Saved by Grace, Instruments of God's Peace

Peace Lutheran Church began in 1965 on the west side of Sioux Falls as a ministry to a growing neighborhood. Six decades later, the congregation numbers more than 4,300 people and gathers in five weekend services, while more than 600 others worship online each week from across the country. Its mission statement, Saved by God's grace, we are called to be instruments of God's peace, is the spine of nearly everything the congregation does, from a Saturday evening piano-led service to a Sunday morning modern band, from a deaf-interpreted worship to a Tuesday morning men's breakfast.

Peace is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, part of the South Dakota Synod. It teaches the theology of the sixteenth-century Reformation, as proclaimed by Martin Luther: that God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, is what saves. Members affirm the historic creeds of the church, and visitors are invited to come as they are.

Five Services, Two Traditions

Weekend worship at Peace opens on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. with a traditional, piano-led service that is live-streamed for those who cannot be in the room.

Sunday brings four services. The 8:00 a.m. service is traditional and organ-led, also live-streamed. A second traditional, organ-led service follows at 9:00 a.m. The 10:10 a.m. service shifts to a modern, band-led format with Spirit of Peace leading worship; it is live-streamed and ASL interpreted. The 11:15 a.m. service continues the modern style, with Lifeline leading the music.

Worship runs about an hour. The congregation is multi-generational, and services adapt to fit. Dress is whatever makes a visitor comfortable. The bulletin is available online and in print, and the live stream can also be found on YouTube when the main platform is not working.

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the Heartland Ephphata ministry provides ongoing ASL interpretation at the 10:10 a.m. service and gathers the community through a dedicated Facebook group. The Expanding Worship initiative is actively working to make the online audio clearer and to add captions for the deaf community, while also evening out sound coverage throughout the sanctuary itself.

Coming as You Are

First-time visitors are greeted at the door by volunteers. The I'm New page extends the same welcome online. A Connect Card lets visitors share their name and contact information so a pastor or volunteer can follow up. Discover Peace classes walk newcomers through the congregation's life and next steps. Those who decide to make Peace their church home fill out a Ready to Join form.

On Sunday mornings, coffee and treats are served in the Gathering Place after worship. The Gathering Place is the original 1964 structure built when Peace became a church; its renovation continues to anchor fellowship at the church, and new comfortable seating and a Second Sunday Coffee Corner are being added to the library this fall.

The Pastoral Team

Pastor Jason Kramme is the lead pastor. A native of Iowa, he came to Peace after ten years of ministry at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota, where he supervised family ministry, member engagement, spiritual formation, and stewardship. He holds a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary and was ordained in the ELCA at Luther Seminary. His wife, Julie, and their sons Emil and Forest are settling into Sioux Falls, with a family goal of visiting every U.S. national park.

Pastor Paul Stjernholm has served Peace since 1993, making him the longest-tenured member of the pastoral team. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 1985 with a Master of Divinity, following undergraduate work at St. Olaf College. He has chaired the South Dakota Synod's Sioux Falls Area Strategy Task Force and served as president of the Sioux Falls Ministerial Association.

Pastor Alex Smith serves as associate pastor, connecting volunteers with local outreach ministries such as Necessities for Neighbors, Feeding South Dakota, Food to You, and Laundry With Love. Ordained at Wartburg Theological Seminary in 2018, Pastor Alex is an advocate for people with cognitive disabilities and serves on the board of Charis Ministries.

The newest member of the team is Pastor Kyle Svennungsen, Pastor of Spiritual Care and Discover Peace. He comes to Peace from three years of ministry in the Sioux Falls area, accompanied by his wife Ånna, their three sons, and a golden retriever. He is an advocate for people with disabilities and their families.

Pastor Elizabeth Platts rounds out the pastoral team. Holly Marty directs faith formation for adults. Pam Tetzlaff directs faith formation for youth, family, and confirmation. Darya Levesque directs faith formation for children, music, and family.

Music from the Cradle to the Choir Loft

Music is woven into every stage of life at Peace.

Children begin in Celebration Choir for kindergarten through second grade, learning songs by rote on Wednesday afternoons. Third through sixth graders move into Jubilation Choir, where they begin to read octavo arrangements and sing in two parts. Third through fifth graders can join the Children's Handchimes ensemble. Middle and high school students are welcome in Youth Bells.

