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LLC Operating Plan The Operating Plan outlines the work for the coming year and the video summarizes and highlights material contained in the Operating Plan. Congregation members are asked to share their input and feedback with their congregation delegates. Input from the delegates will be communicated at the LLC Annual Meeting.

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

LLC 50-year Celebration Program at Summer Services LLC is turning 50 years in 2023, and in honor of this milestone there will be a celebration program at LLC Summer Services to be held in Monticello, Minn. For this program we have formed two massive choirs throughout the continent, a children’s choir and a mixed adult choir, to perform at that program. The music has been available to all who have signed up. LLC 50-year Celebration at Summer Services The celebration program in the services tent will be on Saturday, July 8, at 2:00 p.m. The call time for both choirs is at 1:00 p.m. at the big tent, to go through the songs, learn the filing process and make sound checks. Prior to this event there will be one local practice on Thursday, June 29, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Rockford Church. Everyone who is available is welcome to come practice. ​ A mass practice for the Summer Services event will be on Thursday, July 6, 8:00–9:30 p.m. at Monticello Church. ​ Dress code for the event: dress clothes, white top and black bottom. Black shoes. For women, skirt or dress pants are okay. Men should wear a black tie or bowtie. ​ The songs that will be sung at the program are: Mixed choir: Jerusalem, God’s Zion Children’s Choir: Little Children, Sing for Jesus Both choirs together: Through Ev’ry Generation, Lord I Hear Your Voice If you need access to the music or would still like to join one of these choirs, please contact Liisa at the LLC office, lkeranen@llchurch.org ​ ​ Click here for a printable pdf with this information. ​

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

< Back Confirmation Day 6: Caring For Faith Within the Congregation Day 6, Lesson 3: Communion, a Meal of Remembrance Objective Communion is a meal of remembrance that strengthens the faith of a child of God; When in faith we receive the bread and the wine, we receive the body and blood of Christ Learning Outcome Explain what communion is and its benefit for a believer. Confirmation Exercise Questions #22. What are the sacraments? Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. #25.What is the benefit of Holy Communion? Our faith is strengthened and we are reminded of Jesus’ redemption work for us. #26.Who is an acceptable Communion guest? A believer. Reference Material Booklet Song: We gather here before Your altar; / We break and eat the mutual bread. / We, as Your holy body, Master, / Give thanks to You, our gracious Head. / And when the Bread of Life is breaking, / One mind and spirit You are making. (SHZ 228 v.5) ​ Booklet Text: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:26-28) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE 1 Cor. 11:26; Luke 22:19, 20, 22; Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor.10:16; 1 Cor. 11:27-29 ​ CURRICULUM Lesson 4.3 ​ ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Holy Communion is also the feast of God's family and as such is a meal of fellowship. Student will understand how he/she should conduct him/herself at the Communion table. Student will distinguish between Communion and conversion—there is no new birth in Communion. In communion, we remember Christ’s suffering and death for our sins ​ RESOURCES ​ By Faith 26; Christian Doctrine 62; Luther’s Small Catechism Part VI; The Treasure Hidden in a Field, J. Uljas, pages 66-71. VZ: Holy Communion – The Sacrament of the Altar, J. Sturos, Apr. 1984, page 90 ; How is it Taught: Communion, J. Uljas, Oct. 1998, page 5. LLC Website: The Sacraments, M. Lohi, Summer Services Ministers and Board meeting, 2017. Previous Next

Contact Office Location and Mailing Address: 212 West 3rd Street Monticello, MN 55362 763-479-2422 info@llchurch.org General Inquiries First Name Last Name Email Message Thank you for submitting! Send Change of Address Form Question Box Birth Announcement Engagement Announcement Wedding Announcement Death Announcement Voice of Zion Ad Opisto Scholarship Program Administrative Department ARVIN PIRNESS Executive Director arvin.pirness@llchurch.org ​ ​ MARIA FREDRICKSON Receptionist, Administrative Assistant mfredrickson@llchurch.org Bookstore shipping Camp enrollment Christmas greetings contact Congregation communication Online bookstore orders ​ ELIZABETH JUNTUNEN Finance Manager ejuntunen@llchurch.org Finance & Budgeting ​ KEITH WAARANIEMI History Book Project kwaaraniemi@llchurch.org PHIL JURMU Facilities Manager pjurmu@llchurch.org Camp scheduling Christian education & support Facility use & rental LLC facilities maintenance & operations Silver Springs development Mission Department JON BLOOMQUIST Mission Director jbloomquist@llchurch.org Bible class Confirmation school Domestic mission work Foreign mission work & facilities Home & family Support & training for congregation pastors ​ ADRIAN PIRNESS Mission & Technology Director adrian.pirness@llchurch.org Bible class Confirmation school Domestic mission work Foreign mission work & facilities Home & family Support & training for congregation pastors ​ ​ Mission Work Assistant ​ Mission work scheduling Pastoral work communication Service & event scheduling Summer & Winter Services planning coordinator Communications Department MATTHEW KERANEN Communications Director mkeranen@llchurch.org Digital publications Opisto program Print publications Social media coordinator ​ ​ ​ RUTH DeLACEY Communications Assistant rdelacey@llchurch.org Bookstore congregation contact Change of address contact Opisto program Shepherd's Voice content coordinator Subscriptions management Voice of Zion content coordinator ​ SANDRA PYLVAINEN Editor spylvainen@llchurch.org Books Print & digital publications editing Shepherd's Voice Voice of Zion ​ ​ ​ LIISA KERANEN Music Coordinator lkeranen@llchurch.org Church music Music copyright Music production Music training ​ ANNETTE JOHNSON Layout Artist ajohnson@llchurch.org Overall graphic design Print publications layout Services logo & designs support Voice of Zion announcements Voice of Zion layout Website oversight ​ SHANNA PIRNESS Digital Media Specialist spirness@llchurch.org Digital publications creation & coordination Hearken app management Services programming support Shepherd's Voice layout ​ ​

