Wesley United Methodist Church

Wesley United Methodist Church is a church family that seeks to live into John Wesley's three simple rules- to do good, to do no harm, and to stay in love with God. http://www.wumcsf.org

We meet every Sunday at 10am.

Wednesday, April 1 6:00 p.m. Worship committee meeting

Thursday, April 2 6:30 p.m. – Holy Thursday worship

Friday, April 3 6:30 p.m. – Good Friday worship

Sunday, April 5 10 a.m. – Easter Sunday Worship with Holy Communion

Final Journey of Stones series

Saturday, April 25 6:30 p.m. Armouraires Gospel Quartet in concert at Wesley

In case you missed any of the worship services and messages, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Video Archive” tab to view.

To watch services “live” each Sunday at 10 AM, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Livestream” tab.

Read these words carefully from this Easter recitation entitled:

Where is the Real Easter? by Elaine Hardt.

Shredded cellophane nests behind the couch and chairs,

chocolate rabbits, fancy decorated eggs, and yellow marshmallow chicks.

Sunday school flannel graph story, Jesus on the cross,

a stone beside an empty tomb, a shiny nickel to place in the basket.

Grown-ups church, sitting behind ladies with big flowered hats,

earnest, perspiring preacher with Bible in hand, a thundering organ and blended voices,

“Up from the Grave He Arose!”

Where is the real Easter? Memories and dreams, ceremonies and tradition?

Reality or childish delusion?

Ask Him who made you, body, spirit, and soul,

“God, do you have a Son, Jesus Christ, who died for my sin

so I can go to Your heaven when I repent and believe?”

There is a real Easter to know and receive, a real Savior who loves you and me.

He makes all the difference between yesterday's Easters and the real resurrection day.

We are resurrection people. People need to know the real Easter through us - in what we say and do – ALL THE TIME. Amen? So don’t let your Easter end on Easter Sunday!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Laurie

If there is questionable weather and you are uncertain as to whether Wesley UMC will have church on a Sunday morning, you will receive an email early that morning at the latest; or you can check the cancellations on KELOLAND or our FaceBook page.

The next Bunco game day will be held April 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm.

Come join us for fun and fellowship!

Good Sam/ Canton: Joyce Patterson

Rushmore Mn: Marian Hoek

Stoney Brooke: Maxine Ingalls

Prairie Crossing: Bernie McCabe

Dow Rummel: Nila Hendriks

Luther Manor: Donna Hoh

Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD: Margeann Dewes

Prince of Peace: Audrey Hullinger

Tea Retirement Home: Zelma Dean

12 Jeff Thompson

14 Margeann Dewes

17 Chuck Griner

17 Kyle Dammer

21 Micah Griner

23 Ragnar Benson

27 Kirk Van Den Oever

29 Richard Twedt

• • Income January & February .............................................................................. $16,683.49
  • Expense January & February ........................................................................... ($17,355.86)
  • Expense exceed income @ 2/28/2026 .............................................................. ($ 682.37)

  
  

  Don Armstrong, Treasurer

• Balance 12/31/2025 ...................................................................................................... $8,119.42
• Donations January & February ........................................................................................ 1,950.00
• Disbursements ................................................................................................................ (6,100.00)
• Interest earned ..................................................................................................................... 15.60
• Balance 2/28/2026 ......................................................................................................... $3,985.02

Theatre 605 is doing a play at Dakotabilities. We are diligently working on sets, props and puppets for this performance here at Wesley!

Our performers are hard at work preparing for our Expanding Stage performances in just a few weeks! We are so thrilled to partner with DakotAbilities for these performances.

These dedicated artists will be performing Aesop’s Fables, April 23 & 24 at 1:00 pm at the Longfellow Center on DakotAbilities campus in Sioux Falls, SD. 🎭

If you’ve never been to an Expanding Stage performance, it’s time to change that! Join us for an unforgettable experience.

Theatre 605 is also excited to start utilizing the parsonage! Our tour teams and West River staff are excited to have a regular place to lay their heads when they are through Sioux Falls. Thank you for making that happen!

It's the season of new beginnings- spring!

The weather is warming (sort of), the grass is starting to green up, farmers are prepping for planting seasons, and the birds are moving back.

