The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How has Soldiers of the Cross supported LCMS church workers? Deaconess Maryann Hayter, LCMS Manager of Grants Administration, joins Andy and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about what Soldiers of the Cross is, the scenarios in which a church worker may need support from Soldiers of the Cross, how this program supports the mission priorities of the LCMS, and how support from donors makes this mercy program a reality. Learn more about Soldiers of the Cross at lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/serving-church-workers/soldiers-of-the-cross. 
 
 Read more about Mercy Work in the LCMS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy and at https://lcms.org/mercystories.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Des Peres, MO, is celebrating 175 years with exciting expansion. Rev. Dr. Glen Thomas — Senior Pastor at St. Paul’s, Sharon Whitlock — Long-time member at St. Paul’s, and Mark Canon — President of the congregation at St. Paul’s, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, how Sharon is related to some charter members of the congregation, how the church and school have evolved over the years, how the church and school have served the surrounding community over 175 years, and the exciting building expansion happening as the congregation continues to grow. Learn more about St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School at stpaulsdesperes.org.

How does a visual arts teacher serve in a Lutheran high school? Anna Bloomfield, visual arts teacher at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about who influenced her to consider and become a Lutheran school teacher, her journey to becoming a Lutheran school teacher, the types of things a visual arts teacher gets to share with students, how she builds relationships with her high school students, what gives her joy about being a Lutheran school teacher, and how she and her school helps to form and recruit future church workers. Learn more about Crean Lutheran High School at creanlutheran.org. 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Steven Wolters, KFUO Radio listener and donor, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about when he first began listening to KFUO Radio, how it became a regular practice for him and his son, how our programs him help him in his daily vocations, and how listening to KFUO Radio has made a difference for his family. If you'd like to become a supporter like Steven, visit kfuo.org/give.
 
 This program originally aired December 12, 2023.

What were the Puritan critiques of the Church of England? In episode 2 in our series on the Puritan Movement, learn what the Puritan movement stood for, how they sought to improve the preaching in the Church of England, and the many issues they had with the Church of England’s theology. These things include their idea of experiential piety, the sanctified life, Sabbatarianism, and the different facets of covenant theology. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the Puritan Movement in England. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.
 
 Interested in more? Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the LCMS and International Center Chaplain, joins Sarah to talk about how the Athanasian Creed became part of our Confessions, who St. Athanasius was and his relationship to this creed, how it's similar and different to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, some of the language that might make us uncomfortable and also the beautiful language to pay attention to. Find this Creed on pages 319-320 in the Lutheran Service Book or download it from this link on lcms.org.
 
 This is a rebroadcast from June 8, 2022.

How do new pastors and their families find mutual encouragement and support? PALS Facilitator Rev. Steve Wagner from Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, and PALS Facilitators Rev. David & Kassie Weaver from Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson, IL, join Andy to talk about Post Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS), how PALS serves new pastors and families, their own experiences in ministry and how those experiences help them as PALS facilitators, and how aspects of ministry affect marriage and family life in a different way than other careers. Learn more about PALS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/education/pastoral/post-seminary-applied-learning-and-support.

What is the joy in teaching at a Lutheran High School? Rev. Joe Cox, head of Academics at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about his journey to the seminary and into the teaching vocation, what gives him joy as a Lutheran high school teacher, the relationships he builds with students as a part of their formation as young adults, how he and other school leadership work with parents in the formation journey, and his favorite lessons to teach students. 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Today, June 27, the Christian church commemorates Cyril of Alexandria. Who was this significant historical figure? Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Director of Field Education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, joins Andy to discuss!

What are the origins of America’s biggest Protestant denominations? To answer this question, we must revisit 16th Century England. Today we begin a new history series with Dr. Cameron MacKenzie on the Puritan movement. In this episode, hear about Queen Elizabeth, the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity, the Book of Common Prayer, how the Puritan movement began in the Church of England, and what the Puritans were trying to keep “pure.” 
 
 Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the Puritan Movement in England. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.
 
