 LLC Annual Meeting, this nomination was approved. Nate has lived in Alaska for over 20 years. When he moved there, the whole congregation fit in a living room. Since then, God has given much growth. In the early days, everyone had to be involved to allow congregation life to happen. Nate says he had no choice but to teach Sunday school as a teenager when he was asked. He says that those responsibilities helped him grow up. Today the Alaska congregation has many families and many youth. Nate says that when he and Riita were a young family, they learned of family life from older families. Now it is their turn to serve and guide younger families. It requires more effort to be close-knit with a larger congregation, but through working together on building projects and arranging special services, the congregation remains close. When Nate was nominated to be an LLC board member, it felt heavy on the one hand, yet he knew he was in the care of the congregation. He’s not sure what all it means to be a board member, but he trusts it will be revealed. He understands that it is good for the Alaska congregation to be connected even in this way to the LLC and to other congregations in the Northwest Mission Area. Nate trusts that despite the doubts that come when asked to serve in this role, there will be blessings as well. He will be cared for in the middle of the flock. He will serve by discussing the issues that arise and in other duties that are given. Nate extends thanks to brothers and sisters in faith who remember him and his family in this time. They are grateful for prayers and support.   Steve Laiho comes from Palmer, which is near Ishpeming, Mich. His mother was a believer, and his father was granted grace to repent later in life. He learned of caring for one’s faith life from his mother. She didn’t know Scripture, Steve says, but she used the gospel often. Steve was a member of the Ishpeming congregation for 51 years. There he and his wife Lois established their home, into which nine boys and nine girls were born. One small boy went to heaven as a 7-month-old. Today Steve and Lois live in North Dakota, where they are members of the Williston congregation. Of their 17 living children, three still live at home. Their youngest is 15 years old. Steve says it’s a new stage of life. He still needs to work, he says, and enjoys his work in the oil industry. His wife can get out more after spending 30 years at home. She enjoys visiting their children and grandchildren, of which they’ll have 30 by the end of the year. Williston is a growing congregation that is working to build their own church facility. They have 150 children in Sunday school, and Steve says that the future of the congregation is bright with so many young ones. As a servant of the Word, he performs many baptisms. Steve has served his local congregations and area mission work in a variety of roles. Two years ago, he joined the Northwest Mission Area board. When he was nominated to join the LLC Board of Directors, it came as a total surprise. The 2024 LLC Annual Meeting confirmed the nomination, and Steve became an LLC Board member. Steve shares that he wants to be obedient and serve as asked. He knows there is lots of work to be done and he has seen that there are many willing workers. He recalls advice of Ishpeming elders Dan Rintamaki and Tom Prophet to say yes when asked to serve. Steve wishes to use his own gifts as he is able and to work with those gifts God has given others. He can help his home congregation and the Northwest area stay connected to LLC work. The work comes with blessings, blessings the enemy would want to hide from view. Steve says many have remembered him with encouraging words and prayers. That, he says, makes it easier to serve willingly.

