Living Our Mission

A Year of Invitation, Growth, and Faithful Stewardship

From the Church Council President

Over the past year, our congregation has remained deeply committed to a clear and faithful mission: cultivating a culture of invitation that welcomes all people and creates space to respond to the Holy Spirit. This commitment has been lived out through the work of our Invite Teams and the shared spirit of our church community, helping invitation become not just an idea, but a way of life. 

Invitation is more than a warm welcome—it’s about creating an environment where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged to explore their faith. Through intentional hospitality and openness, each of us plays a role in reflecting Christ’s love, whether through conversation, service, or simply showing up with grace. 

This past year has also been marked by growth as we expanded worship experiences and navigated the opportunities and responsibilities that come with a growing congregation. Behind the scenes, careful stewardship and collaborative planning have ensured that our mission remains strong and our resources are used wisely. 

None of this happens alone. It is made possible by the faith, generosity, and commitment of this congregation. As we look ahead, we remain grounded in our mission of invitation and discipleship, trusting the Holy Spirit to continue guiding us forward. Thank you for being part of this journey—it is a joy to serve alongside you. 

Worship Hosts at Peace

“No one sees them, except Jesus”

When you’re sitting in the pews during worship, it’s hard to grasp just how much of what’s happening around you takes place behind the scenes. 

Of course, we see the pastors (maybe we’d even like to see them a few minutes less sometimes)! We always see the musicians as they lead us through each service. And we notice the volunteers: ushers passing the plates and guiding movement, communion servers sharing the bread and the wine. But the group we don’t often see—the group responsible for keeping pastors, musicians, volunteers, and everything else working together—are the Worship Hosts. 

The lights? Worship Hosts. 

The screens? Worship Hosts. 

The volunteers? Worship Hosts. 

The offering? Worship Hosts. 

Communion? Worship Hosts. 

Needless to say, there isn’t much that happens in a service that hasn’t been gently and quietly coordinated by this vital role in our church. 

Judy Hilleson is the leader of the Worship Host team. She has served as a Worship Host for five years, and in addition to coordinating and training other hosts, Judy participates in the weekly worship planning meetings alongside pastors and music staff. 

As each service is discussed, Judy asks the questions that help ensure the entire ecosystem of staff and volunteers works together smoothly—so that worship can be meaningful, unhurried, and spiritually grounded. 

If you ask Judy why she serves as a Worship Host, she’ll tell you that she feels called by God to serve Peace behind the scenes. She’s aware that God is using her role to impact the lives of the hundreds of worshipers who gather at Peace each week. Through her leadership, she empowers participation, removes barriers, and enables the whole community to worship God in spirit and in truth. 

The best part? 

No one sees her, except Jesus. And everyone benefits from her faithful service.  

If Judy’s story resonates with you, God may be nudging you to consider serving in this way. As our worshiping community continues to grow—and as we feel called to create vibrant, meaningful services—we need more Worship Hosts like Judy. 

Maybe that is you. 

Take a moment to pray and ask God if your next right step might be to reach out to Judy and learn more about becoming a Worship Host. You just might discover a new calling. 

A New Season of Worship

What’s Changing This Fall—and Why

Greetings Peace congregation,  

Thank you for being part of the team on this first leg of our Expanding Worship journey! With each new step along the way, we hope you have found that our worship services continue to be welcoming, engaging, and most of all, centered on Jesus Christ and his good news.  As your pastoral team and worship staff, we are grateful for your feedback. Just as we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all of this process, we also listen carefully to what you have to share as our congregation. As always, your voices matter.

In response to your feedback, and in partnership with the vision of our Expanding Worship leadership team, we have discerned that it would be both helpful and welcoming for our congregation to return to our historic schedule of worship styles here at Peace Lutheran: Saturday traditional service (5:30pm), followed by two early Sunday traditional services (8am, 9am), and the later two Sunday modern services (10:10am, 11:15am).  