What a beautiful season of birth and renewal to have in our year.

We at GroundWorks Connect have been busy and are so excited for the season. We have some planting dates set and have given out seeds for teachers to start in the classroom. The garden preparation is in full swing and our Garden Manager, Ginger, has been hard at it.

We also have been busy implementing new Program Advisory Teams for both the teaching gardens and the Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum. If you are interested in being involved in guiding curriculum and program development of either one of these programs, please contact me at stacia@groundworksconnect.org. We'd love to have you!

The growth we saw last summer that many of you were a part of, is only going to be bigger this year. We cannot wait to expand our garden sites and share more activities to educators and students. What a gift it is to be able to work with communities and watch them grow (literally!) their gardens into something even more than just beauty.

Let's keep growing hope- together!

Stacia Even

Executive Assistant

Communications Director

GroundWorks Connect

GroundWorks Connect

Pentecostal Slavic Congregation of Sioux Falls-Meets in our Sanctuary on Sundays 12:00-2:00, and on Fridays 7:00-9:00

Lirio de los Valles-Meets in our former nursery room on Sundays 12:00-2:00 and Thursdays 7:00-8:30

Prayers:

Don Armstrong

Joanne

Kathy- Hospice

Aleene Williams

Beth Stricker

Kolby

Ron Poppenga

Danielle

Ernie Griner and family

Our Country

Pastor Laurie, Abby Hamann and the Armstrong’s will be attending the 2026 Dakotas Annual Conference in Bismarck ND June 4-7. Please keep them and all other attendees in your prayers.

On Sunday, June 7, the Celebration of Life worship service will be live-streamed from

Bismarck-McCabe UMC for Wesley UMC congregational folks viewing that morning.

Each year at annual conference, an invitation to participate in a miracle offering is given for churches to participate in within their local congregations. This year the offering is “From the Wellspring: Faith That Learns, Love That Serves.”

From the beginning of the Methodist movement, learning has been central to faithful discipleship. The miracle offering supports this vision in two important and connected ways. One half of the offering will support the endowment for theological education in Africa, the Philippines and Europe, helping united Methodists outside the United States access theological education and prepare for pastoral leadership. Our gift will be a part of the worldwide miracle offering meant to not only serve students today but also financially support the preparation of pastors for generations whose leadership will nourish congregations for generations. The other half will invest in education and training for laity across the Dakotas conference, equipping everyday disciples for faithful leadership and ministry in their local context.

Please pray about how you would like to give to this offering. We, at Wesley UMC, will take up a special offering Sunday morning, May 31 so it may be taken to annual conference the next weekend. Checks may be made out to “Wesley UMC” (memo: annual conference special offering).

Thank you so much for being a part of what we as a connectional United Methodist Conference are doing around the world and locally.

The Armouraires Gospel Quartet

Saturday, April 25 - 6:30 p.m.

Love Offering will be taken

(if you write a check: please make out to “The Armouraires”)

BRING A CARLOAD TO ENJOY SOME TOE-TAPPING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC

AND POWERFUL WITNESSING!

(website: armourairesquartet.com)

Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church United Women in Faith is having their Spring Brunch on April 11th beginning at 10:00 am in their Multi-Purpose Room. The speaker this year is Pam Cole who is the Executive Director of the Bread Break Program in the Sioux Falls area. Bread Break is a program that collects food from area stores and restaurants and then distributes them to organizations who serve the underserved. Joyce and Phil Vos, who volunteer for Bread Break will be the entertainment. They will be joined by Laurie Kidd.

This is always a wonderful time for great food and fellowship. The tickets are $10.00 and will go on sale March 22, 2026. To make reservations, contact Mary Jane Richardson at maryjane@sio.midco.net or by phone 605-940-1414.

A freewill offering will be taken to help support Bread Break.

First United Methodist address is 401 S. Spring Ave. The Multi-Purpose Room is on the west side of the church.

There is parking on the east and west sides of the church.

Soul Care Saturday

Southeast District United Women of Faith will be hosting a Soul Care Saturday on April 18 in Harrisburg from 8:30 to 12:30. Dawn Armstrong will be going. All women are invited to attend. The cost is $15 and includes lunch.

