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< Back December 11, 2024 Click the link below to open instructions for constructing a nativity scene. Nativity Scene Still, Still, Still Previous

< Back December 21, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a rendition of the song Bethlehem. To view the music and words of the song, click the link. Bethlehem Bethlehem Previous

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

< Back December 20, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled A Child Questions. To read the poem, click the link. A Child Questions A Child Questions Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 5: Prayer, Thy Will Be Done Objective Prayer is the speech of our heart to God; God answers according to His will and in His time Learning Outcome Create a personal prayer to God. Confirmation Exercise Questions #10. What is prayer? Prayer is the speech of the heart to God. #28. Let us together recite the Lord's Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven: Hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us: And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. #29. Let us together recite the Benediction: The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Reference Material Booklet Song: Our Father, Thou in heav’n above, / Who biddest us to dwell in love / As brethren of one family, / To cry in ev’ry need to Thee, / Teach us no thoughtless words to say, / But from our inmost heart to pray. (SHZ 168 v.1) Booklet Text: And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 6:5-15; Ps. 42:1,2; 100; 130; 150; Num. 6:24-26; Rom. 8:24-28; 34; Heb. 7:25; Exod. 17:10-13; Jer. 29:11-14; Luke 18:1-8; John 16:23-30; Acts 12:1-11; 16:25-34; Ps. 66:20; James 5:16-18 CURRICULUM Lessons 4.4, 9.11 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Students will know what prayer is and able to pray as God’s Word teaches. Students will be able to say the Lord’s Prayer, Benediction, and to understand their meaning. The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ make intercessions on our behalf. God hears our prayers but may delay in fulfilling them or give that which is more needful for us. We can approach God with any, and all our matters, both temporal and spiritual. God has promised to hear our prayers. Believers can approach God as a child does to a father. God created man in His own image and fellowship; we can speak to God and hear His speech. RESOURCES By Faith 28; Christian Doctrine 78-82 ; The Treasure Hidden in the Field, J. Uljas, p. 72-77; VZ: Jesus’ Teaching of Prayer, K. Kankkonen, Sep. 1993, page 13; The Power and Value of Prayer, Abs. Tauiainen, Jan 1996, page 12; The Bible’s Teaching on Prayer, Päivämies editorial, May 2005, page 2. LLC Website: Prayer, L. Hakso, Summer Services Ministers and Board meeting, 1998; Prayer, M. Kontkanen, Summer Services Ministers and Board meeting, 2009. Previous Next

About The Laestadian Lutheran Church takes its name from Martin Luther and Lars Levi Laestadius. The name of the reformer Martin Luther and his teachings are well known around the world. The name of Laestadius is less familiar. Lars Levi Laestadius was a Lutheran pastor who served in northern Sweden from 1825-1861. In 1844, after nine years in the ministry, Laestadius was helped into living faith by a woman names Milla Clementsdotter, a member of a group known as "Readers". Following his conversion, Laestadius's sermons were instilled with a new power, the power of the Holy Spirit. A revival movement began and soon spread far beyond the borders of Swedish Lapland. The movement reached North America with Finnish immigrants in the 1860s. Congregations were first formally organized in Cokato, Minnesota in 1872 and Calumet, Michigan in 1873. Since 1890 a number of schisms have splintered the movement on this continent. The subjects of disagreement have primarily been the understanding of justification, God's congregation, and the sacraments. The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) was organized on June 9, 1973 under the name "Association of American Laestadian Congregations" (AALC). The association changed its name in 1995 in order to better convey its spiritual heritage and the nature of its organization. Today the Laestadian Lutheran Church has over thirty member congregations in the United States and Canada. The congregations are served by over 100 ministers. The teachings of Laestadianism are based on the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Centermost among these teachings is the sermon of Jesus' suffering, death, and victorious resurrection. The work of Jesus Christ continues in this world as the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ's congregation. Thus the Laestadian Lutheran Church teaches of God's kingdom and preaches repentance and the forgiveness of sins. We hold, in accord with the Lutheran Confessions, that the Bible is the highest guide and authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and life. Position Statements The Kingdom of Heaven Our History Our Mission How We Believe Our Organization LLC Operating Plan Member Congregations Sister Organizations Kingdom of Peace Website Contact Us