While this return to prior service styles will be a surprise for some, it is a welcome change for many. First and foremost, it offers hospitality to our abundance of volunteers and members who help to make worship happen. Our musicians, singers, worship hosts, ushers, leaders, are able to enjoy sabbath on Sunday to a much greater degree when their commitment is for two back-to-back, matching services rather than all four. Second, it invites our youngest members, including high school and college-aged students, to have a little more time to sleep in (and a lot more time to participate in worship!). Finally, it allows us for the set-up and take-down time necessary to transition between styles of worship and to set up for the sacrament of communion at every service, every week. This celebration of God’s rest, welcome, and abundance demonstrates our community values.

We know this return to service times and styles might be a change that impacts you or your family in a difficult way. Please connect with Lead Pastor Jason to share any of your questions, comments, or concerns. We truly believe this will be a faithful and helpful move for our congregation, and we want to make sure your voice and your values are included in that transition.

Stay tuned for more information, and stay connected to share your voice!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jason, Lead Pastor
Pastor Alex, Associate Pastor
The Expanding Worship Team 

Expanding Worship at Peace

A Season of Discernment and Growth

Over the past several months, Peace has been engaged in a thoughtful and prayerful process we call Expanding Worship—a multi‑year effort focused on strengthening how we gather, lead, and experience worship, both in the sanctuary and online. 

At the heart of this work is a clear conviction: worship is about people. Every voice, every seat, every age, and every way of joining matters. Whether someone is seated in the front pew, worshiping from the Gathering Place, participating online, or relying on accessibility tools, our goal is to remove barriers so the Word of God can be heard clearly and worship can be fully shared by all. 

Building the Team and Clarifying the Vision 

Early in the year, Peace welcomed a Director of Modern Worship and Production, who is already working alongside staff and volunteers to shape modern worship and assess our current audio, video, and lighting systems. At the same time, the Expanding Worship Team has been working closely with Church Council, the Stewardship Team, and staff to ensure that discernment and planning are grounded in careful stewardship and shared leadership. 

As conversations turned toward audio specifically, the team asked a foundational question: What should worship sound like? The answer was consistent—worship should be intelligible, balanced, accessible, and consistent throughout the room, while also being flexible enough to support both traditional and modern services and a growing online congregation. 

Learning from Experience—Especially Easter 

Holy Week and Easter offered a powerful snapshot of both the beauty of worship at Peace and the limits of our current systems. Nearly 3,200 people worshiped across five services, supported by almost 90 musicians—a visual and audible testament to the depth of gifts within the congregation. 

At the same time, Easter served as an honest “stress test.” While in‑person worship was vibrant and full, many online worshipers experienced muffled audio and dim or shadowed video that didn’t reflect what was happening in the sanctuary. Inside the room, sound varied depending on where someone sat, ensembles relied heavily on shared microphones, and musicians had no way to monitor themselves—all signs of a system stretched beyond what it was designed to support. 

Lighting challenges also became clear during services like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, where light carries much of the theology. Our current lighting allows broad changes but lacks the ability to focus intentionally on particular spaces or moments, especially for online worshipers. 

And many who worshiped from overflow spaces during Christmas and Easter did so using borrowed equipment—a reminder that while overflow worship is possible, it may not always reflect the hospitality and excellence we strive to offer guests and members alike. 

Exploring the Building—and the Future 

Looking ahead to fall, Pastor Jason has been meeting with groups of Peace members to discuss possible adjustments to worship service times—including the possibility of celebrating Holy Communion at every weekend service, supporting volunteers more sustainably, and shaping worship that better reaches youth and young adults not yet connected to Peace. 

Moving Forward Together 

This work remains in a season of exploration. No final decisions have been made, and the team remains mindful of financial realities, visual impact, volunteer capacity, and long‑term sustainability. What is clear, however, is that Expanding Worship is not about technology for its own sake. It is about faithfulness, hospitality, and making room for every person God is drawing into worship—in person and online. 

As estimates continue to come in this spring, Church Council and the Stewardship Team will review options together this summer. And as the work continues, the congregation will keep hearing updates and invitations to participate through prayer, conversation, and generosity. 

Peace is deeply grateful for a community that takes worship seriously and cares about how we gather—now, and for the generations to come. 

