A Lutheran Congregation on First Street in Tea

Trinity Lutheran Church stands at 335 West First Street in Tea, a growing community just outside Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The congregation is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and describes itself with a short, three-word mission: Encourage. Inspire. Serve. That motto shows up in everything from a packed slate of Vacation Bible School themes to a parking lot blood drive held three times a year.

Trinity draws families, retirees and young adults from Tea and the surrounding area. Members speak of the church as a community of "imperfect people who call themselves the body of Christ" where newcomers do not have to look or act a certain way. Visitors are welcomed at the door, invited to God's table for bread and wine, and encouraged to take part in the church's many ministries without any prior church background.

Two Sunday Worship Services, One Building

During the school year, Trinity offers two distinct Sunday services under one roof. At 8:00 am the sanctuary fills with traditional music drawn from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal and led by the organ. At 10:30 am the same room takes on a different feel as the praise band leads contemporary music with guitars, piano and drums. The 10:30 service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube for those worshiping from home.

Between the two services, from 9:15 to 10:15 am, the building hums with activity. Sunday School classes gather for children from age four through fourth grade, and adults gather for a Bible study. In the summer the schedule simplifies: one combined service at 9:00 am, also livestreamed, runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

A second weekly worship service is held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm during the school year, beginning in late September. The Wednesday evening service is followed immediately by youth programming at 7:15 pm, which makes mid-week church a one-stop evening for Confirmation, middle school and high school students.

Sunday School, Confirmation and a Busy Wednesday Night

Trinity takes seriously its role as a congregation where children grow up in the faith. Sunday School runs from four-year-olds through fourth grade and uses art, drama, media, music and storytelling to help kids experience God. Parents register children online each spring, and a Celebration Sunday each fall introduces new classrooms, teachers and a round of carnival games.

For fifth and sixth graders, Wednesday nights bring KFC, Kids for Christ. These early middle school years are acknowledged as challenging, so the group pairs Bible teaching and relationship building with outings and service projects throughout the year.

Seventh and eighth graders meet on Wednesdays for Confirmation, a deliberate two-year course that gathers about fifty teenagers with the ministry staff and a dozen adult mentors. Students study the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Sacraments, the Lord's Prayer, the Bible and their relationships with others. Confirmation Sunday each fall marks the milestone when ninth graders affirm their baptisms and become confirmed members of the congregation.

High school students, grades nine through twelve, gather Wednesday evenings as well. Between fifteen and twenty young people typically attend, sharing devotional lessons, servant projects, games and relationship building. The group raises its own funds for travel and trips through events like the Rocking Ribs Cook Off, the Trinity Puzzle Fundraiser and the annual wreath sale.

Vacation Bible School, Milestones and Busy Blessings

Each June, the church hosts a week of Vacation Bible School for children ages four through fourth grade. The program runs Monday through Thursday evenings, beginning with a meal provided by the church at 5:30 pm and followed by adventure-style learning from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The final night closes with a family potluck and a short program so parents can see what their children have learned. The children return the following Sunday to sing one of the songs during worship.

Running alongside the children's ministries is the Milestones program, a year-round series of intentional steps for families with children from preschool through high school. Each milestone is designed to help parents keep the promises made at a child's baptism and to mark the journey of faith in everyday life.

For the youngest children, birth through age four, Trinity offers Busy Blessings, a monthly gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Parents and grandparents stay with their children for about forty-five minutes of story, craft, snack, music and puppets. The atmosphere is small and welcoming, with the congregation quoting Matthew 19:14 to introduce the ministry: "Let the little children come to me."

Bible Studies for Every Season

Adult formation happens in several rhythms. Sunday morning Bible study meets during the 9:15 am education hour throughout the school year and is open to anyone, with no prior Bible experience required. A women's Bible study meets on Monday evenings in both fall and spring, typically running four to eight weeks on a book of the Bible or a topical theme. Women of the ELCA gather on the third Thursday of each month for a Bible study based on the current issue of Gather magazine, followed by a brief business meeting.

Deacon Christie Meier leads occasional short courses as well. Recent "Bible Crash Course" topics have included a two-night study on angels and a three-night look at heaven that draws on parables and biblical archaeology. These courses are intentionally short and accessible for busy adults.

Music in Two Styles

Music is treated as an essential part of worship at Trinity, and the church supports musicians across a wide spectrum. The 8:00 am service leans on the organ and ELW hymnals. The 10:30 am service features a praise band with vocalists, guitars, piano and drums, and the same band leads the 6:30 pm Wednesday service.

Beyond those weekly ensembles, Trinity maintains a bell choir that rehearses through the fall and rings once a month, with a Christmas concert each December. A women's choir and a mixed choir meet on a sporadic schedule to provide special music during the year. Anyone with vocal or instrumental talent is welcome to share their gift in worship, and a sign-up form on the church's music page invites new musicians to step forward.

Children have their own music presence through the Holy Playground, an online collection of short videos on the church's YouTube channel featuring favorites like "Amazing Grace," "Jesus Loves Me," "Deep and Wide," and "This Little Light of Mine." The series grew out of the congregation's work with its youngest members and is shared with families to use at home.