The Adult Choir, with the motto One God, One Voice, welcomes singers from high school age on up. The Adult Bell Choir is open to anyone who can read music. Peace Brass, an auditioned ensemble of brass players from college age to adult, plays once a month in worship and at Christmas and Easter. The Peace Symphonic Band, made up of all ages and abilities, accompanies one of the traditional services each month.

Bob Levesque directs worship and music. Darren Hensel directs production and modern worship. Nancy Lenander leads the choirs, youth bells, and handchime programs. Kyle Quanbeck serves as organist. Denise Edwards is the Saturday pianist.

Children, Youth, and Milestones

Peace Kids gathers children from six months through fifth grade each week for hands-on Bible learning. Every volunteer is trained and equipped to care for children with excellence.

The Milestones ministry marks significant moments in a child's faith journey with intentional events and gifts. Baptism anniversaries are celebrated with a blessing and a dove. Twos receive a personalized book. Threes receive a Spark Story Bible. Fours decorate Prayer Pillows. Kindergartners engage with the Lord's Prayer. First graders study the Ten Commandments. Second graders prepare for First Communion. Third graders work through the Apostles' Creed. Fourth graders receive an Adventure Bible. Fifth graders learn about Martin Luther. Sixth graders are welcomed into middle school and confirmation. New teen drivers and graduating seniors are honored. Married couples, recent and longtime, celebrate anniversaries together.

Middle school youth meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. for games, worship, fellowship, and conversation about living as God's faithful people. First Fridays of the month offer a separate gathering with a different activity each month.

High school youth meet on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Second Sundays bring another monthly event. The Peace Youth Council, made up of high schoolers who plan activities and traditions for the youth ministry, takes applications each year.

Adult Study, Small Groups, and Fellowship

Adults at Peace find a wide range of Bible studies and small groups.

The Adult Forum gathers in the Shalom Room at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, with a Zoom option, for closer study of the week's texts. A Women's Weekly Study meets on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on Zoom. Men's Breakfast gathers at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Fryn' Pan on 41st Street, with a Zoom option; the Women's Breakfast meets at the same restaurant at 6:30 a.m. for book study and fellowship. A Friday Morning Bible Study meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Shalom Room with a Zoom option.

The Wednesday Morning Bible Study gathers at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place for conversation and treats, then a pastor-led study from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Women's Circle meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Gathering Place.

Special-interest groups include Brotherhood for men in their twenties and thirties, Pillars for men in their forties and fifties, the Terrific Tuesday Book Club on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., Peace Quilters on one or two Thursday mornings a month, and a ukulele group that meets Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in the Emmaus Room. The Prayer Shawl knitters gather on the third Tuesday of each month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Emmaus Table.

The Senior Ministry holds a potluck on the fourth Monday of each month, with speakers and musicians from around the area. Game Days happen on the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in Room CE. Transportation is available for those who need a ride to worship or to medical appointments.

Young adults in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties gather through small events, service opportunities, and community building. Peace Adventures offers informal gatherings such as coffee meetups, walks, game nights, and bike rides, hosted by members.

Local Mission in Sioux Falls

Peace reaches outward in concrete ways across the city.

Necessities for Neighbors distributes toilet paper, laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, and diapers to more than 300 local families on the first Sunday of each month. Volunteers gather at 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for setup and distribute items from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. through the west doors.

Food to You is a weekly mobile food pantry supported by Peace and other ELCA congregations in Sioux Falls. Peace collects food and serves at the distribution about four times a year.

Feeding South Dakota distributes food in Peace's west parking lot on the second Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Twelve to fifteen volunteers are needed at each event.

St. Dysmas of South Dakota is an ELCA congregation within the South Dakota State Penitentiary. Peace members have the opportunity to join the Thursday evening worship several times a year.

PeaceMeals supplies frozen meals to individuals and families who need extra care, including new babies, illness, hospitalization, or bereavement. The Prayer Shawl Ministry has wrapped more than 5,000 shawls and pocket prayer shawls in prayer since November 22, 2006. Volunteers mentor elementary students, prepare World Relief quilts, and assemble Lutheran World Relief kits coordinated through WELCA. The Card Ministry sends hand-written notes of encouragement to members and friends during difficult seasons.

Reaching Across Borders: Jumelle, Haiti

Peace partners with the village of Jumelle in Haiti. Each year, a group from Peace travels to Jumelle to build relationships and share God's love. Recent trips have built benches for the church and led Vacation Bible School for children, telling the story of Holy Week. Peace has helped fund a cooperative rice mill that generates enough revenue to pay teachers at the school associated with the partner congregation, giving children the chance for an elementary-school education regardless of family income. Kids against Hunger meals from the Sioux Falls area are used for school lunches.