Stronger Together

How a Small Idea at Peace Grew Into a City-Wide Ministry of Service

In 2008-09, Peace member Jackie Bailey joined with others from our congregation to start up the outreach distribution that would become known as Necessities for Neighbors. Along with Holly Marty, Pat Eidsness, and several other devoted Peacemakers, Jackie  wanted to respond to the many needs of our neighbors in local Sioux Falls with the love and generosity of Jesus Christ.  

“We wanted to team up as one big community,” Jackie said. “There is so much more that we can do when we work together. We can make a better impact when we collaborate.”  

And collaboration is exactly where the Spirit was headed. Today, more than 13 Lutheran congregations have teamed up to share in Charis Ministry Partners, the umbrella ministry that includes both Necessities for Neighbors (hosted at Peace Lutheran and First Lutheran), as well as an additional ministry focused specifically on groceries called Food to You.  

“My daughter is a social worker,” Jackie said. “She was able to work with clients and other community members to put together a list of items that were needed most. Necessities began to focus on hygiene and other daily essentials. Food to You took on the groceries. At the time, we also supported a transportation ministry with Project Car, which has since grown its own ministry.”  

Today, people from across Sioux Falls can find weekly support for nutrition (Thursdays at different churches) and monthly support for critical household objects (first Sundays at Peace, third Tuesdays at First). All of it comes in the name of Jesus, as a way of sharing God’s love and dignity with our community.  

“We began with a small committee,” Jackie said, “and in partnership with our confirmation students. Holly helped us connect this outreach with the youth, and it just kept growing. Eventually Necessities became a ministry for all ages at Peace, and then, Christians all over the city.”  

Now, Charis Ministry Partners works not only with Lutheran churches, but with ecumenical partners from a variety of Christian backgrounds, as well as some local non-profit and charitable giving businesses. A little passion, a lot of teamwork, and the power of the Spirit made it all come together.  

“All you need is a giver’s heart,” Jackie says to anyone who might be interested. “You can join us as an individual or as a family. You can make it a one-time helping event or a monthly commitment. The choice is totally up to each person. It’s easier to share your time, resources, and finances when we all work together as the church.”  

Jackie invites anyone curious to come and check out the ministry. Although she recently retired from Charis leadership positions, she is still actively involved in volunteering, prayer, and supporting the ministry in different ways. According to Jackie, everyone has a gift they can share.  

“I felt called to serve in outreach ministry when I heard stories from my daughter who worked at the Department of Social Services. There were so many anonymous requests for certain kinds of support. When you hear a need, and recognize the importance of that need, then you start feeling your calling.”  

If you are open to checking out Necessities for Neighbors, or any other social outreach and service ministry at Peace, please connect with Pastor Alex (pastoralex@peacelutheran.com). There are so many different ways to participate, and, just like Jackie, we would LOVE to have you share your gifts, too!

Stephen Ministry at Peace

A Story of Showing Up

By Pr. Renae Boehmer, former Peace pastor and huge advocate of the Stephen Ministry program

For those of you who don’t know me, I should tell you I have been part of Peace Lutheran Church since 1994—first as a young mom and volunteer, then as Director of Children’s Ministries, and eventually as a pastoral intern and pastor. Peace has been the place where my faith has grown up right alongside my life.

About ten years before seminary, I served as a Befriender here at Peace. I was a lay person, trained to visit members walking through hard seasons—grief, job loss, family struggles, mental health challenges. I loved that ministry. It was simple and holy: show up, listen well, remind someone they are not alone. Over time, as leadership changed, the program ebbed—but I always sensed that Peace had the heart for this kind of care.

In early 2016, I attended an informational meeting at Our Savior’s about Stephen Ministry. It felt familiar—like Befrienders, but deeper and more structured. I brought materials back to my desk. They sat there quietly, nudging me.

That fall, when I officially began my internship, I was told I would need to complete a major project—one that mobilized lay people in ministry and addressed real needs in the community. I knew immediately what it would be.