Wage & Expense Form First name Last name Phone Email Select an Address Reimbursement Format Check, by mail Direct Deposit Canadians, select this option Routing Number Account Number Event Type Position Location Camp Facility Camp If "other", what is reimbursement for? Start Date End Date Eligible Wages Travel Expenses: Mileage (mileage rate: $0.47/mile) Airfare Vehicle rental Accommodations Travel Expenses Total you wish to collect (at most Wages + Travel) Additional Notes Upload PDF (if applicable) Upload PDF Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Upload Image (if applicable) Upload Image Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Submit Thanks for submitting!

< Back Confirmation Day 3: Jesus, the Son of God Day 3, Lesson 5: Courtship & Marriage, He Made Them Male and Female Objective Marriage is a life-long union ordained by God between a man and a woman - a help suitable for each other; Through marriage God fulfills His creation work according to His will Learning Outcome Explain how God established marriage for the benefit of mankind. Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: You made us for each other, God, / You gave us one another. / Oh, may our hearts abide in love / That each would serve the other. (SHZ 253 v.1) ​ Booklet Text: Charity suffereth long, and is kind (1 Cor. 13:4) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 1:26-28; 2:23,24; Exod. 20:14; Matt. 5:28; John 8:1-11; Rom. 1:22-27; 1 Cor. 6:9,15,16,18-20; 7:1,2,7-9; 10:8; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:5; 1 John 2:16; Prov. 18:22; 19:14; 31:10-12; Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 13; Eph. 5:22-33; 6:1-4; Col.3:18-21; 2; Tim. 2:22; Eph. 4:32 ​ CURRICULUM Lessons 7.3, 7.4, 9.6 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Marriage is instituted and ordained by God; this union only ends with the death of one spouse. The purpose of marriage is to receive a help “meet”, and for procreation. In God's creation man and woman are equal, although they are different. The unmarried and single state are just as worthy roles and forms of life as the married state. Understand the purpose of courtship and how a believer conducts him/herself in courtship avoiding temptation (for example, by listening to God's Word, discussing our temptations with other believers, caring for our conscience, choosing a sincerely believing group of friends, etc.) Understand what are the most important characteristics in a life's companion. Student will feel responsibility in the matters of love and courtship and understand that God forgives sins and failing in this area also. Student will recognize the outward and inward prerequisites for establishing a family. RESOURCES ​ By Faith 35; Christian Doctrine 93, 94; From Victory to Victory, p. 75-82; Luther’s Small Catechism Pastor’s Guide to Christian Weddings Christian Courtship, 1996 Outlook Summer Services – Youth Discussion D Rintamaki The Sanctity of Marriage, 1999 Detroit Summer Services, Walt Lampi The Scriptural Foundation of Marriage and Family, W. Lampi, Crossing the Current, p. 70 He Made Them Male and Female, 2006 LLC Sum. Svc. Youth Discussion K. Waaraniemi; The Treasure Hidden in the Field, J. Uljas, p. 100-106 The Beauty of Courtship, At the Crossroads of Choosing, p.55 VZ: – series of articles in February, March, April, and June 2003 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 last division occurred in 1973 and was the impetus for the establishment of the Laestadian Lutheran Church. ​ 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 highest concentrations of members are in Minnesota, Washington, Arizona, Michigan, and Saskatchewan. 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

Opisto Scholarship Program In cooperation with its sister organization, the SRK in Finland, the LLC provides 14 scholarships annually for students to attend three different cultural/folk schools called "opistos." The three schools are located in Jämsä, Ranua, and Reisjärvi, Finland. Scholarship applications are reviewed by the LLC Scholarship Selection Committee and approved by the LLC Board of Directors. Hundreds of students have participated in the program since its inception in 1982. ​ Students have benefited from Laestadian Lutheran faith-based teaching, an opportunity to study the Finnish language and culture, and learning practical topics in academics, craft and trades, and music. Member LLC congregations often participate in the support of students, and places are also available for students who pay their own way. ​ To learn more about the Opisto Scholarship Program, please contact Ruth DeLacey (rdelacey@llchurch.org ) for further details. ​ ​ Opisto W ebsites Jämsä Ranua Reisjärvi Would you like to apply for an opisto scholarship? ​ ​ ​ 1. Download the application to your own computer . 2. C hange the file name to include your first and last name. 3. Complete the application on your computer and remember to save it. 4. Email the completed application and all letters of reference to rdelacey@llchurch.org Applications are due May 15. If you have any questions about the application or the process of applying, please be in touch! rdelacey@llchurch.org Opisto Application