 Interested in more? Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

We’re celebrating DCEs in preparation for National DCE Day on June 26! Melissa Luepke — Director of Faith Formation at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, Becca Klemm — Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, and Nick Moss — DCE at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakeland, FL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they first learned about directors of Christian education, some key elements of formation and training to become a DCE, the general and specialized areas of service as DCEs, how they collaborate with church leaders and parents, and the DCEs who have influenced their ministry service.

How do new missionaries prepare to serve on the mission field? Stan and Dana Stigdon — serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and Ariana Gomez — Manager of Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how the Stigdons are preparing to serve in the Dominican Republic, how their previous vocations prepared them to serve in these roles, the orientation and preparation to serve in these roles, and the other opportunities available to serve internationally. Learn more about the Stigdons and how to support their work at lcms.org/stigdon. 
 
 Discover how you can serve internationally at servenow.lcms.org.

What brings joy to elementary school teachers? Erin Rodgers, Teacher at First Lutheran Church and School in Knoxville, TN, Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about who influenced her to consider and become a Lutheran school teacher, her journey to becoming a Lutheran school teacher, what brings her joy as a Lutheran teacher, and how her congregation supports and forms future church workers. Find First Lutheran School at firstlutheranschooltn.com. 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What is life like serving as a missionary in Latvia? Rev. Dr. Quintin, Lindsay, and Carter Cundiff, serving the Lord in Latvia, join Sarah and Andy to talk about how they became missionaries in Latvia, the focus of their service, the community and culture in Latvia, and their family life and daily living. Follow the Cundiffs in Latvia Facebook page at facebook.com/TheCundiffsInLatvia. Learn more about the Cundiffs and how to support their work at: lcms.org/cundiff.

Who overcomes? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 8 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about Jehoiachin’s outlook until the end of Jeremiah’s book, how Jehoiachin’s story was similar to Abraham's, how God brings us through exile, and what we can learn from the book of Jeremiah. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

Benjamin Kolodziej, member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX, highly active church organist and composer, and contributor to the Lutheran Service Book Hymnal Companion, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about three upcoming hymns in the Three Year Lectionary for Series A, Propers 14-16: Lutheran Service Book 717, 615, and 645. Learn more about the LSB Hymnal Companion and find your copy at music.cph.org/lutheran-service-book-companion-to-the-hymns.
 
 This program originally aired August 5, 2020.

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession (which we commemorate on June 25), including the cultural and political context leading up to the Diet of Augsburg, what the Diet of Augsburg was and why it became necessary, how the Confessors prepared for this Diet in 1530, and the significance of what happened during the Diet.
 
 Read more about this important historical event at lutheranreformation.org/history/presentation-augsburg-confession and ilc-online.org/2021/06/25/confessing-the-faith-reflections-on-the-presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession.
 
 This is a rebroadcast from June 21, 2022.

What is the journey for a young person choosing to pursue full-time church work education? Elizabeth Crawford, Elementary Education Major, Lutheran Teacher Diploma Student at Concordia University, Nebraska, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about her faith formation growing up, how she decided to pursue a Lutheran teacher vocation, how her teachers have formed her through her years in Lutheran education, how she chose Concordia Nebraska, and how she is preparing to enter college as a freshman.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

A new classical Lutheran high school completed its first year on the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE). How did Trinity Academy start, and how does this unique educational opportunity serve both Academy and CUNE students? Dr. Gabriel Haley — English professor at Concordia University, Nebraska, headmaster of Trinity Academy at Concordia University, Nebraska, and Trinity Academy parent, and Mr. John Rabe — Trinity Academy parent, join Sarah to talk about how the idea for Trinity Academy began, what makes this high school unique, the partnership between Trinity Academy and Concordia Nebraska, why they chose to send their children to Trinity Academy, and the exciting things in store for next year. Learn more about Trinity Academy at trinityacademycune.org and read the press release about Trinity Academy's successful first year at cune.edu/news/trinity-academy-concludes-first-school-year-worship-service-student-recognitions-and-special-cross-presentation.
 
