A Neighborhood Witness on Prairie Avenue
Augustana Lutheran Church stands on the north side of Sioux Falls at 235 North Prairie Avenue, in the city's historic district and within the northwest neighborhood it has served since 1882. As a congregation of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augustana describes itself as a warm, extended-family community where those who take part are known by name. Its mission statement reads simply: "Being one in Christ and loving our neighbor, we share our faith, hope, and peace with all."
Sunday Worship at Ten
Weekly worship is held on Sundays at 10:00 a.m., both in person and online through the congregation's Facebook page. Holy Communion is normally celebrated on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month. Worship is led by Pastor Rev. Dr. John Paulson, who began his call to Augustana in June 2022 after more than three decades in rural and urban ministry, media, healing ministries, and community development. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.
Music is shaped by Music Director Diane Larsen, a church musician since the age of thirteen whose principal instrument is the organ. About thirty years ago she began incorporating contemporary music into worship, and she has led contemporary worship bands for several local churches, giving the congregation a blended musical character that bridges classical Lutheran hymnody with more modern selections.
Pueblo de Dios: A Bilingual Mission Partner
Augustana's Prairie Avenue building is also home to Pueblo de Dios, a bilingual congregation of English and Spanish speakers that began forming within Augustana's ministry in August 2008 under the vision to "Renew and Reach Out with Christ." Pueblo de Dios gathers for worship each Sunday at 12:30 p.m., with many families speaking Spanish at home and English at work or school. The service is fully bilingual: Scripture is read, prayers are offered, and the congregation's beliefs are declared together regardless of which language worshippers prefer. Sunday School for children is often offered during the sermon, and after the service the community shares a meal in the fellowship hall.
Pueblo de Dios is led by Pastor Maria Cabello Salomon and is part of the same South Dakota Synod of the ELCA. Its mission is threefold: following God, breaking down barriers, and standing with people in need.
LOGOS: Wednesday Nights for Children and Youth
On Wednesday evenings during the school year, the two congregations come together for LOGOS, a shared children and youth ministry that meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program, whose name comes from the Greek word for "the Word," serves young people from preschool through high school. Each evening includes a meal, an energetic worship service, age-appropriate learning, small-group teaching, and games. The ministry draws in Augustana University students as small-group leaders, intentionally bringing together different ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. LOGOS resumes in October each fall.
Reaching Out: Food, Fiesta, and Thanksgiving
Augustana's long history of neighborhood outreach shows up in several recurring ministries. On the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the parking lot becomes the site of the Food to You Mobile Food Pantry, a drive-through distribution hosted in partnership with Charis Ministry Partners alongside three other Sioux Falls congregations.
Each fall, Augustana and Pueblo de Dios "team up" for a neighborhood Block Party and Fiesta, with food, music, and activities for all ages. One recent gathering served four hundred tamales. The church also hosts a free pre-Thanksgiving meal each November, a tradition of more than thirteen years, recently shared with Church on the Street, an ELCA ministry in Sioux Falls.
Worship Bulletins, Newsletters, and Online Life
Worship bulletins are posted online so members and online worshippers can follow along with the liturgy and announcements. A monthly newsletter keeps the wider congregation connected, and past services remain available to watch on Facebook, where the church also livestreams Sunday worship.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
Visitors are welcomed with the words, "We invite you to come as you are; we open our doors and hearts to everybody." The church asks anyone who is sick, recently exposed to COVID-19, or showing symptoms to stay home and join worship online. Face masks are optional inside the building and are provided as needed. The church office is staffed by Secretary Teresa Jackson, typically from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Volunteers help with worship reading, Holy Communion assistance, church cleaning, and the annual bazaar.