Varina Petaisto | The Voice of Zion September 2024 - Home & Family Article -- Like boughs that bear abundance when firmly on the tree, as people we’re created to with each other be. – SHZ 420 We recently made a cross-country move to Colorado. Before settling here, we spent five months traveling the east coast of the United States. After that time on our own, we felt welcomed and a sense of joy to belong in a congregation again. We have felt the blessings in attending the planned activities of the congregation. We have also experienced much joy in visiting with our believing escorts of all ages; whether in their homes, or ours.  There have often been opportunities to enjoy nature with others, camping, mountain biking, skiing or some other activity. In these ways we have developed friendships and connections with our brothers and sisters in faith in this congregation.  To experience this connectedness, we found it is important to reach out to others, and to respond when others reach out to us whether it be to visit or to help in some way. Through visiting at various functions, we can get to know fellow believers from the heart. We share life’s experiences, questions, joys, sorrows, and most importantly, we can be uplifted on our journey of faith. We have found when others have shared their life’s experiences, and we gain insight and strength for our own endeavor. Hearing others share has also given us the strength to visit about our own trials and experiences. When we feel connected to our journey friends, we are then able to reach out in times of trial to lean on our travel escorts, and we feel the freedom to help others who are experiencing times of trial. Apostle Paul writes, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Connect with Those Far Away We also connect with our dear ones who live far away. We use messaging platforms to share photos with family and friends, as well as video chats to feel even closer when we can’t visit in person. We need to find a balance between catching up virtually and enjoying the present moment with those who are physically around us. One way we have used technology to connect is through story hour, where our kids meet with their cousins on a Zoom meeting hosted by aunt Natasha. This has been such a fun way to connect with cousins, and to enjoy a story read by a dear aunt who now lives far from us. In this time of digital connectedness, it has been a blessing to be able to stay connected with our family and friends who live far away. We have also felt the importance of forming friendships with those in our home congregation who share our everyday life and experiences. Most importantly, we share the gift of the Holy Spirit, which unifies us in faith.  Staying Connected in God’s Kingdom John Waaraniemi When I was asked to write an article on how I stay connected in God’s kingdom, I first wanted to say no. But after thinking about it, I realized that other than at church and living at my cousin’s place, I find myself not doing much with other believers. Maybe that’s the reason I was asked.  In my congregation there are no other single guys my age – all my friends are married with children. Generally, I stay home or go and do my own thing. It seems that the older I get, the timider I am to reach out to others for visits, most always waiting for invitations from others.  Quite often I get in the mindset that nobody wants an older single person like me over. Sometimes, feeling alone in crowds, I find myself skipping out on other church activities like graduation parties and weddings. I am fortunate to work for a company where most of the employees are believers and during the week I’m not completely away from believers.  I find it important to get to services and have fellowship there as well as connecting with family and friends back home in Minnesota. Although I’m not as socially active as others, I enjoy smaller group activities and value my believing escorts.  Contacts on My Pathway Paula Petaisto I am in the kitchen preparing a meal for friends who want to participate in a fundraiser for the Colorado congregation. At the same time, I am connected to the Oulu Cathedral by a virtual connection, listening to an evening of singing for the upcoming 2024 Suviseurat  in Pudasjärvi, Finland. The cathedral is packed to full capacity. Not everyone who wanted to attend was able to get inside. A beloved brother in faith is describing the event. The motto of Pudasjärvi services causes one to pause and ponder. It asks, “Do you love me?” It is Jesus’ question, and it touches each one of us. It is a timely question. What is my answer? We moved to Colorado about three years ago so that we could be closer to our grandchildren. A child does not doubt that Jesus loves her or him. Even this very day, as we were eating breakfast, the little two-year-old blurted out: “Let’s sing ‘Jesus Loves Me.’” A child is an example of faith to us. She trusts that mother, or even grandma, will take care of her. Eyes sparkling, she meaningfully sings: “Yes, Jesus loves me.” Jesus loves every one of us. But do I want to accept His love? Do I regard my sisters and brothers in faith as being important in my life? According to the Bible the fruits of the Holy Spirit are, among other things, love, joy and peace. By faith I understand that I need escorts on my pathway. Even though we are different, here on the narrow path of striving onward we have the same goal. We want to follow Jesus, to listen to and hearken to His Shepherd voice in the kingdom of God. We are not alone. We need one another so that only heaven would be visible. During my life, I have dwelled in many localities and in congregations of varying sizes, alone and together. When we lived at the lonely watchman’s outpost in California during the latter part of the 1990s, I thought then that it would be good for every believer to experience this situation in life where dear journey friends and escorts are far away. By this I mean how connection to other friends living in remote outposts became so important. What precious moments we experienced when after a three-hour drive we were able to gather with friends in their home for home services! The proximity of friends in faith is not to be taken for granted. I am grateful that God has preserved me as His child and led me by the hand unto this very day. This connection with friends in faith is best when, during our conversations, we can sense that we share the same understanding of faith and the unity of the Spirit. This is an incomprehensible gift, regardless of whether we are near or distant from each other.   