Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls
Grace Lutheran Church sits on East 18th Street in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and part of the South Dakota Synod. The church's motto, "Making Believers, Growing Disciples, Developing Leaders," gives shape to everything from Sunday worship to the children's milestone program. Members describe Grace as a community of faith made up of people of all ages and backgrounds, families of all shapes and sizes who gather to worship God and to participate through service in what God is doing in their neighborhood and in the world.
A Confessional, Sacramental, Liturgical, and Evangelical Identity
The congregation walks the path of classic Lutheran Christianity. Members confess that the Creeds are true declarations of faith that summarize the teaching of scripture, and they hold the unaltered Augsburg Confession and other Lutheran writings to be true witnesses of the gospel. The Bible is the revealed Word of God and the norm for faith and life, a heritage summed up by Martin Luther's description of scripture as "the cradle that holds Christ." Two sacraments frame the life of the church: Baptism and Holy Communion. Worship follows a traditional form, but Grace uses many different musical styles, from traditional sung liturgy to a jazz-feel service to a folk-style service, so that the liturgy tells the story of God's work of grace in their lives in fresh ways. As Christians they believe Jesus is Lord, they are missional people who participate in God's mission to share God's love and grace, and they are ecumenical, connecting with other Christians to do ministry and serve their neighbors.
Sunday Worship at Nine
Worship is held every Sunday at 9:00 am and is also livestreamed on Facebook at that hour. The service includes confession and forgiveness, the creeds, the Lord's Prayer, a message from the pastor, and prayers, and ends with coffee, treats, and fellowship. Music comes from the organ, a baby grand piano, and a variety of special music from several music groups. While most Sundays follow the traditional pattern, the Grace Alive team leads services every six weeks or so, weaving contemporary songs into the liturgy.
Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and second Sundays of each month and on many holidays. Baptisms may take place at any worship service, with the baptism held during the service to emphasize that the person is being made a member of the faith community. Midweek worship is offered on Wednesdays during Lent, with special services held during Holy Week, Christmas, and Thanksgiving Eve.
Senior Pastor Siri Sorenson leads the congregation. The staff team includes Thomas Kenison for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Lisa Jasmer as Faith and Family Director, Robin Hofkamp in Visitation Ministry, Rita Blake as Parish Nurse, and Becky Smith as Technology, Communications, and Administrative Assistant. The Music Ministry position is currently open; the congregation is searching for a Choir Director, Organist/Worship Pianist, and Choir Accompanist. The Executive Board is led by Congregation President Darrell Griggs, with Vice-President Wes Hofkamp, Secretary Wendy Bergen, and Treasurer Dave Stotz.
Children Growing in Faith from Baptism Through Confirmation
Children's ministry is one of Grace's strengths, and Lisa Jasmer directs the Faith and Family Ministry. The Milestone Ministry marks faith milestones in the lives of children and youth, with each milestone recognized by the child receiving a stone. Three-year-olds receive story Bibles to begin learning God's Word, four-year-olds receive prayer pillows, kindergartners learn the Lord's Prayer, first and second graders learn the Ten Commandments, and third graders receive their own Bible. Fourth graders learn about what God did for them in Baptism, and fifth graders learn about the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Middle and high schoolers learn about leadership in the church by leading worship once a year, tenth graders are confirmed, and twelfth graders are recognized on their graduation.
Splash Ministry is a monthly mailing sent to families with newborns that continues each month until children begin Sunday school, giving parents ideas for beginning faith learning with even the youngest of God's beloved children. Sunday School is held each Sunday at 10:15 am during the school year for ages 3 through adults, so children, youth, and adults all study at the same hour. Three-year-olds through fifth graders learn Bible stories related to the preaching text for each week. Middle schoolers follow a three-year rotation through the Old Testament, New Testament, the life of Martin Luther, and prayer and worship. High schoolers gather for faith discussion, and adults take a variety of Bible studies.
Grace Kids is the youth group for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade, meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on select Wednesdays throughout the year. Using the TeamKID: All In curriculum, Grace Kids helps young disciples grow in their relationships with God and with one another through stories, games, and activity-based learning. Vacation Bible School is offered each year, with registration posted on the church's online form. Children's and youth participation paperwork is kept on file for the school year.
Middle School, High School, and Young Adult Ministry
Thomas Kenison leads Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and the program spans middle school through age 29. Middle school youth in grades six through eight meet weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 pm during the school year for fellowship and activities. High school youth in grades nine through twelve meet on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:45 pm for their own fellowship time. Confirmation for middle schoolers and ninth and tenth graders covers Luther's Small Catechism and other faith topics and meets at various times; parents of confirmation-age students talk to Pastor Siri for details. The youth values are rooted in Jesus, community and inclusion, service, and fun.
Grace Lutheran youth attend camps through Shetek and Lutheran Outdoors (NeSoDak, Klein Ranch, and Outlaw Ranch), both as a group and individually. A summer service trip takes youth to a location in the continental United States each year. The ELCA National Youth Gathering is held every three years, and youth from Grace Lutheran regularly attend, including the 2027 gathering in Minneapolis. The Young Adult ministry (ages 18-29) centers on four values: community and inclusion, vulnerability, discipleship, and fun, with Gather Sioux Falls as a regular touchpoint and events throughout the year.
