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Worship

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” (Ephesians 5:19,20).

The central activity of worship glorifies God and strengthens his people. Worship is the heart of all parish life, the time when the greatest number of members gathers to proclaim the gospel and receive God’s life-giving power in Word and sacrament.

Lutheran sermons are based on the Bible and accurately adhere to the teachings Scripture.

Watch and reflect on our Sermons here!

About Us

Serving families in Fall River and Custer Counties since 1978, Grace Ev. Lutheran Church continues to welcome all those who seek to understand biblical Christianity and walk with us in the unity of faith.

Our Approach

We believe it’s important to let the Bible speak to people in the clear and understandable way in which God wrote it!

 • We believe you want to hear what the   Bible says and not what we think.

 • Our goal is to let the Bible speak for itself and we’re committed to help people see how it does just that.

 • Our promise to you is that we will preach and teach in a way that meets this goal to help you grow in your knowledge and love for God and for others.

“Everyone Is Welcome! Join us for an abundance of Grace found in God’s Word!”

Our Purpose

In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the mission of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church is to extend the reach of our God-given mission of proclaiming the gospel in Word and sacrament to our community, and our world.

Christ’s Love, Our Calling!

The Bible, Baptism, & Communion

Select each topic to learn more.

The Bible is the true Word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. This means that God breathed into the writers the exact thoughts and words they were to write. As a result every statement in the Bible is the truth. One part of the Bible explains another part. It is the only guideline for the faith and life of Christians. We are to read and study it diligently. It clearly teaches all we need to know in order to obtain our eternal salvation.

God bestows all spiritual blessings upon sinners by special means established by Him. These are the “means of grace”, the gospel in Word and sacraments. A sacrament is a “sacred act” established by Christ in which the Word connected with an earthly element gives the forgiveness of sins.

A sacrament is a sacred act established by Christ that uses earthly elements, like water (Baptism), bread, and wine (Communion), along with God’s Word, to convey spiritual blessings, such as forgiveness of sins. We recognize two main sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Through Baptism the Holy Spirit applies the gospel to sinners, giving them new life (Titus 3:5) and cleansing them from all sin (Acts 2:38). Jesus points to the blessing of Baptism promising, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The blessing of Baptism is meant for all people (Matthew 28:19), including infants. Infants are born sinful (John 3:6) and therefore need to be born again, that is, to be brought to faith, through Baptism (John 3:5).

Communion: All who join in the Lord’s Supper receive the true body and blood of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16). Jesus said, “This is my body. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26,28). We believe that Christ’s words cause the real presence—they are not a human action. As we receive Jesus’ body and blood, we also receive the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28) and the comforting assurance that we are truly his own. Unbelievers also receive Christ’s body and blood, but to their judgment (1 Corinthians 11:29).

Confessional Lutherans believe that Holy Communion is a sacred act established by Christ, in which believers receive Jesus’ true body and blood in with and under bread and wine. Through this holy meal, Jesus grants forgiveness, strengthens faith, and offers eternal salvation to those who believe. Only those who repent of their sins and have received proper Christian instruction should participate, as taught in Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:27,28; and 1 Corinthians 10:17.

Participation in Holy Communion is reserved for those who are in spiritual unity and doctrinal agreement with biblical teachings and who have publicly declared this agreement. This practice, originating in the early Christian church, is not a judgment on anyone’s faith. Rather it emphasizes carefulness regarding such a sacred matter. Guests who are not members of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, WELS, or ELS are encouraged to speak with the pastor before communing.

We Believe

As a synod* we believe that the Bible is God’s Word, that it is completely true, it is fully inspired by God, it is the final authority in all matters of faith and teaching, and it is without error.

The three ecumenical creeds, the primary statements of belief for historic Christianity, summarize our faith. In addition, we wholeheartedly subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions (contained in the Book of Concord of 1580) because they are correct explanations of biblical truth.

In essence, the Bible, the creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions all speak the same truth… We are declared to be righteous before God by his Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone!

* Synod means “walking together” in faith and practice.

Our Affiliation

Our church is part of a group of churches called Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod or WELS.

The WELS is a worldwide church with congregations in all fifty states and Canada. It also serves sixteen foreign countries through world mission work.

WELS is a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Book of Concord of 1580.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod here!

How to get in touch with us

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Email

pastor@gracechurchhs.net

Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

2323 Jennings Ave. Hot Springs, SD 57747

Rev. Mark A. Gefaller is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Following this, he earned his Master of Divinity degree in Systematic Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary. In June 1985, Mark was ordained and began his ministry.

After ordination, Rev. Gefaller served congregations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In 2010, he completed academic work toward his PhD while serving as an instructor of Old Testament Isagogics at Mount Mercy University. He furthered his theological education by completing a colloquy program at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2011. Subsequent to this, he ministered at WELS churches in Texas and Nebraska.

