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Humanitarian Aid LLC Humanitarian Aid Committee Origins The LLC humanitarian aid work began in the spring of 2002 in response to requests by ministers returning from mission trips to both Togo and Ecuador. They saw that the most basic temporal and daily needs of many newly converted believers were unmet. Numerous speakers helped with their own funds and wished there was a way to help more of the brothers and sisters in these areas. After hearing these requests, the LLC decided to form a separate fund designated strictly for humanitarian aid. This separation of funds was seen as essential so that the humanitarian work would not get confused with the LLC’s main mission, “to preach the Gospel.” This new fund would ensure that contributors to the LLC would be able to designate how their donation would be used, for mission work or for humanitarian purposes. At the initial humanitarian aid meetings, the committee chose officers and drafted a charter that detailed its organization, mission statement, and short- and long-term operating plans. This charter was brought to the LLC Board of Directors meeting during the LLC’s 2002 Summer Services. The charter was approved, and the committee was encouraged by the LLC to initiate the work as described in the charter. How Funds are Raised Based on these initial meetings and the approval of the charter, the LLC Humanitarian Aid Committee (LLC HAC) started its formal activities of raising and disbursing funds. The HAC fundraising efforts to date have been at LLC-sponsored events such as summer and winter services, as well as local fundraising events in congregations. Some of the fundraisers held by the congregations have included bake sales, presentations, general collections, meals, and special coffee lunches. God has graciously provided for this work and the most acute needs have always been funded. These include medical needs, housing, subsistence needs, natural disaster relief, and primary schooling needs for the young. Other requests for post-secondary education and entrepreneurial grants have recently been able to be supported as well. How Funds are Used Raised funds are sent to the local humanitarian aid contacts in congregations in Ecuador, Togo, Ghana and Rwanda. A general grant is sent to the humanitarian aid contacts in these countries each quarter. These local HAC committees truly know where and how to best use the funds so that the greatest impact can be made with the resources available. These funds are used to assist in day-to-day requests in each country. In addition to these quarterly grants, money is sent to each country in either March or August to support the educational needs of the children. Additionally, money is sent to each country at Christmas to support the believers with a Christmas meal and a treat for the children. These grants have been greatly appreciated and these believers feel the love from North American Zion. The local humanitarian aid contacts have been crucial in this work. Historically the LLC HAC has, in addition to meeting urgent medical needs, also provided assistance to help entire communities. These projects have included a water pump replacement project for the La Merced community, providing running water for 64 homes in the Riobamba area of Ecuador, providing basic immunizations for the Togolese believers, supporting a small grocery cooperative in Quito, Ecuador to make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable, and to support both a trout farm and a sheep farm for some of the indigenous believers in Ecuador. These small communal farm projects were initiated to help believers support themselves and their extended communities. In recent years, due to the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact, the committee has provided supplemental food grants to the aided countries. It has also supported a water pump replacement project for the La Merced community, a storm demolished kitchen replacement and home repair as well as numerous medical requests. Make a Charitable Contribution The LLC Humanitarian Aid Committee organizes assistance efforts in Togo, Ecuador, Ghana and Rwanda, where LLC mission services are held. Laestadian Lutheran Church is a 501(c)3 organization. Contributions are accepted. Humanitarian Aid Committee Membership Current Membership of the Humanitarian Aid Committee is as follows: Kofi Agbowada Connie Byman Becca Edwards Ignace Hounwanou Brian Johnson Elisa Roiko Dara Simonson Jennifer Simonson Wendy Simonson LLC mission director Adrian Pirness supports the LLC HAC work. Contact the Humanitarian Aid Committee: Email: hac@llchurch.org

Songs and Hymns of Zion Feedback Form Use this form to submit feedback on lyrics, music or arrangements of Songs and Hymns of Zion. First name Last name Email SHZ Number Feedback Submit

2024 Winter Services Meals When Mar 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – Mar 17, 2024, 12:00 PM Where Cave Creek, 32424 N 43rd St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, USA Details

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

Death Recognition Form Death Annoucement Samples Many LLC congregations have adopted the practice of announcing deaths and singing in memory of the deceased. The LLC has developed a death notification form to provide a reliable and convenient way to share the news of an individual’s death with member congregations. The form includes relevant information about the deceased and his or her funeral. Guidelines for use: We recommend that the pastor that will officiate at the deceased’s funeral completes and submits the form or assigns someone to complete and submit the form. Once the form has been submitted it will be sent to LLC member congregations. When possible, submit the form at least one or two days before the Sunday preceding the deceased’s funeral. If that is not possible, submit the form as soon as possible following the death. Each congregation may use this information in accord with its own death notification practice. We have also included sample death announcements for reference. Death Recognition Form Full Name Age Date of Death Congregation Survivied By Brief Biographical Sketch (Optional) Funeral Date and Time Funeral Location Funeral Home Funeral Home Webpage Form submitted by Submit Thank you for submitting