Encouraged among Brethren Elle Wittenberg I remember the dark, heavy air of that night. The suffocating weight of loss. She stood before me, but I knew that she was gone. The connection that had bound us together so tightly was severed, as though slashed in two. I held her almost as desperately as I wished to let her go. How could someone I loved so completely be so lost? For a long while the ground beneath me felt as though it were made of sand. My vision blurred as I waited to receive communion. I shook from the effort to stand, to continue along the line. A wave of sorrow loomed, threatening to engulf me. And then he was there, unwavering, reaching for my drowning soul. My brother’s arms wrapped around my form and the words flowed over me, “You can believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood.” All was still. Now I see that God allowed for certain connections to change or be lost altogether, yet I can see what truly matters. It can be difficult to lose a friend to the world, and to forget the beauty and surety found in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that also teaches us to keep hope and love for those lost ones. Though we feel pain and loss, it is important to remember to turn to God’s Word found in His kingdom. Remarkably, even without speaking, we may feel the bond unlike anything this world has to offer. I am comforted as I remember Romans 1:12, “You will be encouraged amongst brethren.” As we continue to haltingly reach out a hand to our escorts in faith, that distant, glowing heaven draws us ever closer.   Discussion Questions How do you balance all the connections in your life, both with those around you and those farther away? Tell about a time in your life when you have especially needed connections with other believers. How does the ease of forming new connections shift through the ages and stages of life? What changes when one you’ve connected with loses their faith? How can we support those that are new to our area or who appear to be alone or lonely at services? Ponder the words of song of Zion 433, verse 4. What do they say about a believer’s longing for connection?

Keith Moll | The Voice of Zion September 2024 - What Does the Bible Say Article -- “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 In our world today we witness talk of peace amidst the backdrop of wars and rumors of wars. Ideologies clash, and humanity grapples with the repercussions of its discord. Jesus spoke of the last days, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places” (Matt. 24:7). Although peaceful resolution to conflict is the desired outcome, Scripture reminds us that wars are a sign of the end time. Temporal world peace will not be achieved when the enemy of souls works together with humans’ corrupt portion to create chaos and turmoil throughout the world. We can pray for peace and stability in the world and ask for God’s blessings in our homelands. What causes distress and restlessness? Personal peace is quite different than world peace. Sin and disobedience cause personal distress and sorrow. The Ten Commandments, which God gave to Moses, reveal His will for humankind. These commandments can awaken one to sin. Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Roman believers, “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). When God awakens people to the knowledge of their own sin and the consequences of it, they are left only to seek God’s grace and mercy. Paul also wrote, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). God in His Word promises a remorseful, penitent seeker that they will find. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:7,8). True heavenly peace is found in God’s kingdom here on earth. Where does peace abide? Where does a sin-distressed person find peace? Peace is found where one hears and believes as God’s Word teaches. Jesus explained, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Our sin debt has been paid for by Jesus’ own blood. Peace is found where the blood of Jesus washes sin away. It is found where God’s children are. The core message of God’s Word is the gospel message of the forgiveness of sins. Through hearing and believing this message, faith is received, and true peace of God is found. This is God’s message, preached through the Holy Spirit, that we can personally hear and believe. How does God answer? Even as the world clamors for peace, only God can give a peace which endures through trial and tribulation. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). When sins are all forgiven, God answers with peace. The weight and burden of sin is lifted. When one receives this blessing, and believes, they become a child of God and living fruits of this faith shine into this world. This person desires to put sin away as it attaches to preserve this God-given treasure.  What peace do God’s children own? As recipients of God’s grace, we own a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace encompasses not only the peace of conscience but also the unity of spirit among believers. We are encouraged to keep this peace and love through forgiveness, one to another. Christ’s sacrificial love to us, also kindles a love within us to serve others. Paul to the Ephesians exhorts, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (4:3). We desire to care for each other in both love and truth, reminding each other of sin and its consequences. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Rom. 14:19). God’s children bring the message of peace through the forgiveness of sins. They sow the seeds of God’s Word which brings true peace. They shall be called the children of God.   Discussion Questions: What is the difference between earthly peace and personal peace? How would you describe to another what it feels like when there is peace in your conscience? According to this writing, what makes world peace unattainable? How is the peace that God’s children have different from worldly peace? How can believers contribute to peace within our communities? Read Isaiah 52:7 as you consider this. Why are peacemakers blessed?

