Memorial Lutheran Church stands on South Western Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where a congregation that began in a wartime basement has grown into a thriving Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod family known for its warm welcome, three distinct Sunday services, and a deep investment in children and students. Today the church offers traditional, blended, and contemporary worship each Sunday morning, plus a livestream of the 11 AM service, and supports an extensive program of Bible study, music, women's ministry, and outreach to the surrounding community.

A Humble Beginning in a Wartime Basement

Memorial's story begins in the middle of World War II. Sioux Falls was growing rapidly in 1943, and Pastor Herman Rossow received a call to start a new church. With no buildings available to rent or relocate, the founders tried to purchase a vacant church in Elk Point, South Dakota and move it to the city, but the War Production Board denied the project because the cost exceeded their $1,000 limit. When a direct appeal was made in person, the move was again denied - but the board granted permission to construct a basement that could serve as a church. Excavation began on May 24, 1944, and the basement church was completed that August.

The name "Memorial" was chosen for a specific reason: an early description explains that the church would be "at least in great part, a memorial of love and mission mindedness of God's children." On September 3, 1944, twenty-six people attended the first service, and Sunday School began the next week with twenty-three children. By 1945, membership had grown to 86, with women's and men's groups, confirmations, and baptisms all taking place in the young church family.

Building Up and Moving Out

In 1953, the sanctuary was built above the existing basement, and additional property was purchased to plan for growth. By 1978, that early foresight offered the opportunity to add space and parking to the building. Growth continued steadily through the following decades, and in 1991 seven acres of additional land were purchased on South Western Avenue for a future building.

In 1994, the congregation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and launched a capital campaign to build on the new property. Even when the sole pastor accepted a call to another church, the building plans continued with a vacancy pastor, small staff, and building committee leading the way. Pastor Aaron Asmus was installed in August 1999, and the first service in the new building was held on October 10, 1999.

By 2007, membership had grown to 738, and in 2009 the Worship Center was expanded while The BackYard (Children's Ministry area) and The Garage (Student Ministry area) opened their doors. In 2017, with membership nearing 1,000, the congregation began the process to call an Associate Pastor of Discipleship. Pastor Doug Slavens was installed in that role on June 30, 2019, and now serves as Sr. Pastor. The church marked its 75th anniversary on September 8, 2019, with an all-church worship service, fellowship meal, and special activities.

Three Sunday Services and the Real Presence

Memorial offers three Sunday morning worship services at 5000 South Western Avenue. At 8:00 AM, the traditional service features hymns and liturgical elements. At 9:30 AM, the blended service mixes traditional and contemporary elements. At 11:00 AM, the contemporary service offers a more modern worship style. All three services celebrate Holy Communion.

The 11:00 AM service is also livestreamed on YouTube, allowing those who cannot attend in person to participate in real time.

The church's teaching on Holy Communion is rooted in its Lutheran identity. Memorial teaches the "Real Presence" of Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament, through which worshippers receive forgiveness of sins and strengthening of faith. Communion is open to those who confess Jesus Christ as Savior, are repentant of their sins, and believe in Christ's real presence in the Sacrament. Those who have not yet been instructed, who are in doubt, or who hold a different confession are asked to speak with a pastor or elder before communing. Children who have not yet been instructed are invited forward for a blessing. Grape juice is available in the center of the communion trays, and gluten-free wafers are also available upon request.

Music Ministry

Music is central to life at Memorial. The Music Ministry is directed by Mindee Birnstiehl, supported by three organists - Jan Noah, Joy Johansen, and Peggy Baney - and accompanist Kristi Prouty.

The Tone Chimes ensemble rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, September through May, and plays during the 8 AM and 9:30 AM services. The Adult Choir sings four-part anthems with occasional contemporary and traditional hymns, rehearsing Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, September through May, and serving the worship services once or twice a month. The One In Spirit Worship Team leads the 11:00 AM contemporary service, made up of singers and instrumentalists playing keyboard, bass, drums, guitar, and flute; rehearsals are Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM. Soloists and small ensembles also contribute throughout the year as part of the Special Music program.

Children's Ministry: The BackYard

The Children's Ministry at Memorial is led by DCE Liz Peters and includes programs for children from preschool through fifth grade.

Sunday School meets every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, serving preschoolers who are age 3 by September 1 up through fifth grade. Students in sixth grade and above move into the Student Ministries programs.

On Wednesday nights during the school year, two mid-week programs bring children together. Club 345, for third through fifth graders, meets on the first and third Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, exploring themes like the Armor of God through hands-on activities and games. Zingers, for first and second graders, meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Café, with games, crafts, a Bible lesson, and a snack. Parents are welcome to join.