 Trinity Academy provides a Christ-centered high school education that assists parents in the cultivation of knowledge, self-discipline and virtue in their children. Trinity offers a classical liberal arts education, involving the study of foundational sources within an integrated curriculum that encourages students to pursue truth, goodness and beauty.

How does taking risks help us overcome life's sorrows? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 7 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about overcoming through taking risks, including God's message to Jeremiah and exiles in Babylon, what this message means for followers of Jesus today, why God cares if we disconnect from society and relationships with others, the kinds of risks God gave Jeremiah to engage, and what this means for us today.
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

Rev. Richard Woelmer — pastor of University Lutheran Church at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and Julianna Shults, DCE — Program Manager with LCMS Youth Ministry, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the importance of campus ministry for college students, why it is critical in this stage of life to stay connected to Word and Sacrament ministry, what is essential to campus ministry, how LCMS campus ministry works, and how to get connected to an LCMSU chapter. Learn more about University Lutheran Church at indianalutheran.com/home.
 
 Campus ministry resources:
 
 LCMSU Student Information Form: lcms.org/campus-ministry/lcms-u-campus-link
 LCMSU Chapter Locator: lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/campus-ministry/lcms-u-chapter-map
 LCMS Church Locator: locator.lcms.org/church (Advanced Search > Ministry Type to find campus ministry churches)
 
 This program originally aired August 24, 2023.

CPH has exciting new resources! Jonathan Schultz, President and CEO of Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and Elizabeth Pittman, Director of Public Relations for CPH, join Andy and Sarah to talk about two new valuable resources for faithful daily life from Concordia Publishing House: The Lutheran Study Bible app, available for both iOS and Android, and Resilient Minds: Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum for middle school. Hear how the app was developed, how it's helpful specifically for Lutherans, why we need a Christ-centered mental health curriculum today, and how Resilient Minds can be implemented by teachers who are not mental health professionals. Find The Lutheran Study Bible app at cph.org/the-lutheran-study-bible-app and find the Resilient Minds curriculum at teachthefaith.cph.org/resilient-minds.

How does a family make the transition to Seminary? Ross and Jenni George, a new seminary family at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about Ross's first career and how he made the decision to pursue pastoral ministry, how the Divine Service and community at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston helped to shape him, the conversations through the discernment process, how his previous experience has prepared him for Seminary, and their move across the country to Fort Wayne from Texas.
 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What's life like serving as missionaries in Puerto Rico? The Rev. Adam and Christine Lehman, serving the Lord in Puerto Rico, join Andy to talk about their path to serving as missionaries, how they serve in Puerto Rico and who they serve alongside, how their previous experience prepared them to serve in this new mission field, and what they are looking forward to in the next year. Read the Lehmans' story and how to support their work at lcms.org/lehman.

What is shalom and where is it for followers of Jesus? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 6 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about what shalom is, where we see the word "shalom" in Scripture, what we seek instead of shalom, and where followers of Jesus find shalom.
 
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

Summer is a popular time for weddings, and 1 Peter 3:1–7 has much to say about Holy Matrimony. Although marriage was created in Paradise and remains a good gift of God, the first couple’s sin caused it to become a “marred blessing” (LW 1:71) with various difficulties placed upon them and their descendants: enmity with Satan, pain in childbearing, conflict between man and wife, difficulty providing for daily needs, and death (Genesis 3:15–19). For this reason, the New Testament not only proclaims the Offspring of the woman who would defeat Satan (Genesis 3:15) but also addresses how Christians are to live together in the community of Holy Matrimony.
 
 Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "The Community of Marriage" on 1 Peter 3:1–7. This year, "Searching Scripture" is themed "Elect Exiles" and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us!
 
 Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.
 
