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.