The annual Vacation Bible School is a highlight of the summer, drawing more than 100 children and nearly 50 volunteers in recent years. The programs have included Bible stories, crafts, music, snacks, and a family night with inflatables and s'mores. Children also participate in service projects during VBS, such as collecting cereal for local food pantries.

Nursery care is available during the 9:30 AM service for babies and toddlers while parents are in Bible class, teaching Sunday School, or attending worship. Volunteers serve as Sunday School teachers, helpers, Wednesday night assistants, and on the Cabin Fever team that plans the annual January event.

Student Ministries: The Garage

DCE Hailey Jo Miller directs the Student Ministries program, which serves both middle school and high school students. Their home base is The Garage, the student ministry area in the east end of the building.

Sunday morning Bible Study runs from 9:20 to 10:30 AM for students in sixth through twelfth grade, with topics that vary throughout the year. On Wednesday evenings, High School Connect meets weekly at 6:30 PM for fellowship, Bible study, games, and community. Middle School Connect meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

Confirmation at Memorial is a two-year program for seventh and eighth graders, with the goal of preparing students for lifelong active participation in the life of the church through teaching the basic Christian faith, deepening personal faith, and socializing students into the worshiping and serving community of the church. Parent and student orientation is held each August.

The student ministry also participates in the LCMS National Youth Gathering, held every three years, where thousands of youth and adults gather for worship, service, study, and fellowship.

Adult Connect: Bible Study, Fellowship, and Service

Adult ministry at Memorial encompasses Bible study, fellowship, and service. The Mid-Week Bible Study is currently working through the Book of Concord, a key Lutheran doctrinal text. Sunday morning Bible Study, led by Pastor Doug, is currently going through Thessalonians and meets at 9:30 AM in the Isaiah Room. There is also a women's study and a young women's group that meets monthly, currently working through "By Heart: Conversations With Martin Luther's Small Catechism."

Adults serve through several programs. Ushers and Presentation Operators are needed for all services, with training provided. Altar Care, Elder Ministry, and Memorial Sports round out the engagement opportunities. The congregation also supports Faith Lutheran's MOST Ministries Honduras Medical Mission Trip through donations of hygiene kit items.

Women's Ministry, LWML, and Heart to Heart

Memorial's Women's Ministry serves women of all ages through Bible studies, retreats, serving events, and social gatherings. Two LWML circles (Lutheran Women in Mission) meet monthly except during the summer. Lois Circle meets on the second Wednesday at 9:00 AM, and Lydia Circle meets on the fourth Tuesday at 7:00 PM. The circles support missions including Memorial's Sunday School and youth, Sioux Falls Lutheran School, Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls, seminary students, kitchen supplies, altar paraments, pastor's vestments, St. Francis House, Alpha Center, Children's Inn, church worker appreciation, and Orphan Grain Train. Lydia Circle also hosts a monthly Bible study on the fourth Monday at 7 PM in Café Logos, focusing on missions and connecting faith to the world.

Heart to Heart is a ministry to women by women, providing monthly fellowship, study, and service opportunities. Activities have included craft nights, card making, game nights, spa events, picnics, and the annual Christmas by Candlelight event. Heart to Heart prepares Comfort Meals, frozen and delivered to those in need, and has organized candy bouquet fundraisers that have raised thousands of dollars to send youth to the National Youth Gathering.

The Sew & Sew quilting ministry meets twice a month - on the second and fourth Thursdays at 6:30 PM and the second and fourth Fridays at 9:00 AM - to sew quilts for those in need.

Outreach in Sioux Falls

Memorial strives to be the hands and feet of Jesus through partnerships with local organizations. The congregation serves at St. Francis House on the third Sunday of each month from 5:45 to 7:00 PM. Members also construct furniture at the Furniture Mission, sew quilts through Memorial's Quilting Ministry, contribute to the Memorial Food Pantry, and assist in preparing Comfort Meals. The church also supports Sioux Falls Lutheran School.

Becoming a Member

Memorial offers New Member Classes twice a year for those interested in joining the congregation. The classes include several Sunday morning sessions, a New Member Game Night, and a Pastors' Class, culminating in Welcome Sunday when new members are formally received. Pastors are also available to meet individually with those who have questions about membership.

What Memorial Teaches

Memorial Lutheran Church is part of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The congregation teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and rose to life again in victory over death; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God's Word and Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal, one God. These truths are made clear in the Bible, God's inspired and unfailing Word. The congregation's mission statement is "Connecting To Jesus And You."