Trinity Lutheran Preschool

Trinity Lutheran Preschool has been part of the church's ministry for many years and serves children ages three through five. The morning program focuses on kindergarten readiness skills alongside faith-based basics. Carrie Corner serves as Preschool Director, and the school publishes its own supply lists and parent handbook online.

The preschool supports itself through tuition and an annual Preschool Rummage sale held in late July. The two-day sale fills the church with new and gently used clothing for adults and children, toys, dishes and housewares, and has become a back-to-school tradition in Tea.

Food Resources and Community Outreach

Trinity's commitment to serving beyond its walls is anchored by a strong food ministry. The Tea Area Cupboard, a partner food pantry supported by the church, recently moved to a new location at 125 South Main Avenue in Tea and is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, or by appointment. Anyone in the Tea community who needs assistance can visit, and donations of food or money are welcome at the same address.

A separate mobile food distribution through Feeding South Dakota operated in Tea for several years but ended in July 2025 due to federal budget cuts to The Emergency Assistance Food Program. The church has redirected families in need to the Tea Area Food Pantry at 335 West First Street and to other Feeding South Dakota mobile sites around the region.

Beyond food, Trinity members serve at The Banquet West in Sioux Falls several times a year, preparing and serving meals to people in need. Other ongoing outreach partnerships include Kids Against Hunger packing events, God's Work Our Hands service projects, St. Dysmas Prison Ministry, Meals on Wheels, a Christmas Giving Tree and the annual Back Pack Blessing held each August for students from preschool through college.

The church also keeps the freezer stocked with ready-to-go meals for members of the community who would appreciate a home-cooked dinner during a difficult season.

Small Groups and Fellowship

Small group ministry at Trinity takes many shapes. The Over 55 group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month for devotions, fellowship and a potluck noon meal, with outings to local attractions like the Nora Store and the Japanese Gardens and visits from community speakers. WELCA, the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gathers on the third Thursday of each month for Bible study and a brief business meeting, and hosts the church's annual Turkey Dinner each fall.

The Quilters meet on the first Wednesday morning of every month. Members note that no quilting experience is required; if you can use scissors, tie and knot, you are the perfect addition. The Men's Breakfast gathers early each Wednesday morning for devotions and a farmhouse breakfast cooked by a member of the group.

One-of-a-kind fellowship events include the 9th Annual Chili Bingo Night each February, a Family Trivia Extravaganza in the fall that has raised money for Call to Freedom (an organization serving victims of human trafficking), and the annual Date Night Daycare evenings that give parents a night out while high school students care for younger children.

Mission Trips, Camps and Youth Travel

Trinity's high school youth group travels each summer for a mission trip or youth gathering. Past destinations have included West Virginia, and the students raise the funds for their own travel through events like the Rocking Ribs Cook Off and the puzzle night fundraiser. The group is intentionally self-sufficient and develops leadership skills along the way.

Families also send younger children to Bible camps across the region. The church regularly sends youth and families to camps including Nesodak, Klein Ranch and Outlaw Ranch, with options for individual campers, family camps and even grandparent camps.

Vision, Core Values and Governance

Trinity's stated core values are Community, Faith, Family, Spirituality and Love/Hospitality. The congregation describes itself as a welcoming community, a faith-filled community, a community that values spirituality and a community of love and hospitality, FAMILY.

Day-to-day ministry is guided by Deacon Christie Meier, who leads the staff and oversees much of the teaching and outreach work. The Office Manager, Janita Holman, handles communications through info@teatrinity.org and the main phone line at 605-498-2343. The Sunday School and Wednesday Night Coordinator, Molly Gors, organizes the children's and family ministries. Andrew Tuohino coordinates the high school ministry, Carrie Corner directs the preschool, and a technical media specialist and video technician support the church's online presence and livestream.

The congregation is governed by a Church Council led by President Thomas Pierson, Vice President Amy Biddle, Treasurer Margaret Larsen and Secretary Kari Johnson. Six boards carry out the work of the church: Board of Worship, Board of Education, Board of Outreach, Board of Stewardship, Board of Property, and Board of Youth and Family. The Board of Outreach works closely with the Faith in Action Committee to organize blood drives, Banquet serving days, care packages for college students and freezer meals for neighbors in need.

Giving, Endowment and Staying Connected

Trinity offers several ways to give. Members and visitors can give online through bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal or credit card, or by texting 605-777-7223. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 37, Tea, SD 57064 or dropped off at the church office. The general fund, improvement fund, globe offering and endowment fund can all be designated online.

An endowment fund invests contributions to generate ongoing income for the church's mission, programs and facilities. Donations can be one-time gifts, planned gifts or estate gifts, and a request form is available for ministries or members who wish to apply for funding from the endowment.

The congregation publishes a weekly newsletter, the Trinity Connection, with announcements, prayer concerns and a look at the week ahead. Past issues are available as PDFs online, and the office can add anyone to the email list. A printed photo directory and a free photo directory app help members keep in touch with one another. Annual and semi-annual congregational meetings are open to all members and are held in person and on Zoom.

For those curious about becoming part of the congregation, Trinity holds informal New Member Orientations several times a year, followed by a welcoming of new members during a regular Sunday worship service. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the office or fill out the welcome form online.