The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Emily Sitzes, Director of Community Wellness at LSS Laclede Groves in Webster Groves, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the new Harmony Garden at LSS Laclede Groves, including how music plays a role in wellness for the members of the LSS community, what prompted the idea for a harmony garden, what can be found in the harmony garden at Laclede Groves, and how residents are making use of this new feature. Read more at lssliving.org/news/resources/music-for-all-in-harmony-garden.
 
 Diane Sinclair, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement with Lutheran Senior Services, then talks about volunteer opportunities with Senior Connections Plus, including how volunteering with LSS Senior Connections Plus makes a difference both for LSS residents and for the volunteers, examples of relationships that grew out of this volunteer opportunity, qualifications and training for volunteers, and how to apply. Learn more at lssliving.org/news/resources/building-connections-one-life-at-a-time-volunteer-with-senior-connections-plus.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Jastram, serving the Lord in Asia in Tokyo, Japan, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his journey to serving as a missionary, the work he does while in Japan, how his time growing up in Japan influences the work he does now, the need for theology and worship resources in Japan, the current state of Lutheranism in Japan, and what family life is like in Tokyo. Learn more about the Jastram family and how to support their work at lcms.org/jastram.

Rev. Juan Zamora — Assistant Pastor and Apostolic Missionary at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Irving, TX, Lead Mission Developer for T2C2 (Together Transforming Churches and Communities), and President of the Hispanic Missionary League, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his work in Hispanic Ministry, what Hispanic / Spanish-speaking ministry looks like across the United States, how people can reach out to those around them who may not know the Gospel of Jesus, how the Hispanic Missionary League is addressing church worker recruitment, and how the Set Apart to Serve resources benefit Hispanic Ministry. Learn more about the Hispanic Missionary League at hispanoslcms.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.

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)

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about why and where leadership is important, who benefits from talking about leadership, what Biblical leadership is and where we see leadership styles in Scripture, and what we'll cover in this series.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Deaconess Kristin Wassilak — Interim Dean of the College of Theology, Assistant Professor of Theology, and Program Lead for Deaconess Studies at Concordia University Chicago, Katie Kaufmann — deaconess graduate from Concordia University Chicago, and Deaconess Danelle Putnam — serving as a career missionary through the LCMS in the Dominican Republic, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the recent Deaconess student trip to the Dominican Republic, including how they prepared for the trip, the people they met and worked alongside, they they learned on this trip, and how this experience shaped their understanding of deaconess ministry. Find how you can serve on short-term mission trips at servenow.lcms.org. Learn more about the Deaconess program at Concordia University Chicago at cuchicago.edu/deaconess and how to support the work of Deaconess Putnam at lcms.org/putnam.

Subha Kumpaty, D.Min., Ph.D. — Engineering Program Chair for Concordia University Wisconsin/Concordia University Ann Arbor, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his journey to doctoral degrees in theology and engineering, what he loves about both of these areas, how his faith informs his teaching as a professor and engineer, the new engineering degrees at CUW/AA, the outlook for engineering careers today, and how the engineering programs at CUW/AA will prepare students for successful careers. Learn more about these programs at cuw.edu.

Dr. Thaddeus Warren, DCE — Chair of Human and Social Sciences at Concordia University, Nebraska, and Maria Devenport, DCE — Director of Discipleship Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, join Andy for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their journeys to becoming church workers, what their formation as DCEs looked like, who supported and encouraged them to become church workers, and how they serve today. Learn more about the National Association of Directors of Christian Education at nadce.wildapricot.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.

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins Andy and Sarah at the Higher Things conference in Carbondale, IL, to talk about the breakaway session he taught to the young adults about dating within the faith, including the purpose of dating, how young adults should approach dating, the importance of dating someone of the same faith, and some questions he answered from the youth. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.

Rev. Steven and Martha Mahlburg, serving the Lord as missionaries in Sri Lanka, join Andy and Sarah at the Higher Things conference in Carbondale, IL, to talk about their journey to the mission field, the work they do as missionaries in Sri Lanka, the state of the Lutheran church in Sri Lanka, and exciting things happening in the future of the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church. Read the Mahlburgs' story and how to support their work at lcms.org/mahlburg.
 
 
 Read the Reporter article on the new church partner fellowship with the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church (and four other international church bodies) at reporter.lcms.org/2023/synod-convention-welcomes-new-partners-in-proclaiming-the-gospel.

Seminarian James Gramzow, summer vicar with Higher Things, joins Andy and Sarah from the Higher Things conference in Carbondale, IL, to talk about what a summer vicar does with Higher Things, how have hymns been a part of his faith formation and daily vocation, how hymns teach the faith, and some insights he shared with youth and adults in his breakaway session "Hymnody: The Sung Apologetic." Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.

