A Library for the Whole Family

From board books to Bible study, there’s something here for every reader

Step into the library this fall and you’ll notice a few changes—we’re adding comfortable seating and building a cozy atmosphere for our Second Sunday Coffee Corner, made possible by generous donations from members like you. A huge thank-you to our library volunteers, too, who keep the space organized, clean, and ready to help you, your family, or your group find exactly what you need. 

Calling all young families! We have SO MANY board books to borrow, perfect for encouraging your little ones to love reading—and to love Jesus. Introducing them to Bible stories early helps build a foundation they’ll carry as they grow, and it’s a simple, meaningful way to share your faith with them. As they get older, we have beginning reader books, picture books, and a wide selection of children’s Bibles to keep them exploring, so they’re ready for deeper study in middle school, high school, and beyond. 

With over 6,000 books available to anyone who fills out a registration card, Peace Lutheran Library is God’s library—a place to find resources for wherever you are in your faith journey. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just ask. With God’s help, we can most likely get it for you. 

Library Hours: 

Sundays 9-11 a.m.
Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. 

Our catalog is always available online under the Get Involved tab on the church website. Check us out today! 

– June Gillespie, Library Coordinator 

Welcome, Pastor Kyle

Peace’s new Pastor of Spiritual Care & Discover Peace introduces his family and his hopes for ministry together

Dear People of Peace, 

Greetings and grace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 

It is with gratitude and excitement that I begin my call serving your congregation as Pastor of Spiritual Care & Discover Peace. I am so grateful to God and to the leadership of your congregation for the discerning conversations we had during the call process and for the work of the Spirit that has led us all to this moment. God is good. 

Along with my many gifts and passion for this ministry, I’m grateful to bring along my family and ministry partners. My wife, Ånna, and our sons Odin (11), a 5th Grader, Espen (8), a 2nd Grader, and Magnus (5), in Junior Kindergarten. They are so excited to meet you all and share in life and ministry together! We also have a friendly furry golden retriever. 

Although we are still relatively new to South Dakota, we have thoroughly enjoyed our life and ministry in the Sioux Falls area these past three years. We stay active outside of church ministry with various youth sports and spending time with friends and family. We love the outdoors and will spend much of the day outside if the variable South Dakota weather allows! 

We also have been busy in the world of advocacy work within the State and country for people with disabilities. When our son, Magnus, was born with Down Syndrome, our eyes were opened to the many ways people with disabilities and others living on the margins of society live every day. This is another reason why we are so excited to be joining the Peace community, because of how inclusive and intentional you are about ministry and life as the body of Christ. Please consider joining us for the Buddy Walk on October 3rd! More details to come! 

And please be sure to reach out for a time to visit over my first few months so we can get to know one another. I love a good cup of coffee (even if you don’t), or going for a walk or playing a round of golf, so let’s meet up! Let us join in giving glory to God in the memories and ministry we make together. 

With Gratitude,
Pastor Kyle 

In Sioux Falls as it is in Heaven

Time, talent, and treasure—simple ways to join God’s mission this fall

“In Sioux Falls as it is in Heaven.”

This fall, we are praying that the Holy Spirit would once again gather this community to God’s mission for this city. The pages of this magazine capture only some of the ways God is using this church to bless Sioux Falls.

As you read each listing and take in each picture, our hope is that you’ll sense all the resources God has already gathered into Peace—

The time given every Sunday morning to open doors and share hospitality with our guests.

The talent on display each time our choirs and instrumentalists lead the congregation in worship.

The treasure that provides for this beautiful gathering place.

Making Sioux Falls a little more like heaven will require more than treasure. Here are some simple steps to give to the mission of Peace in Sioux Falls:

Contact Information: Help us accompany you in mission by updating your family’s contact information and photos. You can do so in the Church Center app or at plc.life.

Time and Talent Form: The time and talent form will guide Peace in providing you and your family with invitations to missions that match your preferences. Pick up a hard copy on the Info Wall, or fill it out digitally in the Church Center app or at plc.life.