Adult Ministry: Bible Study, Music, and Fellowship
Grace Lutheran's adult ministry offers many ways to be involved. Two women's Bible study circles meet on the third Thursday of each month: Martha Circle at 9:30 am and Hannah Circle at 2:00 pm. Both meet at the church and use the Gather magazine of the Women of the ELCA, with members taking turns leading the study and hosting the gatherings. Pastor Siri prepares a leader's Bible study so those who volunteer to lead are equipped to do so.
Faith and Friends is the adult Sunday school class, meeting each Sunday during the school year in the Gathering Place across from the nursery downstairs. Treats and coffee are provided, and Pastor Woody Clauson leads the study. Additional Bible studies are offered occasionally through the year and publicized through the bulletin and monthly newsletter.
Fellowship groups for adults include Aging Gracefully for retired adults (first Thursday at 9:30 am, with speakers and occasional visits to local ministries and services), the Novel Idea book club (last Sunday of the month at 10:30 am in the meeting room), and Let's Bake, which meets on the third Saturday of the month at 9:00 am in the Grace Lutheran kitchen to provide for the following Sunday's fellowship hour.
Music is woven throughout the congregation's life. The Celebrant Choir welcomes singers of all abilities and backgrounds from high school age up, rehearsing Wednesday evenings during the school year and singing for four worship services each month plus special services. Grace Alive is the contemporary worship team that leads services every six weeks or so, made up of singers and instrumentalists. Hand Chimes, for high school through adult, rehearses Wednesday evenings and plays monthly. Singing Men and Singing Women are smaller choir groups that rehearse before choir on Wednesday evenings and sing occasionally for worship.
Each family in the congregation belongs to a service group. The groups take turns serving at funerals, anniversaries, and other special events by working, providing food, or giving financial support, and they each provide one of the midweek Lenten suppers each Lenten season.
Prayer Ministry and Pastoral Care
Prayer is the foundation of the life and ministry of Grace Lutheran. Several practices keep the congregation connected in prayer. The email prayer chain carries specific prayer requests forwarded by a coordinator. Each Sunday someone is in the prayer chapel to pray for the events and activities of the week, for those on the prayer list, and for special prayer requests. The weekly prayer list includes those who are shut in or live in care facilities, those hospitalized or recovering from surgery, those celebrating special events, and those mourning the loss of loved ones. It is placed on the information table each week for anyone who feels called to pray at home.
Prayer shawls are available in a wooden cabinet in the narthex; anyone who would like to wrap someone in prayer may take one to give to that person, and Rita Blake provides knitting and crocheting patterns for those who would like to make them. Each week Pastor Siri prays for one of the congregation's shepherd groups, lifting up each person and family to ask God's blessing, and the list is published in the monthly newsletter so others can pray too. The Prayer Garden surrounds the front of the church and provides a quiet place to enjoy God's creation and meditation. Each person in the congregation belongs to a Shepherding Group, generally formed geographically, with a shepherd who commits to praying for the flock regularly and making a caring contact in times of joy or sorrow. Robin Hofkamp leads the Visitation Ministry, and Rita Blake serves as Parish Nurse, supporting members with care needs.
Outreach: Charis Ministry Partners and Food to You
Grace is active in reaching out to those in need through Charis Ministry Partners, a ministry of the ELCA congregations in the Sioux Falls area. Through Charis, Grace helps serve Food to You, a mobile food pantry that provides groceries each Thursday at an ELCA church. When the volunteers distribute groceries, they also collect the food of the month designated by Food to You. Grace also serves at Necessities for Neighbors, a distribution of items not covered by food stamps such as laundry soap, diapers, feminine products, and toilet paper, that takes place on the first Sunday of the month at Peace Lutheran. Once a year the congregation collects to supply several months' worth of toilet paper for Necessities and helps serve at the distribution.
Practical Details for Visitors
Grace Lutheran Church is located at 3300 E 18th Street in Sioux Falls, SD 57103. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The phone number is 605-334-8625 and the office email is gracelutheransfsd@gmail.com. The Sunday bulletin is available online each week, and Spark Weekly Bulletins are provided for children in both pre-reader and reader editions. Grace Lutheran uses Instant Church Directory to maintain its membership directory; new members with a valid email on file can create an account to access it. Vine Magazine, a collaborative effort of ELCA congregations and ministries, helps members find Bible studies and support groups in the area.
Worship is livestreamed on Facebook at 9:00 am on Sundays for those unable to attend in person. Online giving is available through the church's Donate page. The RaiseRight program lets supporters raise funds for Grace Lutheran building projects by shopping gift cards from more than 750 brands, with no extra money spent and no selling required; an enrollment code is available from Becky Smith at the church office. The monthly newsletter and Vacation Bible School registration are posted online, and a Sign Up Central page connects volunteers with opportunities, from service groups to funeral help to Lenten suppers.
The congregation lives out its calling to be a community used by God for the sharing of the gospel through gathered worship, intergenerational learning, prayer, music, and reaching out to neighbors in need.