 1 Peter 3:1–7
 Wives and Husbands
 
 3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
 
 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
 
 Read full chapter
 
 Footnotes
 1 Peter 3:7 Some manuscripts since you are joint heirs
 
 English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

What does it mean to shadow a missionary in a foreign country? Tabitha Dubke — Shadow a Missionary Participant, Mindy Thews — LCMS Lutheran Education Coordinator in Taiwan, and Ariana Gomez — LCMS Missionary Recruitment Manager, join Andy to talk about what sparked Tabitha's interest in shadowing a missionary, how she saw Mindy and other missionaries at work, what it means to Mindy to have others interested in missionary work, and what Shadow a Missionary opportunities are available in the future. Find opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org/opp/shadow-a-missionary. Learn more about the program on a previous Coffee Hour episode kfuo.org/2023/01/13/coffee-hour-011323-shadow-a-missionary-program-opportunities, and learn more about Mindy and how to support her work at lcms.org/thews.

Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen — Provost and Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, and Rev. Dr. Ronald Mudge — Provost and Chief Academic Officer and Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, join Andy and guest co-host Rev. Dr. James Baneck for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their journeys into church work, the various aspects of seminary life that shaped their individual pastoral formation, what has changed in pastoral formation and seminary life since their days in seminary, and the rigors of current seminary education.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 This program originally aired October 27, 2023.

How is Lutheran Heritage Foundation bringing the Good News of Jesus to people in many languages? Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise — Executive Director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), and Rev. Dr. Ted NaThalang — Translation Coordinator for Asia with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Translation Summit tied to the LCMS National Offering from the 2023 Synodical Convention, where both Dr. Heise and Dr. NaThalang have been able to travel, the impact of the many books LHF is able to produce, and upcoming projects for LHF. Learn more about the National Offering in the Coffee Hour episode here: kfuo.org/2023/02/28/coffee-hour-022823-lcms-national-offering and find Lutheran Heritage Foundation at LHFmissions.org.

How do we persist through the tests or trials of life in this broken world? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 5 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about overcoming through persistence, where we see this theme of persistence in Jeremiah's story, the difference between persistence with commitment to God’s calling and being stuck in a rut, how our perspective impact our persistence, how we persist through the tests or trials of life, and what it means to be persistent in hope.
 
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

What is the Lutheran World Federation, and how do they differ theologically from the LCMS and our partner churches today? Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, LCMS Church Relations Director, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about ecumenism and how Lutherans have historically approached it, how and why the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) began, what was accomplished through the collaborative efforts of churches in the LWF, and how the LWF differs theologically from the LCMS and our partner churches today. Download and read Dr. Shaw's paper at resources.lcms.org/reading-study/church-relations-the-lutheran-world-federation-today.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about teens and emotions, including what might be in the emotional soup a teenager experiences, how changes in things like educational settings and biology can affect the emotional soup, and what parents and other adults who care about youth can do for our teens. Find the blog post mentioned at heidigoehmann.com/articles/the-truth-about-mental-health-teens-and-emotions-1.
 
 Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel.
 
 Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.
 
 View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.
 
 This program originally aired May 8, 2023.

How does the Divine Service form Christians and church workers? Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and LCMS International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how the Lord guided him to become a pastor, how his love for church music and worship developed, who has most shaped his understanding and love of worship, how the Divine Service formed him as a Christian and pastor, and the importance of the Divine Service in forming church workers.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

KFUO Radio has been expanding, and now you can hear us all over the St. Louis metro area on FM stations! Gary Duncan, Executive Director of LCMS Radio / KFUO Radio, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where we've been over the last 100 years, how KFUO has stayed at the forefront of technology since 1924, and how we came to own multiple AM and FM stations in the St. Louis area. Find coverage maps for the new FM and AM frequencies below.
 
 
 KFUO Radio FM (and legacy AM)
 
 92.7 FM: St. Charles County radio-locator.com/info/K224FT-FX
 
 104.5 FM: Metro East, downtown St. Louis, and North St. Louis County radio-locator.com/info/K283CI-FX
 105.3 FM: Mid-St. Louis County and North Jefferson County radio-locator.com/info/K287BY-FX
 
 850 AM radio-locator.com/info/KFUO-AM
 
 KXFN (sacred music and prayer)
 
 1380 AM radio-locator.com/info/KXFN-AM

It's time for a new KFUO Radio intern! Benjamin Crawford, KFUO's Summer Intern, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what he's studying in college, why he was interested in the KFUO Radio internship, what he's learned so far and what he's looking forward to, and our classic Lightning Round of favorites.