Giving Information: Fill out your 2027 pledge card and place it in the offering baskets, or fill it out online at peacelutheran.com/pledge.

Our invitation into mission this fall goes beyond forms—it includes a number of meaningful experiences we don’t want you to miss.

Harvest Festival
Sunday, Oct 25 • 4pm-6pm

Fellowship Hall, Gym, Sanctuary 

Learn how resources were used in 2026 and explore the vision for 2027. 

Pledge Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 21-22
All services

Sanctuary

Return your 2027 pledge card during worship.

Room to Grow, Room to Lead

Adam Hatle on watching Peace shape his life—and now his kids’

Hi, I’m Adam Hatle. I’ve been telling this story for years, and it finally seemed time to write it down—to share how Peace Lutheran has shaped my life and the way I think about serving the church today.

My family moved to Sioux Falls when I was about 6 months old and found Peace Lutheran. It was a thriving place for young families, and we fit right in. My mom taught Sunday school and my dad always helped as an usher. My parents showed me that church isn’t just about sitting in the pew—it’s about getting involved and connecting with people.

What I remember most is how natural it felt to be known at Peace. There were teachers, youth leaders, musicians, and pastors who just kept showing up year after year. Because of them, the church felt like more than a building—it felt like a place where young people were expected to belong.

I followed my older sister into Confirmation and youth group, and was involved in the children’s choirs. I went to the national youth gathering in St. Louis and still have memories from that experience. In high school, my interest in technology connected with church in a new way—a few of us set up the new youth room with donated equipment, and I found old audio gear in the fellowship hall and got it working again.

Peace also had a portable sound system we used for outdoor worship. A friend and I borrowed it for a couple of school events and realized we loved creating experiences with music. That eventually led us to buy our own equipment and start a business in high school. Even at college at SDSU, I still had events in Sioux Falls on weekends, so I never really left Peace behind.

I met my future wife in college, and she started coming to church with me. After college, we got married at Peace, moved back to Sioux Falls, and continued to call Peace our church home—and I found myself learning what it meant to belong here as an adult, a husband, and eventually a parent.

Music was one of the first places I found I had something to give back. I joined the Peace Brass and choir, and later started filling in with the praise band—I’ve been helping lead worship ever since. I’ve also served on the building committee, pastor call committees, and as President of the Church Council, which helped me see how much work happens behind the scenes to keep a congregation healthy.

As my kids have come up through the youth program, I’ve found myself focusing more on their experience. I’ve been a small group leader in confirmation, and when Wednesday nights shifted to include music and worship, I brought in sound and lighting equipment from my business to help create a more immersive space. Now we’re starting to involve the kids themselves as singers and technicians.

I went to New Orleans for the national youth gathering with my daughter, and I’m planning Minneapolis next year with my son. It’s rewarding to see my kids have the same kind of experience I had in high school. As I look back, I can see how Peace has shaped every season of my life—preschool, youth group, marriage, parenthood, leadership, and worship. The same church that gave me room to grow is now giving the next generation room to lead, serve, sing, run sound, and discover their own faith. A church becomes strongest when people of every age understand it belongs to all of us.

Give Hope, Be Hope

Kristen Rhoades and fellow volunteers support foster children through The Foster Network

During his mission and ministry of healing, Jesus invites his disciples to care for the orphans, the widows, and all who are most vulnerable in our world. And for Peace member Kristen Rhoades, this is what motivates her and fellow volunteers to support children through the foster care system at The Foster Network here in Sioux Falls.  

“Each one of us can make a difference in the lives of these young people,” she shared. The Holy Spirit gives us all kinds of different ways. Some of us are called to be foster parents. For others, we can support foster families with financial support or donations of needed items. There are so many ways you can help share the love of Jesus with children in need.  