We announced an informational meeting in the bulletin, and when that evening arrived, the conference room was overflowing. One person said, “I’ve been hoping for exactly this.” Many signed up on the spot. I walked out knowing: this will happen at Peace.

Robyn Hanisch was there that night. Soon after, Marcy Midtaune joined the team. Before long, the three of us were on a plane to Orange County, California, to become Peace’s first trained Stephen Leaders. We learned, we dreamed, we planned. (Yes, there was a delightful dinner at Disneyland and more than one stop at Häagen-Dazs—but mostly, there was a growing sense that something beautiful was beginning.)

In the fall of 2017, we launched our first Stephen Ministry training class. Week after week, a room full of eager participants gathered to learn how to listen deeply, maintain confidentiality, and walk faithfully beside those in crisis. Since then, many more have been trained, leaders have been added, and numerous caring relationships—what we call “matches”—have been formed.

But the real story isn’t in the numbers.

The real story is in hospice hallways, where Stephen Ministers have sat quietly beside a hospital bed. It’s in the hugs at funerals—hugs that feel like family because over months of weekly visits, that’s what they have become. It’s in the steady companionship offered to someone whose memory was fading, who had to give up driving and leave a beloved home. When everything else in his world changed, one thing did not: someone kept showing up. Week after week after week.

Scripture tells us, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Stephen Ministry is, in many ways, a living echo of that promise. Through the faithfulness of ordinary people, God’s steadfast love takes on flesh. It shows up in living rooms and hospital rooms. It listens. It prays. It stays.

To all who have supported this ministry—through prayer, participation, leadership, referrals, or encouragement—thank you. This ministry has been a profound blessing not only to those receiving care, but also to those offering it. And it has been a deep gift to me personally to watch Peace live into this calling.

If you feel even the smallest nudge as you read this—pay attention. Perhaps you are being invited to become a Stephen Minister. Perhaps you know someone who could benefit from a Stephen Minister’s care. Perhaps you simply want to learn more.

This is what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world today: steady, compassionate, faithful presence.

And at Peace, that is exactly who we are becoming—together.

Women of Peace

Meet the WELCA Members – Serving Our Congregation and Community

A new slate of officers was installed this past December for Peace’s chapter of WELCA (Women of the ELCA). The new officers include Arelene Sorensen (President), Betty Fokken (Vice-President), Maggie Schmidt (Secretary), Millie Horter (Treasurer), and Deb Patzlaff (Director of Stewardship). 

As a member of Peace Lutheran Church, women automatically are part of the WELCA organization. But what is WELCA and what do they do? At Peace, the mission is mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. But more specifically, at Peace it includes: 

Study – the Ruth/Hanna Circle meets every third Thursday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study using the Gather Magazine (which is produced by WELCA).

Outreach/Service/Spiritual Care

• Quilters meet the first and second Thursdays of each month at 9 a.m. to knot quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other outreach groups. 

• Prayer Shawl ministry meets the third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. to knit or crochet prayer shawls for members and the community going through challenging times. 

• Groups gather periodically to make bandages, school kits, baby care kits, personal care kits, and fabric kits for Lutheran World Relief and other organizations. 

• Peace Angels help at Pettigrew Elementary each Thursday, 8:30-10:30 a.m., assisting teachers in preparing classroom materials. 

• WELCA volunteers host funeral lunches and receptions. Members help direct funds received during the two special offerings received to local and area organizations meeting the needs of our members and community. 

Community Life – WELCA hosts spring, fall, Advent, and Christmas events that each feature a program and entertainment, as well as a meal or desserts.

When asked why she was involved, Arelene Sorensen replied, “I’m a member of Peace; it’s my home. I want to do what I can to further the mission of our church. And just as Jesus love us, he invites us to love and care for others as well. This is one of the ways I do that.” 

How can you get involved? Simply attend one of the regularly scheduled activities here at Peace, contact one of the WELCA officers listed at the beginning of this story, check out the Discover Peace Magazine, or contact the church office. 