Confirmation Refresher Course We are happy to announce a Confirmation School Refresher Course for Adults. This course will as noted below at the LLC office in Monticello, Minn., with online access also available to all who are interested. This course will cover Confirmation School lessons in the current curriculum. The lessons and discussions will be led by experienced Confirmation School teachers. The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for adults to gather and be refreshed in these important lessons of life and faith. It is an opportunity for adults to learn about what the current Confirmation School curriculum contains. Lessons will last approximately 1.5 hours, and coffee will be available for those gathered at the LLC office. There is a suggested course fee of $5.00 per lesson. The proceeds will cover costs of this and other work in God’s Kingdom. All lessons will be held at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. Zoom Link Schedule Past lessons are linked to the presentation upon completion. Oct. 26, 2021 Lesson 1: The Most Precious Matter In Our Lives Nov. 23, 2021 Lesson 2: God, Our Heavenly Father Jan. 25, 2022 Lesson 3: Faith, a Gift from God Jan. 24, 2023 Lesson 4: The Bible, God's Written Word Apr. 26, 2022 Lesson 5: The Sabbath Day, Keep It Holy May 24, 2022 Lesson 6: Jesus, the Word Made Flesh Sep. 27, 2022 Lesson 7: Jesus, Our Savior Oct. 25, 2022 Lesson 8: Temptation and Sin Nov. 22, 2022 Lesson 9: The Gospel, the Message of Victory Feb. 28, 2023 Lesson 10: Courtship and Marriage. He Made Them Male and Female Apr. 25, 2023 Lesson 11: The Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier May 23, 2023 Lesson 12: God's Kingdom, Our Mother Sep. 26, 2023 Lesson 13: Conscience, God's Voice In Us Oct. 24, 2023 Lesson 14: Death and Resurrection Jan. 23, 2024 Lesson 15: Heaven, Our Goal Feb. 27, 2024 Lesson 16: Grace, Unmerited Love Apr. 23, 2024 Lesson 17: Repentance, a Change of Heart May 28, 2024 Lesson 18: Prayer, Thy Will Be Done Sep. 24, 2024 Lesson 19: Baptism, a Covenant of a Good Conscience Oct. 22, 2024 Lesson 20: Confession, a Grace Privileg e Nov. 19, 2024 Lesson 21: Communion, a Meal of Remembrance Jan. 28, 2025 Lesson 22: Caring for One Another Feb. 25, 2025 Lesson 23: Music, "Sing, O People of the Lord" Apr. 22, 2025 Lesson 24: In the World, Not of the World May 27, 2025 Lesson 25: Luther and the Reformation Sep. 23, 2025 Lesson 26: Laestadian Lutheran Church Oct. 28, 2025 Lesson 27: Mission Work, Spreading the Gospel

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Hearken Hearken is the LLC Digital Publications app released in March 2022. Purchase and manage your Hearken subscription at hearken.llchurch.org . Please visit this page first to create an account and subscribe to Hearken. For a monthly fee, subscribers have full access to a broad array of digital periodicals and books, audio and video and LLC albums. Hearken was launched in March 2022 and we already have many subscribers, for which we are very thankful. Nonetheless, we occasionally hear from members wondering what Hearken is and how to access it. To provide answers to these questions, we have prepared a video to inform our member congregations about Hearken, our publications app. Subscription plans available for $12.50/month (single) or $25.00/month (family). For more information about the app, see below. Learn more and subscribe If you would like to purchase a subscription for Hearken as a gift, please purchase a gift card from our online store. Purchase a gift card for Hearken Step by Step: How to Subscribe and Download Hearken How to Log In on the Hearken App How to... How to purchase Hearken 1. Visit the website hearken.llchurch.org . All subscriptions are managed on this site. 2. Login or Sign Up 3. Purchase a plan (Single Package or Family Package) 4. Download the Hearken app using one of the app store buttons on the page. 5. Once the app has downloaded on your phone or tablet, open the app. 6. Click the user icon in the upper left corner of the app. 7. Click Log In 8. Use the same email and password that you created on the website to login to the app. 9. You are now logged into the app! Enjoy! How to use a Hearken family package 1. The administrator of the family package must first purchase the Family Package under his or her Hearken account. 1a. Visit the website hearken.llchurch.org. All subscriptions are managed on this site. 1b. Login or Sign Up 1c. Purchase a Family Package plan 1d. Take note of the Family Code. This is the code you will share with family users. 1e. Download the Hearken app using one of the app store buttons on the page. 1f. Once the app has downloaded on your phone or tablet, open the app. 1g. Click the user icon in the upper left corner of the app. 1h. Click Log In 1i. Use the same email and password that you created on the website to login to the app. 1j. You are now logged into the app as 1 of 10 available users 2. Each additional user needs to create their own account at hearken.llchurch.org 3. They will need to enter the Family Code provided by the Family Package Administrator. 4. Proceed to download the app and log in. Frequently Asked Questions How can I change my subscription from a Single Package to a Family Package? Or from a Family Package to a Single Package? 1. Visit the subscription website hearken.llchurch.org 2. Login to your account 3. Under the 'Plan Name' section, click "Cancel Subscription". 4. Make note of the date your subscription is set to expire. Once your current subscription expires, follow steps 1 and 2 above, then choose a new subscription.

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

Sister Organizations Finland SRK (Suomen Rauhanyhdistysten Keskusyhdistys) The LLC works closely with its sister organization, the SRK, with central offices in Oulu, Finland. Mutual work includes minister exchanges, language courses, Opisto folk school student exchange program, written and music publications, and foreign mission work. Sweden SFC (Sveriges Fridsföreningars Centralorganisation) The LLC works closely with its sister organization, the SFC, in Sweden. Mutual work includes minister exchanges and foreign mission work. Africa The LLC serves sister congregations in the countries of Togo and Ghana, West Africa with several mission trips annually conducted jointly with the SRK. Trips include, for example, worship services, Sunday School lessons, and confirmation camps. The Laestadian Lutheran congregations in Togo are members of the national organization, ELLT. Ecuador The LLC serves members in six locations of Ecuador with regularly scheduled mission trips. Trips include, for example, worship services, Sunday School lessons, and confirmation camps.