Eastern Mission

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Eastern Mission
Apostolic Lutheran Church of America

July 2025

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10.
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” 1 Timothy 5:17.

These few verses speak to us about the labor especially of the ministers in God’s kingdom. We have been so blessed by the labour of many others in our life and faith. May we also be reminded of the importance and responsibility of this labour in the ministry.

We have recently concluded our 117th Annual Church Convention. It causes much reflection on God’s many enduring blessings on our Christianity. We think of the many years that the word has been faithfully preached by labours in the ministry, and the many that have been able to attend and hear.

This labour is not one of self righteousness in an effort to please God by our own works, but rather this labour is a labour of love that can only come from our Heavenly Father and our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. This preaching of repentance and the Gospel is the great commission that Jesus gave to his disciples. We ask God to continually give us strength and ability to labour in His kingdom in whatever capacity and gift that we have. It is amazing to think about all the different things that go into having a service, whether that be on Sunday or even as large as the Convention. We think especially on the labour of the ministers that bring forth the word but we do not forget all of the others that have so faithfully and selflessly served in so many other ways. We ask God to move our hearts all the more in these last times that we would be the faithful labours in His Kingdon to do whatever we are called to do and that we would do it heartily. “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38.

In God’s Peace!
Mark Traffie

NEWSLETTER 2025 SCHEDULE
March - Ivan Niemela
April - Jon Salo
May - Bob Tumberg
June - Nick Kandoll
July - Mark Traffie
August - Chuck Bylkas
September - Mark Seppanen
October - TBD
November - Tyson Mattila
December - Ivan Niemela

2026 SCHEDULE
January - Jon Salo
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Contact us at:

Eastern Missionary Association
PO Box 69
Hancock, MI 49930

Chairman: Mark Traffie
Phone: (701) 580-0894
email: mtraffie@artekenterprise.com

Secretary: William Seppala
Phone: (603) 801-5103
Email: wmseppala@gmail.com

Treasurer: Pastor Ernest (Chuck) Bylkas III
Phone: (906) 281-4983
Email: cbylkas@pasty.com