Jesus’ words inspire Kristen and other volunteers to share their time, effort, and compassion with this local ministry. The Foster Network is a nonprofit organization that helps children on what Kristen calls “the most difficult day of their lives,” providing them with essential items such as clothing, shoes, bedding, and school supplies during the abrupt transition into foster care.  

“Nobody wants to go through that kind of moment,” she said. “But, we can help to make it more gentle, more safe, and more supportive. Not just on those days but going forward in life. We want to help kids and families thrive.”  

Kristen works on a team with the motto “give hope, be hope.” Their location on Cliff Avenue provides all sorts of supplies and networking for children and families in foster care and is always eager to welcome volunteers, item drives, and donations from their most-needed wish list.  

“We have lots of volunteer opportunities,” Kristen said, “including family, evening, and park opportunities. Sometimes it is just kids coming and playing with other kids so adults can visit for a bit. That’s such a blessing! We are also open into the evening on Tuesdays and Thursdays, including during the confirmation school year. Volunteers can help with hanging, organizing, moving boxes, and more.” 

The mission of The Foster Network is “to empower and support families who are for children placed through a licensing agency,” with the ultimate goal of “helping families to keep saying YES, and feel connected to a community, to prevent foster parent burnout.” Kristen shared that their closet is the biggest outreach, but there are events growing as community partnerships develop. It is the connections with others, such as churches like Peace, that make all the difference.  

According to Kristen, between just January and April 2026, the total visits to The Foster Network included 797, with 201 new placements, 726 unique visitors, and 15,692 items distributed. The need is growing, including for foster families themselves, as the decline continues to grow.  

“I would love to get this mission on the radar of Peace members,” Kristen said. “We are not all called to be foster parents, and that’s okay. As Christians, we can ALL find a way to support those who are called to do that.”  

Want to know more? Open to volunteering with your small group, Faith Formation, or other group of disciples at Peace? We want and need you! Please contact Kristen Rhoades, Pastor Alex ([email protected]), or the church office to learn more.  

20 Years of Wrapping Peace in Prayer

The Prayer Shawl Ministry celebrates two decades of comfort and care

The Peace Prayer Shawl Ministry began November 22, 2006. Our members have changed over the years, but one thing remains steadfast: the purpose of this caring ministry is to provide comfort and reassurance of God’s presence and love. Over 5,000 prayer shawls and pocket prayer shawls have been created and given to those who need to be “wrapped” in prayer and carry that prayer with them every day. Each shawl is also a reminder that its recipient is being lifted up in prayer.

Prayer shawls and pocket prayer shawls are donated each month to Ava’s House, Good Sam Village, and Church on the Street, as requested. At Peace’s Blue Christmas service, prayer shawls adorn the railing and are given to anyone who needs one. Peace Lutheran is an “all are welcome” church, and prayer shawls are given whenever someone in need wants one.

Prayer Shawl Ministry members are loving, creative people who have turned their love of knitting and crocheting into a ministry for those in need of prayer and care.

We pray for those in need as we knit and crochet, and we pray as a group for the finished shawls at the conclusion of our monthly meeting. On the third weekend of the month, each shawl and pocket shawl is prayed for at every service by everyone attending. Pocket shawls are available at the Welcome Center, and shawls can be obtained by asking a pastor or a member of the ministry. Just imagine the power of prayer each shawl carries to the next person in need.

Our monthly meeting is held on the third Tuesday of each month, 4:30–5:30 p.m., at the Emmaus Table. We’re a lively group and love to work on our “current” shawl as we visit. (Each shawl takes about 12–15 hours to make; pocket shawls take about 15 minutes.) After an informal meeting, we place our hands on the shawls and pray for the ones who will receive them. Everyone is welcome to join us—if you’re interested in learning to knit or crochet, please come; we have some great teachers. Donations of yarn or money to keep this ministry going can be left at the church office.