He Made a Way

– Addie Warnke

I have grown up going to Peace. I love the community, the congregation, and especially the youth. I grew up going to Wednesday school, then confirmation, and now I go to youth group every Wednesday. I’ve taught Sunday School the last four years and VBS a couple years as well, but I didn’t start going to Youth Group until this year, my senior year of high school.  

Growing up, I never cared much about my faith or how it should play out in my life. Jesus was just someone that I thought about during Christmas and Easter time. This was, until He encountered me my freshman year, when I was at what I would say has been the lowest point of my life so far. I was depressed, anxious, and lonely. I needed someone, and that someone was Jesus. He came into my life and completely changed everything. I went from being sad, mean, and insecure; into a happy, kind, and confident girl. He gave me eyes to see myself and the world in a new way.  

Over the past four years I have been on my faith journey. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but what I have learned is that Jesus always remains faithful. He is meant to be in our everyday lives, and it is important that we make Him a priority!  

While we talk about God’s faithfulness, let’s talk about what He’s done in the past year at Peace. Last year at this time I had been to maybe three youth events in my three years of high school. By God’s faithfulness, Peace received a grant that went towards a Faith Formation Co-Op to help our youth at Peace. This presented an opportunity to have a Youth Council, which I was asked to be a part of.  

This Youth Council has not only done so much for our youth this year, but it has also given me so many new friendships and opportunities. I have given two messages this year at Youth Group, which have helped me grow in my faith so much. It was such a fun journey of discernment and growth, not only because I had to be willing to listen to what God had to say and what He wanted me to share, but I had to stand up in front of about 50 kids my age and 10 adults, and tell them about what God has done in my life and what He’s teaching me.

In everything, God’s faithfulness is so evident. He helped calm my nerves when I spoke, He gave us an opportunity to advance our youth at Peace, and most of all, when I thought there was no way, He made a way and transformed my life. From the bottom of my heart, thank You Jesus, and thank you to this congregation who has never failed to help Peace Youth! 

Rooted in Community: Growing in Faith

– Lori Ollerich

I joined Peace Lutheran not long after graduating from SDSU and moving to Sioux Falls. I didn’t know many people yet, but at a new member potluck, I discovered Peace had a co-ed recreational softball team—so I signed up, met some familiar faces, and the rest, as they say, is history. My husband Ryan started joining me for services regularly, and as our family grew, so did our involvement. What began with a “mommy and me” playgroup eventually led to deep roots in the Children’s and Family Ministries programs—and some of the most meaningful friendships of our lives. 

Today, our three kids—Erika, Landon, and Micah—have each found their place here. All three have participated in Sunday and Wednesday school, Vacation Bible School, youth choir, summer musical camps, and Christmas programs. Erika and Landon have also played youth hand chimes and bells, and Ryan and I have both served as Sunday and Wednesday school teachers. Ryan currently leads a small group confirmation class. Our kids even attended daycare and preschool at Peace, so there was a season of life when we were here six days a week. Honestly, it still feels like our home away from home. 

One moment stands out above the rest. During the 2023 Christmas program prelude, all three of our kids got to participate together for the very first time. Erika and Landon performed a piano duet while Micah—our second grader—added triangle percussion. Given the gap in their ages, it was the first time they had all taken part in the same activity at Peace simultaneously. As a mom, watching that happen was something I’ll never forget. 

We’ve also been part of the “Families Flourishing in Faith” Sunday school program, where families gathered together for Bible-themed crafts, stories, and activities. Doing that as a whole family unit—not just dropping kids off—made faith formation feel like something we shared, not something we outsourced. 

That’s really at the heart of why we stay so involved. Being part of these programs keeps our family actively connected to God and to our church community. When Ryan and I serve—especially alongside kids and youth—it reminds us to live out our beliefs, not just talk about them. Music, in particular, gives our kids a joyful, expressive way to worship. Together, these experiences strengthen our values and help us model a faith-filled life for our children. 

If I could say one thing to someone considering getting involved, it would be this: it doesn’t require perfection—just willingness. Our lives are busy. We aren’t perfect. But we show up, and that matters. When your whole family participates—and ours includes Grandma Arlene, too—it sends a message that church isn’t just something you attend on Sunday mornings. It’s something you belong to. 