Jerry and Julie Johnson   |   The Shepherd’s Voice  August/September 2024 - Home and Family Article –   God wants us to be His meek children. How shall we be meek? Let’s be like lambs! The Bible uses a lamb as an example to us. Lambs are meek. They are small and need protection. Lambs live in flocks of other sheep and lambs. We read about sheep and lambs as having a good shepherd to guide them. Do lambs roar and insist on having their own way? No, they do not. Lambs are gentle and sweet. Obeying their good shepherd is what they want to do. At times, a curious lamb will wander away from the flock. The good shepherd then searches for that lost, bleating lamb and brings it back to the safety of the flock. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. We are His lambs. Jesus wants to keep us safe from sin. We can meekly ask for our sins to be forgiven. We can forgive others their sins as well. Be free and happy! Believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood.   Things to visit about: What are some things that our Good Shepherd provides us. What makes you feel safe? How do you show gentleness to your family and to others?

The Voice of Zion August 2024 - LLC Summer Services At the 3:00 p.m. service on July 4, Jukka Kolmonen of Oulu, Finland, spoke from Hebrews 12:1–3. Hannu Janhunen of Lethbridge, Alta., interpreted. Shari Byman wrote the following synopsis. I especially want to bring greetings from suviseurat in Finland, services which drew altogether over 80,000 people. An incident at the services happened during a storm that came before the communion service. There was an accident that affected everyone. There at the services, the journey of a believing mother ended and later that day, after the communion service, the communion guests sang her favorite song. It was touching when the large group of believers quieted before the hymn, then rose together to sing the hymn. What is a better place of departure than from summer services to join the heavenly communion? The world has become so restless, and the Word of God has been rejected in many places. This can cause a person to become fearful. But our heavenly Father knows all, and we can be secure. “Let us lay aside every weight which so easily besets us.” Our salvation does not depend on how accomplished we are in this life. Let us not throw away our faith. We have such a good God. During baptism, a little child is dressed in a white gown. The white dress represents Jesus, who reconciled the sins of all people. There is no defilement. A reconciled person is ready for the wedding in heaven. Sometimes an anchor is used as a symbol of our faith. Believers have that living hope, the anchor of hope. With the arm of faith, we can grab unto the anchor. There is a rope to the anchor, attached to the shore of glory. For this reason, we gather together at services. Jesus was victorious over death and received life. It is worthwhile to endeavor. What will the end of the world be like? The Son of man will come and judge the quick and the dead, like the shepherd divides the sheep. On one side, he says, “Come ye blessed of my Father.” On the other hand, “Go away, ye cursed, to eternal damnation.” People are divided into two groups, no others. We ourselves have no authority to judge, but the judgment comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus sent His disciplines into the world, He said if they receive you, stay. If not, depart, wipe the dust from your feet and say, “Truly, the kingdom of God has approached you.” The kingdom of God has come nigh unto you. Believe in the gospel.