We will be sharing insights and challenges from the 2026 Program Resource Book—Mapping Our Way Forward. We will be discussing and meditating on living out our faith through action. Let Dawn know if you would like to attend so she can let the host unit know how many people will be joining us for lunch.

Like many of you, we have two autistic family members—a granddaughter and a great grandson. So, this is a good time to become more aware of what autism is and what we can do when interacting with an autistic individual.

Autism is a neurological abnormality that develops among young children. The normal brain functioning is hindered by a number of interlinked factors, causing irregularity and abnormality in speech, communication, social awareness, and imaginative skills. Thus, autism depletes the standard of living of the affected child.

The average age that an autistic patient may survive is estimated to be 54 years with persistent impairment of non-verbal and verbal skills. The dependency of the autistic child can be treated to some extent by therapies, medication, and treatment.

This pervasive disorder is more common in boys rather than in girls. It is estimated that the symptoms are more pronounced by 3 years of age.

While there's no single cause, studies suggest that around 90% of autism risk can be attributed to genetic factors, with environmental influences playing a secondary role.

"High-functioning" autism (HFA) is a non-medical term for autistic individuals who have average or above-average intelligence, strong verbal skills, and can live independently with minimal support. Often falling under Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder, they may face challenges with social interaction, sensory processing, and restrictive, repetitive behaviors, despite their cognitive abilities.

There are also low-functioning autism individuals who frequently come with multiple mental health issues that complicate their ability to live life independently. Our granddaughter is one of those individuals. She is a loving, affectionate young woman but will always need to be taken care of by a guardian.

The 6-second rule in autism support is a communication strategy involving a, minimum, six-second pause after asking a question or giving an instruction. This wait time allows autistic individuals, who may have slower auditory processing, to process information, reduce anxiety, and formulate responses, minimizing frustration and the need for repetitive prompting. If you need to repeat a question, use the same wording you used the first time. That is: “Put on your coat” (repeat exactly don’t change to “Get your coat.”). The main thing is consistency. With proper treatment and care, most people with autism can lead full, productive lives.

Dawn Armstrong, Health Ministries

Tucked into the heart of Whittier, at the corner of 4th Street and Highland Avenue, sits one of Sioux Falls’ most overlooked gems—Winona Park, the smallest park in the city and one of its oldest.

The neighbors of the Whittier Residents Association is excited to share plans for a simple but meaningful enhancement that will finally give this pocket park the recognition it deserves. The project will add a modest landscaped feature along Highland Avenue, a permanent sign identifying Winona Park and its history, and a touch of charm that invites neighbors to pause, notice, and enjoy.

This isn’t about making the park bigger or busier—it’s about making it visible, celebrating its story, and honoring how even the smallest green spaces contribute to everyday life in our neighborhood.

Winona Park reminds us that community isn’t always grand or loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, thoughtful, and right on the corner you pass every day.

More details coming soon—and as always, neighbors are invited to be part of the conversation.

Whittier Residents Neighborhood

The expenses so far this year were for the Canteen which remains active. Anyone interested in helping prepare or help serve with the Canteen, please contact Vicki Hannish or Mary Poppenga. Help with this worthy cause would be greatly appreciated as well as financial support.

We had a donation from the Gage Endowment which is a annual donation given to support our outreach activities.

2026 WNO checkbook = $9,124.01

CDs = $14,566.04

TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts $23,690.05

Sue Ness

Treasurer for Wesley Neighborhood Outreach

Pastor Jordan Minnich Kjesbo has been appointed to serve Wesley UMC beginning July 1, 2026! It may seem like it’s been forever, and you may have even questioned the appointment process. But God always comes through. So does your Bishop and Cabinet!

Pastor Jordan may seem a bit familiar to some of you. That is because he filled in the pulpit a few times several years ago – as well as Bill Gran and Howard Grinager. Pastor Jordan was introduced to leaders in the church March 5 and was approved to serve Wesley UMC beginning July 1, 2026.

If you would like more information about Pastor Jordan, there is a short biography in the church office if you would like a copy.

Please contact Pastor Laurie at 605-376-0752.