Rev. Dr. Christian Tiews, serving the Lord in Germany, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about his upbringing in Germany and journey to the church and seminary, the work he does in Germany, how Iranian refugees receive the Gospel, and the challenges the refugees face. Learn more about Dr. Tiews and the work in Germany at lcms.org/tiews and facebook.com/christian.tiews.

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey into ministry, his vocation prior to becoming a pastor, how this experience shaped his vocational journey, how he serves today, and his encouragement especially for men to consider second-career church work as a pastor.
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.

Rev. Juan Pablo Lanterna — President of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile, and Rev. Alceu Alton Figur — President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about a history of their respective church bodies, what they have been learning at this Convention, the new Himnario Luterano for Spanish worship services, why it's important to have a hymnal with hymns from Latin America, and how partnership with the International Lutheran Council is helpful. Learn more about the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile at ilc-online.org/members/latin-america/chile and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay at ilc-online.org/members/latin-america/paraguay.
 
 Listen to more about Himnario Luterano in this Hymn Sing with Sarah episode from Lutheran Ladies' Lounge: kfuo.org/2022/09/16/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-155-hymn-sing-with-sarah-himnario-luterano-spanish-lutheran-hymnal

The Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola — bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen — medical doctor and longstanding member of the Finnish Parliament, join Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about a brief history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the marks of Finnish culture today, how Dr. Räsänen's vocation as physician enables her uniquely to serve her neighbors and church, what prompted the 2004 pamphlet (Man and Woman He Created Them: Homosexuality and the Challenge to the Christian Concept of Man), and how this pamphlet was received. Read more of this story at reporter.lcms.org/2022/finnish-lutherans-fully-acquitted and download the pamphlet at media.lhfmissions.org/file/lhf-missions/pdfs/English-Male-and-Female-He-Created-Them.pdf.

Rev. Robert Rahn, Founder of Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about how LHF began in 1992, where LHF has had the privilege of partnering with local believers to build a strong foundation for starting Lutheran churches, how the process of translating and publishing materials has developed since 1992, and stories from his years with LHF. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the August 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Count It All as Loss" on Philippians 3:1-7. This year, "Searching Scripture" will study the book of Philippians, so stay tuned each month for a new Bible study. Follow along 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.
 
 Philippians 3:1-7
 Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
 
 3 Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
 
 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
 
 Read full chapter
 
 
 Footnotes
 Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17
 
 Philippians 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit
 Philippians 3:6 Greek in the law
 
 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

Rear Admiral Gregory N. Todd — Navy Chaplain and 28th Chief of Navy Chaplains, and Rev. James Hopkins — Navy Chaplain, join Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their paths to becoming Navy Chaplains, the need for chaplains today, the most challenging and rewarding parts of serving as chaplains, and how others can serve as Navy Chaplains. Learn more about LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces at lcms.org/armedforces.
 
 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.

Eden Keefe, LWML President (elected 2023), joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention, to talk about how she got involved with the LWML, what the LWML "On the Go" podcast is, a recap of the recent LWML National Convention, and what she's looking forward to in the next Biennium. Learn more about the LWML at lwml.org.

Bishop Peter Anibati Abia of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to share a brief history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church South Sudan/Sudan, the prevailing religion in South Sudan/Sudan, how Lutherans are regarded in South Sudan and Sudan today, the current challenges in South Sudan and Sudan, and the newly minted partnership with the LCMS. Learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan at elcss-s.org.

Dr. Dinku Bato, Africa Area Director for Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about how he came to serve with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the nature of his work with LHF, and the various requests for Lutheran books and resources in Africa. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Dr. Ted NaThalang, Asia Area Director for Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about how he came to serve with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the nature of his work with LHF, and the various requests for Lutheran books and resources in Asia. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Chaplain Craig Muehler, Director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about the St. Martin of Tours Silver Medal, who St. Martin of Tours is, and the recipient of this award at the National Convention. Learn more about Synod Convention at lcms.org/convention and Ministry to the Armed Forces at lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces.

Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, Executive Assistant to the President of the LCMS South Wisconsin District, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about his role in the South Wisconsin District, this District's role in the National Convention this year, and what it means to be a Lutheran in Wisconsin. Find all things Convention at lcms.org/convention.

Matthew Machemer, Assistant Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series during Bach Week to talk about who helped him consider a career in church music, his path to where he is serving today, his responsibilities as a Kantor / Director of Parish Music, the influence of Bach in the role of a Kantor today, and what about Bach’s life and service to the Church has influenced him as a Kantor.
 
 Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.
 
 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.