Please join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary at the Coffee Corner on November 28 and 29 for drinks and treats. We’ll have a display of prayer shawls and pocket prayer shawls, and we’d love to visit with you about the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Discover Peace Adventures

How members are connecting through bike rides, cactuses, and new friendships

Discover Peace Adventures has been a new opportunity for Peace members to connect with each other in new ways. This past summer we’ve had chances to go on an early morning bike ride, join a creative writing group, enjoy music or a play in the park, plant a cactus, jam with a ukulele group, attend Pub Theology, and tour the Arboretum—to name just a few. Read on to hear from a few Peace members about the adventures that became this summer’s favorite ways to connect.

Meeting New Neighbors

I’ve enjoyed taking part in a number of these Adventures and found them a great way to meet people and have fun with others who share my interests. If you’d like to connect with others in new ways, I encourage you to try a new adventure—or better yet, suggest or facilitate one yourself!

But connection at Peace isn’t limited to these Adventures. There are so many ways to get involved—teaching Sunday School, joining a Bible study, playing pickleball, helping with Necessities for Neighbors or Feeding South Dakota, playing in bells or singing in choir, or making prayer shawls or quilts. Check out all your options in this edition of Discover Peace Magazine!

– Bernice Gertz

Riding the Loop

Joining “Ride the Loop,” a Discover Peace Adventure, turned out to be a highlight of my weekly summer routine. I’d tackled the Sioux Falls bike loop solo many times before, but suddenly I was experiencing it in a group setting. Pastor Jason, his wife Julie, and other members created a welcoming environment for riders of all skill levels. Meeting every Saturday morning with up to a dozen riders, this Adventure struck a perfect balance between church community and healthy motivation. We almost always rode the main 19-mile loop, sometimes venturing onto other legs of the bike path for an even better workout—but there was always flexibility built in for anyone wanting a shorter ride or different pace.

Beyond the physical benefits, these rides became a meaningful bridge to real community. Discover Peace Adventures serve as a natural entry point for getting to know people at Peace without it feeling forced or overly formal. Gathering for a quick prayer before each ride set a positive tone, and a mid-point break to relax and chat let me connect with church members in a way I rarely experienced in our more formal gathering spaces. Whether your interest is bicycling or something else entirely, I highly recommend a Discover Peace Adventure in your future!

– Bryan Ruby

The Cactus Adventure

Connie Stout’s care for the plants in the Peace office lobby has drawn admiring comments for years. This summer, she finally said yes to all those curious onlookers and turned her passion for plants and cactuses into a Discover Peace Adventure. People showed up ready to listen, ready to laugh—and some ready to confess their greatest plant-care failures.

Stories flowed freely: well-intentioned overwatering, plants forgotten in dark corners, one participant who brought in a struggling succulent hoping for a second opinion. By the end of the evening, everyone left with their own cactus, planted with their own hands—and a request for a reunion to see how everyone’s cactuses had grown. That request says everything. It was the start of a shared investment in something small, a reminder of that evening, those conversations, and the friendships that began.

Being part of a large church has real benefits, but getting to know the other people who call Peace home can be a challenge. Discover Peace Adventures have helped people make those connections this summer, and we’d like the fun to continue! If you’re interested in an activity—learning to knit, watching a football game together, touring an area nonprofit, and more—or would be willing to facilitate one, connect with Holly ([email protected]) so we can get it on the calendar and help even more connections happen.

Do You Know What WELCA Has Been Up To?

A year of quilts, bandages, and benevolence—plus an invitation to the Fall Retreat

You may have seen—or supported—a WELCA (Women of the ELCA) activity this year, but do you know just how much this group has been up to?

Our quilters have stitched together over 118 quilts, sent out into the world to organizations like Lutheran World Relief, Furniture Mission, Children’s Inn, McCrossan Boys Ranch, Church on the Street, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Our prayer shawl group has created over 100 prayer shawls, given to individuals and families as a tangible reminder that a community of faith surrounds them in difficult times

2,270 bandages have been rolled for Global Health Ministries.

Church on the Street has received 55 laundry bags, 28 shopping bags, and 35 pillowcases.