How might the Lord use tests in our lives? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 4 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about what it means for God to test us, how God's Word describes the state of our hearts, the difference between Biblical usage of "heart" and how we use it today, how tests were a part of Jeremiah's life, and how God provides for us through the tests.
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

How do churches serve their immediate communities, and what does an LCMS Chaplain do? Rev. Jeremy Gorline, pastor of Child of God Lutheran Church and School in St. Peters, MO (KFUO Radio's Church of the Week), and US Navy Reserve Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how Child of God Lutheran Church and School serves the community, how Rev. Gorline serves as an LCMS Chaplain, how Chaplains serve in the Armed Forces, and how his role as a Reserve Chaplain impacts and shapes the ministry at Child of God. Learn more about Child of God Lutheran Church and School at coglcs.com.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. How do we understand depression and help our loved ones with depression? Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs — author of Making Christian Counseling More Christ Centered (WestBow Press, 2019), Senior Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, LCMS Pastor, and Licensed Psychologist, joins Andy and Sarah for Mental Health Monday to talk about the sorts of questions that people with mental disorders ask themselves and their counselors, how we help children understand mental disorders, what is the key to know when we need to seek help, a helpful way to think about depression, and the role of a pastor in treatment of depression. Find Dr. Marrs' booklet from Lutheran Hour Ministries Journey Through Depression at shoplhm.org/journey-through-depression.
 
 Find Dr. Marrs' book at westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/779045-Making-Christian-Counseling-More-Christ-Centered.
 
 Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the tag "Mental Health Monday."

What's the journey to becoming a deaconess student? Virginia Schweigert, deaconess student beginning in Fall 2024, and her pastor Rev. Warren Woerth, Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how Virginia learned about the deaconess vocation, why she was interested in pursuing this vocation as a second career, how her previous vocations will serve her in this work, how this journey has influence the congregation at Good Shepherd, and why forming church workers is important to both Pastor Woerth and Good Shepherd.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Where did the day of Pentecost come from, and how do we observe it today? Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and Chaplain for the LCMS International Center, joins Andy and Pastor Cleland to talk about the history of the day of Pentecost. We look at the origins in the biblical Feast of Weeks and the Church's observance of Pentecost today.
 
 This program originally aired May 20, 2021.

Is it possible to make idols out of good things in life? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 3 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about how we define idols, how we take good gifts and twist them into idols, how we get rid of these idols, and how our ever-present God addresses our loneliness and discouragement.
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

How does the host of Sharper Iron connect the radio ministry to his home congregation? Rev. Timothy Appel, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL (KFUO Radio's Church of the Week), and host of Sharper Iron on KFUO Radio, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what makes Faith Lutheran Church unique, how children and adults are formed in the faith, how the saints at Faith serve each other and the surrounding community, and how hosting Sharper Iron serves not only the wide KFUO audience but also Faith Lutheran Church. Find Faith Lutheran Church at flcgodfrey.org and all episodes of Sharper Iron at kfuo.org/category/sharper-iron.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Why is this important to us as Christians, and how do we understand the national conversation about mental health? Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs — author of Making Christian Counseling More Christ Centered (WestBow Press, 2019), Senior Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, LCMS Pastor, and Licensed Psychologist, joins Andy and Sarah for Mental Health Monday to talk about how many people in the US are affected by health problems or mental disorders, why it's important to talk about Mental Health, how people with Mental Disorders still get treated differently than people with physical illnesses like cancer or heart disease or diabetes, how attitudes about mental health have changed with each generation, and where we see mental health conversations normalized in culture now.
 
 Find Dr. Marrs' book at westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/779045-Making-Christian-Counseling-More-Christ-Centered.
 
 Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the tag "Mental Health Monday."