There’s a real joy that comes from serving: building relationships, mentoring younger kids, using music as worship. I hope that when others see our family engaged across so many different programs and events, involvement starts to feel more approachable. If our story can be the spark that encourages even one person to step in, try something new, and discover how serving deepens their own faith—that would mean everything to us. 

We found our community here at Peace one softball signup at a time. You might find yours in ways you’d never expect, too. 

Mary Deville: Sharing Our Musical Talents

My earliest memory of attending PLC was in my college days at Augie in the early 90s. Having grown up in a large, traditional church with stained-glass windows, gothic arches, and a massive pipe organ, the contemporary design and energetic pastor [Paul] were all things that intrigued me! Later that decade after moving to the west side of Sioux Falls and having a family of my own, I was drawn back here.

Initially I joined the choir, but shortly thereafter I started playing violin for various groups, and that has continued to be one of my favorite things to do here. From solos to large groups, I have made many friends along the way.

Since string music lends itself well to the contemplative sounds of Advent and Lent, I was one of the lucky ones who got to play for our first livestreamed service in the spring of 2020 (Covid years). On the flip side, the loud and lively music we play for Mariachi Sunday is always such a treat and welcome change of pace!

Not only do I love the challenge of learning new songs for worship, but I love the feedback I get from other congregation members. Hearing about the impact that the music had on them personally, whether it was soothing or perhaps just the thing they needed to hear that day, is what makes me feel like I’m making a difference.

One of my earliest childhood memories was learning about faith through Sunday School songs. Who can forget such classics like “I’ve got the Joy Joy Joy” or “This Little Light of Mine”? Music has always been a huge part of my personal faith journey, and I feel we are truly so fortunate to have such a strong program here with so many different ways for people to share their musical talents.

WELCA Outreach: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

When it comes to outreach at Peace, nobody does it quite as faithfully as our WELCA family.

“Teamwork makes the dream work!” several members said while rolling bandages, tying quilts, sorting hand-knitted hats, and packing hygiene kits. “There is always something for us to do,” Deb Patzlaff said. “Being involved in this church is so special. Our members are so giving and caring. Just look at the women here: everybody is doing something! Busy hands and good hearts.”

Deb shared some of the great ways that WELCA is serving our community at the moment.

In teamwork with the congregation at St. Dysmas (South Dakota State Penitentiary), our WELCA crew has been spreading love from the East to the West side of Sioux Falls. Starting at the end of October and continuing today, WELCA joined with members from the prison to share handmade hats with a wide variety of our schools, our veterans, and our local charities. In just these past few months, WELCA has distributed 427 caps across town to locations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans), McCrossan’s Boys Ranch, the Ronald McDonald House, and middle schools including Axtell, George McGovern, and Edison.

Arlene Sorensen got the team together as a way to share warmth with our neighbors in need. Members of the St. Dysmas congregation make the hats, and WELCA distributes them to anyone who is in need. Deb even finds daily opportunities inside and outside church!

“My husband and I were at Avera for a medical appointment. Our driver said his ears were cold, so I offered him a hat. He chose one of the hats from our boxes and put it right on his head. The next time we saw him parking cars, he was wearing the hat! What a blessing!”

Along with the hats, WELCA has shared 39 pairs of mittens, 36 quilts, and countless other blessings to help those in need.

“People are so grateful. We have seen tears of gratitude from teachers, principles, and other community workers. We even hear words like ‘God bless you!’ from our neighbors. It’s so good to help out wherever we can.”

But it doesn’t end there. WELCA hosts regular outreach ministries all year long! Every woman from the church, no matter her age or ability level, is invited to participate in the following ministries: Funeral Committee (baking, serving, cleaning), Prayer Chain (email group), Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting or crocheting shawls), Friends of the Library (organizing materials), Peace quilters (matching pieces, sewing, tying quilts, cutting bandages), Peace Meals (prepping frozen meals and donating canned goods), Peace Angels (volunteering at local elementary schools), and Altar Guild (preparing and setting up communion, caring for vestments, vessels, and linens). Along with these services, WELCA offers fellowship gatherings in small groups and studies.