Pastor Gefaller is a former Navy Chaplain who provided support to both naval and marine personnel during both peace and wartime, at sea and on land. His service during the Gulf War was recognized in 1992 when he received the “US Armed Forces Chaplain of the Year” award. Before retiring, he served as the Assistant Head for Religious Programs in Washington, DC, where he oversaw religious support and programs for members of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Mark is married to his college sweetheart, Beth Nichols. Beth previously worked as a Lutheran elementary school teacher and later aided in managing Iowa’s most productive store in the Kirlin’s Hallmark chain. Together, Mark and Beth have four children and eleven grandchildren.

Currently, Pastor Gefaller holds a retirement call as pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Blog

  • The Three Ecumenical Creeds

    A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief. The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” In Christianity, a creed is an authoritative, carefully formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief. The three officially recognized creeds of Christianity are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

    They are called “ecumenical” (universal) calling all Christians to believe what they teach! They are accepted by Christians worldwide as correct expressions of what God’s Word teaches.

    The foundation of the Apostles’ Creed (2nd century) was laid by Christ when He commissioned His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). In this Trinitarian creed, the formula of Baptism is prescribed, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

    The Nicene Creed (AD 325) was written by the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, in Bithynia. Attended by 318 bishops, it was framed to settle the false teaching of Arius, who denied the true divinity of Christ.  The creed declares Jesus Christ to be the “only begotten of the Father” and of “one substance with the Father.” Based on these statements, the creed can declare Christ “God from God; Light from Light.” 

    The Athanasian Creed (4th century) expresses the one true faith as the first words of the text state: “Whoever wishes to be saved…”  According to tradition the creed is attributed to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. It is divided into two sections: 1) The first centers on the doctrine of God as Trinity; 2) The second states the church’s faith in the incarnation of Christ by affirming the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. 

  • The Three Ecumenical Creeds

    A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief. The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” In Christianity, a creed is an authoritative, carefully formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief. The three officially recognized creeds of Christianity are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

    They are called “ecumenical” (universal) calling all Christians to believe what they teach! They are accepted by Christians worldwide as correct expressions of what God’s Word teaches.

    The foundation of the Apostles’ Creed (2nd century) was laid by Christ when He commissioned His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). In this Trinitarian creed, the formula of Baptism is prescribed, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

    The Nicene Creed (AD 325) was written by the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, in Bithynia. Attended by 318 bishops, it was framed to settle the false teaching of Arius, who denied the true divinity of Christ.  The creed declares Jesus Christ to be the “only begotten of the Father” and of “one substance with the Father.” Based on these statements, the creed can declare Christ “God from God; Light from Light.” 

    The Athanasian Creed (4th century) expresses the one true faith as the first words of the text state: “Whoever wishes to be saved…”  According to tradition the creed is attributed to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. It is divided into two sections: 1) The first centers on the doctrine of God as Trinity; 2) The second states the church’s faith in the incarnation of Christ by affirming the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. 

  • The Three Ecumenical Creeds

    A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief. The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” In Christianity, a creed is an authoritative, carefully formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief. The three officially recognized creeds of Christianity are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

    They are called “ecumenical” (universal) calling all Christians to believe what they teach! They are accepted by Christians worldwide as correct expressions of what God’s Word teaches.

    The foundation of the Apostles’ Creed (2nd century) was laid by Christ when He commissioned His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). In this Trinitarian creed, the formula of Baptism is prescribed, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

    The Nicene Creed (AD 325) was written by the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, in Bithynia. Attended by 318 bishops, it was framed to settle the false teaching of Arius, who denied the true divinity of Christ.  The creed declares Jesus Christ to be the “only begotten of the Father” and of “one substance with the Father.” Based on these statements, the creed can declare Christ “God from God; Light from Light.” 

    The Athanasian Creed (4th century) expresses the one true faith as the first words of the text state: “Whoever wishes to be saved…”  According to tradition the creed is attributed to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. It is divided into two sections: 1) The first centers on the doctrine of God as Trinity; 2) The second states the church’s faith in the incarnation of Christ by affirming the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. 

  • The Three Ecumenical Creeds

    A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief. The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” which means “I believe.” In Christianity, a creed is an authoritative, carefully formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief. The three officially recognized creeds of Christianity are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

    They are called “ecumenical” (universal) calling all Christians to believe what they teach! They are accepted by Christians worldwide as correct expressions of what God’s Word teaches.

    The foundation of the Apostles’ Creed (2nd century) was laid by Christ when He commissioned His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). In this Trinitarian creed, the formula of Baptism is prescribed, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

    The Nicene Creed (AD 325) was written by the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, in Bithynia. Attended by 318 bishops, it was framed to settle the false teaching of Arius, who denied the true divinity of Christ.  The creed declares Jesus Christ to be the “only begotten of the Father” and of “one substance with the Father.” Based on these statements, the creed can declare Christ “God from God; Light from Light.” 

    The Athanasian Creed (4th century) expresses the one true faith as the first words of the text state: “Whoever wishes to be saved…”  According to tradition the creed is attributed to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. It is divided into two sections: 1) The first centers on the doctrine of God as Trinity; 2) The second states the church’s faith in the incarnation of Christ by affirming the divinity and the humanity of Jesus.