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion August 2024 - News & Notes Article -- During these summer months, much work is being done in the areas of work God has shown to us. Mission work continues through services arranged in many localities here and abroad. Special yearly services bring believers together to festively gather around God’s Word. Camps in many places provide places of service, learning and fellowship for believers of all ages. God yet gives a time of work, and we thank Him for every blessing. A few weeks have passed since we experienced the gracious hospitality of the Longview, Wash., congregation, host of the 2024 LLC Summer Services. God blessed these services with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God provided words of comfort and peace amidst the chaos and confusion of the world. Approximately 3,400 service guests experienced the services in person at the Kelso High School and hundreds experienced it through the service broadcast. 2024 LLC Annual Meeting Sixty delegates from LLC member congregations met to discuss the work of our church on Friday, July 5. God blessed our meeting with unity of faith and understanding among the delegates – young and old alike. Brothers Steve Laiho from Williston, N.D., and Nate Maki from Alaska were approved to fill the LLC board positions vacated by the retirements of George Koivukangas and Peter Kuopus. Delegates moved that the LLC will hold summer services on or around the weekend of July 4 going forward. The board and staff of heard many supportive and encouraging comments concerning the work proposed in the 2025 Operating Plan. I heard very clearly to go do the work with faith. LLC Personnel We welcome Daniel Kumpula, who has started working at the LLC. Daniel will work in our Mission department. His responsibilities include scheduling of LLC events and camps at our camp centers, supporting member congregation ministers with pastoral resources and supporting area mission committees. We wish God’s blessings for Daniel, his wife Annye and their children. Camp Notes At the 2024 confirmation schools this year, 285 students were confirmed. Three confirmation schools were held at Stony Lake, two at Kamp Kipa and one each in the Pacific Northwest and at Prairie Shores and Hasscib Lake Camps. Camp season is a busy time of the year and it’s also important to emphasize the joys that come from camps, both for those that participate and those that have been asked to serve. We continue to thank God for all His blessings. Mission Work Plans are underway for a Ministers Camp to be held in Ghana in early December. We hope that the majority of the 25 ministers who serve throughout Africa will be able to join us in Ghana for this camp to support them in their duties as servants of God’s Word. May God bless these plans! The believers in Accra, Ghana have been working hard to complete their church facility on a recently purchased parcel of land. The location is much better suited than their previous location. Donations to the Foreign Facilities fund have supported this project. Communications More than 20 young adults from around North America are on their way to Finland in August to begin their opisto year. We wish them God’s blessings on their travels and study abroad. This summer we released a number of new publications. You can look for these at your church bookstore, and most of them are available for order on the LLC website as well. Bible Coloring Book contains 47 coloring pages related to Bible stories, featuring the artwork of Raimo Österberg. God Is So Good is the name of a new music album that features spiritual songs, including several Songs of Zion, sung by children from the Longview, Wash., congregation. There is also a book by the same name that contains the music notation for each song along with colorable illustrations and a brief introduction to each song. The book and CD can be purchased separately or together. The music album is also available on digital platforms. Joyous Wedding Bells is a notebook of vocal music for weddings. This collection contains several songs of Zions and other pieces written to be performed at believing weddings. At your church bookstore you can also look for the 2024 LLC Telephone and Address Directory. During the Summer Services broadcast, we aired 52 pre-recorded programs, nine live interviews, a pre-recorded interview, three news reports from the service site and about 90 songs from LLC albums. Our total time on air was approximately 42 hours, with about 22 hours broadcasted from our on-site broadcast studio. Over time, much of this programming will be available on our Hearken app. The YouTube broadcast is still available for your viewing and listening on YouTube. We are grateful for the heart to serve and many hours of volunteer labor of believers from across the continent that have been put into the production of all these programs.

Kolet Simonson | The Voice of Zion August 2024 - LLC Summer Services The much-awaited 2024 LLC Summer Services in Kelso, Washington, commenced with opening ceremonies on Thursday, July 4. Excitement filled the gym. Perhaps for some this was the first time attending summer services while for others it may have been the fiftieth time attending Summer Services. Nerves and worries mixed with joy at the arrival of this annual summer gathering. How will the service site be laid out? Where are the bathrooms? How will we keep track of our children? Will our children and youth behave appropriately? Who will I talk to? What if no one remembers me? Will I have fun? Will I be fed? Warmly, Personally Welcomed LLC board chairman, Jim Jurmu brought greetings from the LLC board and staff. With Apostle Paul’s words to the Philippians 4:7, he bade welcome to the service guests. He spoke of our happiness when arriving at these services, greeting one another and rejoicing that we have been preserved in living faith to this day. We were encouraged to pray for those loved ones