Peace WELCA has given approximately $10,000 in benevolences to organizations like Church on the Street, St Dysmas, Veterans Outreach Center, and Peace Campers.

Peace WELCA has also given financial support to the Peace Library, Vacation Bible School, and children and youth attending summer camp.

THANK YOU for supporting our love offerings and for donating items like white sheets, yarn, material, and more. Every quilt, bandage, and bag starts with your generosity—we’re grateful for your continued support as we work to make a difference here at Peace, in our community, and around the world.

Women’s Fall Retreat — Celebrating Freedom

As our country celebrates 250 years of freedom, join us for a special evening on Monday, September 14, featuring music by the Sioux Falls Singing Legionnaires, a presentation from Call to Freedom—an organization working right here in our community to bring wholeness to those caught in sex and labor trafficking, and a reflection on Martin Luther’s thoughts on freedom for the Christian. Coffee and desserts will be served.

6:30 p.m. in the Gathering Place. We’re requesting a donation of a full-size personal hygiene item (shampoo, body wash, etc.—no aerosol cans, please!).

Not the Future—The Church Now

Emma Witt’s journey from Peace’s youth council to churchwide leadership

Not only am I getting to help build a future for the church, but I also get to help carve a path for the youth who come after me. God has truly blessed me with that call in my life. 

Hi, I’m Emma Witt. I just graduated from high school and will be heading to college for the first time. I’m a youth representative for the churchwide council, and my mission is to inspire and raise up the youth of the church—not just through leadership, but through stories of life, the hard, the good, and everything in between. 

I didn’t start out on the churchwide council. I started here at Peace at 14 years old as the youth representative on our church council for three years. That was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and it helped me grow—not just in confidence, but in problem solving, leadership, and relationships. It also helped me see that my voice mattered more than I ever thought, and that there were people who wanted to hear it. Because I was a youth on the church council, I was asked to attend synod assemblies. At my first one, I stood up and spoke for the youth. I also saw what it was like to be in the minority, as the youngest one there, unable to find anyone my age. That was honestly the start of realizing why God had put me in that position. 

As time went on, I attended the 2025 churchwide assembly as a representative of the South Dakota Synod, and there my life changed. I connected with youth and young adults, created ideas together, and heard about their achievements and growth in the church. I had the chance to speak up and show that the youth are not the future of the church but the church now. I also saw the work still needed—the barriers set up to make us feel smaller, and the people who saw us as the reason the church would fail. Their words didn’t stop me; instead, they grew the fire in my heart to show there is a spot for the youth in the church, and that I wouldn’t stop until every voice is heard. At that assembly, I was elected to the churchwide council as youth representative. 

Since then, I’ve been working to have the voice of the youth heard—not just at the highest level of the church, but in the synods, churches, and communities youth belong to. This work doesn’t just belong to the youth; it belongs to the people who help them get where they’re going. I’ve had people supporting me throughout this, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s because one person saw me not as a kid, but as someone who had a voice—and gave me a chance to show what God had placed in me. 

This job doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to all the youth and young adults, the ones I know and the ones I can’t wait to meet. So this is an invitation: this is your time to have your voice heard and start something bigger than yourself—even if it’s just sitting next to someone who’s going through a hard time. You don’t have to stand on a stage to be a leader. 

I hope our church is just the start for many youth to find their calling, whether in church or in their everyday lives. I dream of a day where the youth outnumber the adults, and where it isn’t a dream anymore. The youth are here. It’s our time. 

From Student to Teacher

Carissa’s daughters followed her into the classroom—and now teach their own

Shortly after Matt and I were married, we bought a home on the west side of town and began searching for a church “home.” Peace felt like a natural fit from the very beginning—we were warmly welcomed by a congregation filled with young families, appreciated the strong sense of community, and quickly connected with the pastors, whose sermons were impactful.