To participate in outreach with WELCA, please contact the new president, Arlene Sorensen, or the church office for more information.

Stephen Ministry at Peace

Peace Lutheran has a long history of providing care and support through the Stephen Ministry program. Even though Stephen Ministry has been around for many years, many people are not aware of what Stephen Ministry is. This is perhaps because so much of the work of Stephen Ministers happens behind the scenes.

Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers who provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through difficult times in life, providing hope and healing amid their pain. One good way to describe Stephen Ministry is the “after people.”

Stephen Ministers are There

...after the phone call in the middle of the night that changes life forever

...after the baby comes home, demanding more of her than she ever imagined possible

... after the funeral when everyone has left and his emotions held at bay come crashing in

...after the email announcing a new round of layoffs suddenly appears in her inbox

... after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else we can do”

... after the youngest child pulls out of the hug and heads into the dorm—followed by a long drive back to an empty house

...after the retirement community director says, “Welcome to your new home”

...after the divorce papers are served and she wonders if she’ll ever trust anyone again

...after family and friends have heard his story one too many times, but he still needs to talk it out

Through Stephen Ministry, Peace Lutheran has a team of people who are there to provide faithful care and support during the “afters” in life. If you need someone to walk with you in one of these “afters,” please contact the church office to get connected with a caring Stephen Minister.

And if you have gifts of compassion, listening, and providing care, we’d love to talk with you more about becoming a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministry is such an impactful way to share our gifts and care for others.

This year, we celebrate ten great years of partnership with our Stephen Ministers at Peace Lutheran! We are so proud of these outstanding, trained leaders of faith and all that they do. Peace currently has 11 certified Stephen Ministers who are actively caring for and receiving matches. We also have six Stephen Ministers currently on break (thank you for your service!) and four devoted Stephen Leaders (Robyn Hanisch, Cara Hetland, Lisa Fowler, Pam Tetzlaff), as well as two pastors (Alex, Elizabeth). More than 30 faithful students have been through our program in the past ten years, and we hope to see many more.

A new training class is starting in January. Sign up today at plc.life.

Shirley Skoglund: Forum, Wednesday Study, Senior Game Day, Senior Potlucks

Someone once told me, “Life is like a piano; what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” In a sense, being a member of a congregation is like that. As you put something into it of yourself, you gain so much in return.

Having been a member since 2014, I’ve found a variety of ways to connect. Two of the studies, Forum and the Wednesday Bible Study, have allowed me to explore Scripture more deeply while connecting with and caring for those around the table. It’s a great opportunity to deepen my faith with others on a similar journey. With the monthly Senior Potlucks, we hear from a wide variety of speakers and authors, enjoy concerts and picnics, all while enjoying some home cooking and baking and the fellowship of others. And with Senior Game Day that meets two to three times per month, we enjoy the challenge of a good card or board game while connecting with others for some time of fellowship.

You can also be part of the ministries at Peace from your own home. I’ve helped roll bandages for WELCA at home as I watched TV and baked cookies once a month for Church on the Street. Even though my work happens at home, I know Peace will use these items to reach out to the many unknown faces that are in need of a touch of God’s amazing love.

I didn’t know what I was missing until I took the leap of faith and got involved with these activities. Whether you are looking for a study, a gathering around a special interest like crafts or games, volunteering, or are in need of some spiritual care, Peace can help you get connected. Not only will your faith journey expand, but your faith community will grow as you connect with others who share similar interests. Find something that peaks your interest and take the next step!

Amy Dreke: 25 Years of Youth Ministry

I have been working with the Youth at Peace for over 25 years. Why, you ask? Because I feel called to spend time with them—growing their faith, listening to their hopes and dreams, and being a sounding board when the world gets hard.

I moved often during my own high school years and never really had the chance to be part of a large youth group. I never attended a youth gathering or went on a mission trip as a teen, so as an adult I wanted to experience these things while also walking alongside high school students. It’s a wonderful contrast to my daily work as an elementary teacher.