who are lost, for those who serve during these services and for new servants that have been called to serve in God’s kingdom. We were reassured with the gospel and once again welcomed with the “peace of God.” I Will Be Glad Joe Ojalehto, on behalf of the NW congregations, welcomed all to the services and spoke of the service motto (Ps. 9:2). These words speak of that joy felt in our hearts: “I am a child of God traveling toward heaven,” and of the sung praises that we hear at the gathering of God’s children. We were encouraged to uplift our hearts to believe our doubts and sins forgiven so that we too can feel that peace of God as we start these services. Remembered in Prayer from Afar Adrian Pirness read greetings from Sweden. From the SFC we were greeted with these words which were the service motto at the Summer Services held in Dalarna, Sweden (Ps. 84:4). In their message, SFC chairman Timo Löppönen and general secretary Veli-Matti Heikkinen spoke of the mutual faith that unites us in God’s kingdom, evident in the recent meeting held in Monticello, Minn. The SFC wished God’s abundant blessings on our services. Next we heard greetings sent by the board of Ecuadorian congregations. “Receive cordial and brotherly greetings from the congregations of Ecuador. As you are gathered at summer services in Kelso, Wash., we hope that the gospel will allow you to come together as children of God and receive his message and the forgiveness of sins. May our heavenly Father bless these four days of services and shower all listeners with His divine grace. We also ask that He bless the missionary trips that are carried out and protect our ministers in each city they visit. We also give thanks, because His will has allowed the gospel to be transmitted in our own language, for which we thank our beloved translators.” Believers in Togo sent greetings as well. On behalf of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Togo and the national board, Emmanuel Ametsife, President, and Douglas Agnave, Secretary, shared the following: “Once again comes the moment, when God’s flock, has chosen and prepared to gather around His Word. These moments are most important as God’s people because the Word of God delights us as said in Psalms 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” It is always a real desire and pleasure for the brothers and sisters in the Laestadian Lutheran faith in Togo, to unite with you and live in a common spirit, at the beginning and during these summer services. “We experience temptations, trials, doubts, fear, fallings on the journey of faith. But, we people of God who have received the grace are full of hope that one day we will end this way and reach heaven. Through the precious name and blood of our savior Jesus Christ, we have founded our faith on a rock. “You, believing brothers and sisters have always been by our side through the difficult times as well as the happier ones on our journey to repentance. The missions organized by LLC and MW3, with the participation of numerous missionaries from the USA, Finland and Sweden, to Togo in particular and Africa in general, have been a great comfort to us and will continue to strengthen us in our faith. “We thank the great Almighty God who started it all, who sustains it all and who will, we confidently hope, end all for us. We remember you in our prayers and we ask you remember us. Many greetings of joy and peace from brothers and sisters!” On behalf of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Ghana, Chairman Joseph Kuse and Secretary George Emerson Dodzidenu shared that the children of God in Ghana join brothers and sisters in faith as we commenced with this important event. “It is our prayer that the spirit of God will dwell within your midst as He promised in His holy Word to be with you to the end. We hope that this year’s summer services will bring a lot of joy into the heart of all believers as they freely ask for the gospel of forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ name and precious blood.” Believers in Gambia sent greetings. Speakers Edwin Missalie and Alphonse Haba along with Secretary Ezel Mandy shared that they pray that our almighty Father would bless the services and that many who have not yet believed would hear the invitation to God’s kingdom and receive the grace of repentance through the forgiveness of sins. “We believe that we are with you in faith and we pray for many service blessings upon your gathering.” Greetings Relayed in Person Tapani Kirsilä of Finland read Psalm 122:1–9. Before speaking on this text, Kirsilä relayed the greetings from the SRK board and from his home congregation in Toholampi, Finland. He has experienced the same love he feels in Finland, and within this gathering, he sees his brother, his sister, and his mother. The Atlantic Ocean cannot separate that love that is felt through Jesus Christ. Kirsila referenced the first verse of Psalm 122 where David states, “I was glad when they said unto me,” speaking of the precious escorts in faith that encourage us on our journey of faith. He noted the many children and young people present in the gathering and reminded parents that our children are in the most fortunate place – in God’s kingdom. A Festive Weekend Begins Did you feel welcomed as you listened to the opening ceremonies there in Kelso, Wash., either in person or online? I have to say that with the words given to our brothers during the opening services, I felt warmly welcomed to take a seat amongst my brothers and sisters in faith gathered for summer services. Did you also want to sing the hymns of praise? Did you feel the peace, freedom, and joy of believing? I was encouraged to lift my voice in praise to our heavenly Father that I too was given the opportunity to attend summer services and even more importantly that I too can own that peace if I simply believe my sins forgiven. With these reassurances heard in the opening ceremonies, a festive service weekend began.