What is a Director of Church Ministries (DCM) program, and how are these students prepared to serve the Church? Paige Mielke — sophomore DCM student at Concordia University Wisconsin, and Grace Sugg — senior DCM student going to serve at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec (Partnering with Mission of Christ Network), join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the Director of Church Ministries program at Concordia University Wisconsin, why they each chose to pursue church work and the DCM program in particular, how their classes and formation have affirmed their interest in serving the church as a DCM, the classes they've taken to prepare to serve as a DCM, and their plans for the coming year. Learn mor about the Director of Church Ministries program at Concordia University Wisconsin at cuw.edu/academics/programs/director-church-ministries-bachelors/index.html.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

What does it take to organize and prepare for a Hymn Festival? Dr. John Behnke — Organist at Trinity Lutheran Church of Southwest Florida, Composer, and Professor Emeritus of Concordia University Wisconsin, and Mark Thoelke — Director of Worship and Music at Zion Lutheran Church Harvester in St. Charles, MO, join Sarah and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about Dr. Behnke's journey into serving as a church musician, where his love for music began, how he began to compose music, and where he studied and grew as a musician. Mark Thoelke shares about the history of the hymn festival at Zion and how Dr. Behnke has been a part of the hymn festival at Zion. Learn more about Zion and their events at zionharvester.org/churchevents.
 
 Watch the performance of this hymn festival on YouTube at youtu.be/kSeINiHRdvw?si=5_tJGvlmYyA71SLc.

What does Jeremiah teach us about God’s Word? Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah, joins Andy and Sarah for Part 2 of our series on Overcoming Life's Sorrows to talk about the role of a prophet, what Jeremiah teaches us about God's Word, how Jeremiah interacts with God's Word in unique ways (see: eating a scroll), where Jesus is in the words of Jeremiah, and how Jeremiah uses God's Word.
 
 Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing is Professor of Theology & Ministry, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul, and author of Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah available from Concordia Publishing House. Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/overcoming-lifes-sorrows.

What are the latest happenings at The Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Germany? Rev. Dr. Wilhem Weber, Managing Director of the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg and The Old Latin School in Wittenberg, joins Andy and guest co-host Aubrey Blank (KFUO Radio intern) to talk about the purpose of The Old Latin School, how Ukrainian refugees are being served at the Old Latin School and why this is important to them, how The Old Latin School is meeting the housing needs of refugees moving to Wittenberg, how The Old Latin School partners with other Lutheran organizations, the exciting additions to the library, and how daily prayer and corporate worship are a part of life at the Old Latin School. Learn more, including how to support and visit The Old Latin School, at oldlatinschool.org.

What work is happening in the Asia region of the LCMS Office of International Mission? Rev. Dr. Charles Ferry — Asia Regional Director with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and Sam Borgwardt — Asia Regional Business Manager with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how big the Asia region is, the recent projects including a seminary and music conservatory, the partners they work with to carry out this work, what life looks like for those serving in Taiwan, and how the recent earthquakes affected their work. Learn more about the Asia region at international.lcms.org/asia. Find Rev. Ferry and how to support his work at lcms.org/ferry, and find Sam and how to support his work at lcms.org/borgwardt.

What is the Vicarage Placement Service and what's it like to experience this? Henry and Stacey Eising, second-year seminarian family at Concordia Seminary, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about what a vicarage is, what preparation happens before vicarage assignment day, how field work and classes prepared Henry to serve, the planning that happens before moving for vicarage year, and what happens after vicarage. 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

This issue of LW encourages us to be a praying community. First Peter 2 presents Jesus as the Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep on the cross, which brings to mind two of Jesus’ prayers from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46; see also, Psalm 31:5). While the Righteous One suffered for sinners in order to reconcile them to God, He also showed us how to be patient under affliction and where to turn for help: His Father and ours, to whom we baptized children of God cry out, “Our Father…”
 
 
 Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the May 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "The Shepherd’s Community" on 1 Peter 2:11-25. This year, "Searching Scripture" is themed "Elect Exiles" and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us!
 
 Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.
 
 1 Peter 2:11–25
 
 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
 
 Submission to Authority
 
 13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[a] whether it be to the emperor[b] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[c] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
 
 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
 
 Read full chapter
 
 Footnotes
 1 Peter 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people
 1 Peter 2:13 Or king; also verse 17
 1 Peter 2:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
 
 English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org