Seeing the growth that happens during high school—watching our youth navigate an ever-changing world—makes every moment with them special. Life is demanding enough with school, sports, extracurriculars, and home, so being a “safe place to land” is deeply important to me.

Over the years, I’ve led trips to many cities for youth gatherings, mission work, and countless other adventures. I’ve worked with hundreds of high school students, some of whom have become very special people in my life, and we remain in touch today. A few have even grown up, gotten married, had children, and returned to Peace to raise their own families. Seeing them all grown up makes every long bus ride, every challenging attitude, and every tough moment absolutely worth it.

Having my own children be part of Peace Youth—both in middle school and high school—has given me a fresh perspective on our ministry. Times are changing, and helping mentor the students on the Peace Youth Council this year has truly been a joy. Their creativity, energy, and vision for re-imagining our youth group have been inspiring to watch. I love being part of their ideas, seeing how they work together, and watching them create a space where everyone feels welcome and invited.

These formative years are so important in shaping who our youth will become. By offering grace and love, guiding them while also giving them room to make mistakes, we help them grow into the adults they are meant to be. I couldn’t ask for a better seat to witness their growth and to see how they encounter Jesus in so many ways. I love these kids deeply, and I know our future is in good hands because of them.

The support our congregation gives—to our whole church, and especially to our youth—ensures that Peace will stay strong for years to come. Thank you, Peace, for allowing me to do this for so long. It has truly been a blessing in my life.

Shelly Gabel: PACT Teacher

I have been a member of Peace Lutheran Church for many years. My family moved to Sioux Falls in 1972, and we joined the church shortly after. Back then, the church was just getting started. I remember the building being very small, unlike what it is today. It had one big room where we had both church and Sunday School. My family and I would attend the church service first, and then we would have Sunday School. After the service, everyone would fold up their folding chairs and pull out the accordion walls to make small classrooms for Sunday School. I can honestly say the church has come a long way since then.

During the summers, my brother and I also participated in Bible School. As I got older, I attended confirmation classes and became actively involved in the youth group program. I enjoyed making new friends and participating in activities that youth group had to offer. My fondest memory was traveling to the East Coast in the church bus for two weeks with 23 other kids and chaperones. Looking back, I feel the youth group program truly set a tone for my involvement at church.

After high school, I moved away to attend college and then later to New Mexico for my first job. Even though I was not living in Sioux Falls for many years, I always came home and attended church at Peace with my family. Peace Lutheran is and will always be “my church”!

In 2002, I moved back to Sioux Falls and was later blessed with my son, Dakota, in 2003. Ever since he was a baby, we attended church weekly as a family with my mom and dad. As he got a little older, I wanted him to love Peace Lutheran as much as I do. I wanted him to know God and Jesus and all of the amazing things they have done for us. I wanted him to hear and learn the wonderful stories of the Bible, so I got him involved in activities as soon as he was able.

When Dakota was about one and a half years old, I heard about a new program starting at Peace called PACT—Parent and Child Together. I figured this would be a great way for him to start learning about the stories of the Bible and hang out with other children his age. Plus, I got to be with him through his first step in his faith journey! Together we had a lot of fun singing and listening to stories. Through PACT, I was also able to connect and meet other parents in the class,which was a bonus!

After two years of attending PACT with Dakota, I was asked to volunteer and teach the class. Originally, I started by team teaching with Ms. Sara, who actually was the person who brought the idea of this program to Peace. We alternated teaching the class every other week. After a couple years, I took over the PACT Program…and the rest is history!

I have now been teaching PACT at Peace for 18 years, with the exception of one year due to the pandemic. We started with just one class time on Sundays, growing to now three classes—two on Sunday and one on Wednesday nights.

I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity. PACT has given me the chance to use my education degree to teach little ones about God’s love for them and share his stories. It has been exciting to watch these children come into class as 1, 2, and 3 year olds and seeing them as young adults now. Some of my former students even come back to visit. The last 18 years have been very memorable!

If you have little ones, I want to invite you to check out our class. For those of you who are on the fence about joining a program or volunteering…take the leap!