The Voice of Zion August 2024 - Doctrine and Life Article -- This writing is an excerpt from Miten minä uskon (How I Believe), edited by Ari-Pekka Palola and published by SRK in 2020. The writings are not attributed to a certain author since they are compiled from a variety of texts originally published in Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine (LLC 2022), which was translated from the original Finnish version published in 2018. Installment 17 of 19. In everyday life, we constantly make choices. We don’t often need to think deeply about the reason for making those choices. Sometimes, however, we encounter questions that make us stop and consider how to act correctly in this situation and what to base a decision on. Morals and Ethics Morals mean distinguishing between good and evil, right and wrong and actions based on these, which are reflected in an individual’s decisions and choices. Ethics, on the other hand, is the examination of morality in which one considers, for example, a good life and how to achieve it. Morality includes the understanding of what is good and worth striving for. Things considered good are called values. Examples of values are happiness, justice, and equality. They are goals and aspirations toward which one strives. Some things are pursued for their own sake, while others are used as a means to achieve a value. For example, money can be a means to pursue happiness. In addition to values, morality includes rules or norms. They help to implement values by providing guidelines for different situations. Norms can be commands, recommendations, or prohibitions. Customs represent unwritten norms, while laws and regulations represent written norms. The Basis of Doing the Right Thing Morals are a part of humanity. Striving for good and doing the right thing are inseparable aspects of being human. We expect good from others and assume that we are treated fairly and that we will be spoken to truthfully. The origin of morals is in God’s actions. Humans have received as a birth gift in God’s creation work the awareness of right and wrong. God speaks to us in our conscience and demands that we do what we know is right while forbidding us from doing what we know is wrong. As a result, humans naturally have the need and desire to act with moral correctness (Rom. 2:14–16). Doing what is right is broader than following laws and rules. Something can be considered wrong even if it is not prohibited by law. Distinguishing right from wrong is not always simple. Sometimes one must choose between bad options and choose the lesser evil. The Conscience The conscience is a person’s inner voice, an inner ability to determine right and wrong. Its functioning is evident when a person regrets his or her action or refrains from doing something because he or she considers it wrong. The foundation of the conscience is that God has written His law in the hearts of all people. However, after the fall into sin, the conscience does not provide completely certain knowledge of God’s will. A properly functioning conscience is nurtured by God’s Word and enlightened by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 2:15; 9:1; 14:1). The conscience is functioning when it warns of wrong or unjust actions. The human mind often tries in different ways to silence the voice of the conscience, but this is a bad path. If a person continuously acts against his or her conscience, its voice weakens and is eventually extinguished. Ethical Teachings of the Bible and Luther The Ten Commandments of the Old Testament encapsulate the content of God’s natural law. They embody love and doing good toward one’s neighbor. Jesus taught that what is morally significant is not just the act itself. Proper observance of the law also requires that the act includes the right attitude and motive. The Bible’s ethical teaching is summarized in the Great Commandment, the dual command of love that Jesus taught: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…Love thy neighbour as thyself.” This instruction expresses the Christian view of a person’s place in the world. A person always acts before the face of God and is accountable to God for his or her actions. The person cannot escape or deny his or her moral responsibility (Matt. 22:37–40). According to Lutheran understanding, Christ’s atonement work changes the significance of morality in the life of one who has been helped into faith. A Christian is no longer a slave of sin but rather free of all demands placed upon him or her. This freedom is the basis of Lutheran ethics. Having received love as a gift, the Christian treats his or her neighbors well as a fruit of faith. However, becoming a believer does not make a person sinless. His or her life is a constant battle between the old and new self (Eph. 4:17–24). Morals and Secularization The ever-quickening spread of secularization and the crumbling of biblical authority have been evident in recent decades in both church life and in how society functions. Increasingly, the basic handbook of Christianity is considered bound to time and culture. Nowadays the principle of the Reformation by which the Bible is the highest authority of Christian faith has been replaced by equality and love. It has been suggested that questions related to marriage and female priesthood, for example, be resolved from this standpoint. As Christians we think that faith in God keeps our consciences in the right direction. The fallen human must continuously learn to know the will of God. Faith also gives strength to live according to the guidance of the conscience enlightened by God’s Word.