Care in Every Season

Pastoral care at Peace includes hospital visits, home communion for those who cannot attend worship, and emergency support outside office hours. Pastors and home communion volunteers will bring the sacrament to anyone who asks.

Stephen Ministry equips lay caregivers, called Stephen Ministers, to provide confidential, Christ-centered care for people facing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or other life crises. Training classes run from January through May.

Recovery groups meet at Peace throughout the week. Alcoholics Anonymous meets on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the RST Room. Narcotics Anonymous meets on Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. in the RST Room. Al-Anon meets on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. in the UV Rooms. Gamblers Anonymous meets on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. in Room B.

The Library, open Sundays 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., holds more than 6,000 books, including board books for the very young, picture books, children's Bibles, Bible studies, and devotionals for every stage of faith. A catalog is available online.

Generosity as a Spiritual Rhythm

Giving at Peace is described as a spiritual rhythm rather than a transaction. The congregation maintains five funds: General, Mortgage, Endowment, Expanding Worship, and Facilities Maintenance. Gifts may be made through Church Center online, by Venmo at @PeaceLutheranSF, by mail, or by check during worship. Children place their offerings in a Giving Jar that supports ministries serving other children.

Study guides accompany each sermon series and are available in print at the Info Wall and digitally online. The Adult Forum at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays walks through the week alongside the preaching text.

The Peace Endowment accepts planned and deferred gifts through wills, trusts, annuities, and life insurance, investing in the ELCA Endowment Fund Pooled Trust. Earnings are distributed quarterly to support ministry, including scholarships for young people to attend camp, new ministry initiatives, and outreach into the community and around the world.

RaiseRight allows supporters to earn rebates for PeaceCARE, Preschool, summer camp, and youth trips by purchasing gift cards for daily spending.

The Judy Lucas Memorial Health Care Scholarship, awarded to two students each year in $125 gifts, supports young people in South Dakota pursuing patient-facing health care roles, honoring a longtime member who served as service coordinator at Peace.

Expanding Worship

The Expanding Worship initiative is a two-year effort to upgrade audio, lighting, and video systems in the sanctuary and supporting spaces. The goal is even sound coverage throughout the room, clearer online audio, and a stronger experience for the deaf community through clearer captions and visible ASL interpretation. The team's aim is for everyone, whether in the front pew or the back row, in the Gathering Place overflow, or in a living room across the country, to have a clear and consistent worship experience.

Improvements already in place include new ambient microphones, an upgraded sanctuary soundboard, and a separate mixing position for online audio. The campaign supports the church's online worshipers, who number more than 600 each week.

Learning at Peace: Preschool, Pre-K, and Daycare

Peace Lutheran Preschool and Pre-K enrolls children from all denominations in a Christian environment focused on spiritual, social-emotional, physical, and intellectual development. The program builds on the foundation of knowing that Jesus loves each child, weaving Bible stories, songs, and concepts of sharing, caring, loving, and forgiving throughout the day.

Preschool sessions run two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) for three-year-olds, with morning and afternoon options. Pre-K sessions run three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for four- and five-year-olds, also with morning and afternoon options. The program follows the Sioux Falls School District calendar closely.

PeaceCARE Daycare serves children from birth through age five with year-round care from 7:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The afterschool program picks up from John F. Dennedy, Oscar Howe, Discovery, and Pettigrew elementary schools, with arts and crafts, library time, field trips, outdoor play, homework help, gym time, and Christian-based activities.

All teachers hold a degree or background in Early Childhood Development, a Child Development Associate credential, and current CPR and First Aid certification.

Daily Bread and Staying Connected

Daily Bread Devotions are short Scripture reflections emailed each day by Peace's pastors. Subscribers can sign up online. Past reflections are archived online.

The Church Center app and plc.life keep members connected to events, sign-ups, registrations, and giving. Discover Peace magazine is released three times a year, in January, May, and September, with feature stories from across ministry areas, upcoming events, and a guide to next steps. A keepsake journal accompanies each issue for personal faith reflection.

Peace Lutheran Church gathers every weekend at 5509 W 41st Street in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, in person and online, in traditional organ-led hymns and modern band-led songs, in spoken English and in ASL. All are welcome.