< Back Confirmation Day 7: Mission Work: Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations Day 7, Lesson 1: In the World, Not of the World Objective A believer is a citizen of the Kingdom of God and this world; A believer is a light unto the world and a salt of the earth Learning Outcome Write down a few examples of how a believer lives according to God’s word in the midst of this world. Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: When evil’s power round the world is growing, / O God, oppose it with a greater might, / That we would hear it: Music overflowing / Your people’s hymn from realms of gentle light. (SHZ 540 v.4) Booklet Text: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:15,16) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 6:33; Matt. 10:16; John 3:19; 17:9-11, 14-17,19,25; 18:36,37; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Gen. 39:9; 2 Cor. 7:1; Col. 3:17; Jer. 29:7; 2 Cor. 5:9; Matt. 6:24; Matt. 5:13-16; 10:32,33; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:14-17; Matt. 18:20; 28:20; Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19 CURRICULUM Lesson 6.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS A Christian's conscience is bound to God's Word, he/she cannot always do something because, "Everyone else is doing it." A Christian wishes to live as he/she believes at home and in public and work constructively in the society in which he/she dwells. God also wishes them to fulfill His will in the various situations of social life. God wants us to confess faith in word and deed in life's situations and thus confess the Lord. Christ has promised to be with His own every day, everywhere. RESOURCES The Treasure Hidden in a Field, J. Uljas, pages 95-99 VZ: A Citizen of Heaven in the World, Bible Class Lesson, Jun. 1979, page 90 In the World, But Not of the World, M. Kamula, Jan 1982, page 3 In the World, But Not of It, Confirmation students, Sept. 2007, page 9 In the World, But Not of the World, D. Wuollet, Sep 2012, page 5 LLC Website: Love Not the World, T. Stewart, Summer Services Youth Presentation, 2009 Blessed are They that Hear the Word of God and Keep It, H. Parks, Winter Services, 2011; Be Ye Not Unequally Yoked Together with Unbelievers, R. Haapala, Winter Services, Youth Presentation, 2015 Previous Next

MISSION MISSION New work fields opened when God allowed a time of awakening in foreign countries. Shared pastorships were established to further pastoral efforts in local congregations. Services were broadcast via the internet and information was available online. A new hymnal brought new music and songs. Learn about the work of the Humanitarian Aid Committee. Read about Foreign Facilities. LLC History 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s LLC Music History More

< Back December 24, 2024 Christmas has come! We wish you and yours a blessed Christmas. Click the link below to listen to the Christmas Gospel, as recorded in Luke 2, verses 1 through 20. Christmas Gospel O Holy Night Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 4: Sexuality Issues Objective God gave sexuality for man and woman in marriage, to continue human life; The enemy of souls tempts to misuse our sexuality Learning Outcome Explain how my sexuality is a gift from God Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Master, the times are corrupt and enticing. / Grant us Your Word of instruction and blessing. / Ne’er let our hearts to this world be conforming, / That from Your kingdom not one would be drowning. (SHZ 479 v.2) Booklet Text: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.(Luke 21:36) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Genesis 38:10; Lev. 18:22; 2 Sam. 11; Prov. 7; Eccl. 1:9; Luke 5:8, 21:36; 1 Jn. 1:8,10; Rom. 1: 26,27; 3:23, 7:17; 1 Cor. 10:13; Col. 3:5,6; 2 Tim. 2:22; James 1:14,15; CURRICULUM None ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Sexuality is intended for marriage, between a husband and wife It is in marriage only that sexual life is realized with a sense of responsibility. (V to V) Believers need to be very watchful and battle against temptation Masturbation is a sin It is sin to live a gay, lesbian lifestyle Appeal to creation and genetics does not justify homosexual relations If you have personal questions and fears about sexuality, talk to a trusted believer The gospel is the power of God Discuss Dress: How we dress may arouse fleshly desires in others Attitudes towards the opposite sex Avoid physical contact that arouses the flesh Man’s glorification of the body (sex symbol) Casual dating – Sexual contact, casual sex Sins of the flesh – Masturbation, pornography, other RESOURCES LLC Website: LLC Position Statement Homosexual Behavior is Sin Victory to Victory, Sexual Life and Its Irregularities, E. Pelkonen, pages 69-74; He Created Them Male and Female, L. Värynen, Fortifying the Foundation, pages 74-75; Male and Female, At the Crossroads of Choosing, pages 37-42. Previous Next