When our oldest daughter, Alexa, was old enough for Sunday School, I volunteered to teach her class. I had no formal teaching background and had never taught Sunday School before, but Peace needed volunteers, so I decided to give it a try. Looking back, it must have been a positive experience, because more than ten years later, I’m still in the classroom! One of the things I love most about Sunday School is seeing the excitement the children bring each week. Every weekly lesson connects to that week’s sermon, allowing children to hear the same Scripture and themes their parents are hearing during worship.

Both Alexa and our middle daughter, Alivia, looked forward to helping in my classroom once they reached sixth grade. Today, they each teach their own Sunday School classes. When I first volunteered, I never imagined my children would follow in my footsteps, but I am incredibly proud of the way they have chosen to serve and invest their time in the church.

Over the years, our children have also been active in Vacation Bible School, summer music camp, and Christmas programs. Because Alexa and Alivia both love theater and music, these opportunities have been a perfect fit for them. Alexa, now 15, says she initially became involved in teaching Sunday School because she had the opportunity to co-teach with her friend Grace. Her favorite part is building relationships with the kids and joining in the games and activities. Alivia, now 13, has a passion for singing and dancing and loves participating in Peace’s musicals. One of her favorite experiences was being part of the liturgical dance ensemble during last year’s adult Christmas concert; she thought it was so cool she could wear large, iridescent wings and pretend she was an angel!

As a family, we have also enjoyed the Faith Formation Milestone events. These celebrations create meaningful opportunities to connect with each of our children at important moments in their faith journeys. Most recently, our 10-year-old daughter Charlotte celebrated her First Communion, and one of her favorite parts was painting her own communion cup, a keepsake that made the occasion even more memorable.

Volunteering for Sunday School is one of the most rewarding ways to serve at church. You don’t need special training or a teaching background, just a willingness to spend time with children and share God’s love. The relationships you build and the impact you make can last a lifetime. What began as a small step of volunteering for me has become a decade-long ministry that has strengthened my faith, created lasting memories, and even inspired my own children to serve. You may be surprised by how much you receive from the experience, too.

You’re In the Right Place

An invitation to discover where God might be leading you this season

It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from or where you’re going to. At Peace, you’re in the right place.  

Our prayer is that God will use this church to help you find your unique way of following Jesus in this season of your life. This magazine is one part of that effort.  

The Discover Peace Wheel you can see in the magazine contains the overall shape of a year in the life of our congregation as well as Vine, the publication of 17 ELCA churches in the Sioux Falls area.

Shape of the Year / Orientation

What we hope leaps from the page is our ongoing desire to invite you to consider where God might be leading you in a particular season of faith. In that way, Discover Peace is a perennial invitation that will be ready when you’re ready. 

Discover Peace Process 

You can start this process in the pages of this magazine. In the next section, you’ll find simple questions to help you consider where God might be leading you this season. Some anchors to our approach are: 

You are the expert in your story! This isn’t a quiz or a test where you must find the right answer.

God is active in every story. Sometimes God is loud to get our attention, and sometimes God creates quiet to draw us into deeper listening. God is always active. 

We all have a unique way of following Jesus. My way of following Jesus and your way of following Jesus don’t have to be the same to be faithful.

Thank you for trusting your story with us! Here are three invitations for next steps:  

Pick up a Discover Peace Journal

Whether this season of ministry is an independent one or done with community, the Discover Peace Journal can accompany you as your story of faith unfolds. Our heart is that over time, it will become a narrative timeline of God’s activity in your story. You can pick a journal up at the Information Wall in the Welcome Area or find a digital copy at peacelutheran.com/discover. 

Join a Discover Peace Class

Sometimes discernment is best experienced in community. Join a Discover Peace Guide and other curious people for a conversation about what God is up to. Sign up at plc.life.

Explore the Ministries Contained in this Magazine

This magazine contains all of the ministry Peace plans to provide in this season. You’ll find brief descriptions and information to register in this magazine. All ministry sign-ups can be found online at plc.life. 

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 ([email protected]). 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.