Dr. Martin Dicke, former LCMS missionary in Papua New Guinea and board member for David’s Harp, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about Bach’s celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Lutheran Chorale in 1724 with the Chorale Cantata Cycle, what is unique about the Lutheran chorale, how Luther's influence on church music was carried on by Bach, how the Chorale Cantata Cycle has persisted the test of time, and the resources David's Harp is producing in celebration of Reformation-era Lutheran music. Learn more about David's Harp at davidsharpmusic.org.
 
 
 Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Paul Soulek — cantor of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, NE, and cantor for Higher Things, and Renata Peperkorn — Higher Things Summer Cantoral Intern, join Andy and Sarah at Higher Things in Carbondale, IL, to talk about their duties as Cantor and Cantoral Intern at Higher Things, what worship looks like at a Higher Things conference, their teaching about the work of church musicians and hymnody to the youth at Higher Things, and how Bach has played a role in their formation as church musicians. Learn more at Higher Things at higherthings.org.
 
 Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Dr. Jonathan Wessler, Kantor at First Lutheran Church in Boston, MA, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about Liturgy in Bach’s Leipzig, including the role of the cantata in the service, how hymn singing worked in those days versus what we're used to now, the “pulpit service” and preaching and its associated music, and music in the service and how everything except the sermon was sung.
 
 Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Rev. Brian Hamer, active duty Navy Chaplain and author of Cantatas Over Coffee - J. S. Bach Cantata 75, “The Poor Shall Eat and be Satisfied”, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about why Cantata 75 is so unique to Bach's Leipzig heritage, the liturgical context for Cantata 75, Hamer's Highlights for the Cantata, how the people of Leipzig reacted to the cantata, and the beautiful hymn we have inherited from the Cantata. Read Chaplain Hamer's article at whatdoesthismean.org/lifted-voice--brian-hamer/cantatas-over-coffee-j-s-bach-cantata-75-the-poor-shall-eat-and-be-satisfied and find Lutheran Service Book 760 "What God ordains is always good" at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/760.
 
 
 Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Erica Sorensen — Executive Director for Higher Things, and Rev. Harrison Goodman — Content Executive for Higher Things, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the mission of Higher Things, how Higher Things facilitates conversations with youth about considering full-time church work, how Higher Things supports church workers in their vocations, and why conferences are important for teaching the faith to youth. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.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.

Lars Gindler and Stephen Christian, CCVs at Higher Things in Carbondale, IL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what a CCV (College Conference Volunteer) does to make conferences run smoothly, what they've learned as they've served in this way, why it's important for them to serve, and how this experience shapes their thoughts about future vocations. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Oliver, serving the Lord in Taiwan and the Asia Region, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how he serves in Taiwan, mission projects happening in the Asia region, exciting new things happening in the Asia region, and the current project he's working on. Learn more about the Oliver family and how to support their work at lcms.org/oliver.

Rev. Carl, Chenhsi, and Lydia Hanson, Serving the Lord in South Korea, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they serve in South Korea, the community where International Lutheran Church is in Seoul, their transitions on the mission field, and how they share the Gospel in their community. Learn more about the Hansons and how to support their work at lcms.org/hanson and International Lutheran Church at ilcseoul.org.

Dr. Jonathan Butterfield — Head of School at Lutheran High School South in St Louis, Savannah Butterfield and Aidan Toner — Lutheran High School South students, and Erin MacKenzie — missionary serving the Lord in Latin America and the Caribbean based in the Dominican Republic, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their time serving in the Dominican Republic, how they prepared for their service, who they interacted with in the Dominican Republic, what they learned from this trip, and how this experience impacted their thoughts and plans for the future. Learn more about serving on a short term team at servenow.lcms.org.

Lisa Clark — Senior Editor for Curriculum Resources with Concordia Publishing House (CPH), and Jonathan Schultz — President and CEO of Concordia Publishing House, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how they came to be at CPH, the Set Apart to Serve curriculum currently in development, how a curriculum like this is developed, how this curriculum will benefit churches and schools, and who will receive this curriculum when it is released. Follow updates on this exciting project at lcms.org/sas.
 
 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.

Rehema Kavugha, Director of Synod Relations for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Synod 175 Student Art Contest from LCEF, including why LCEF created this contest, who was eligible, the response they received, and what the winners received.
 
 
 Then, some of the winners share about their artwork! These winners are: Lorraine Hester, Ava Anderson, Alayna Schnare, Lucia Schnare, Isaiah Schnare, Juda Schnare, Noah Casper, Sophia Williams (and Mrs. Leamon), Pearl Curtis, Eve Curtis, Arabella Blakely, Eli Boehmer, Chase Erickson, Irene Ball, and Serena Baumgarn.
 
 Learn more about this art contest and the full list of winners at lcef.org/artcontest.

Ruth Meyer, author of N is for Nativity: Christmas from A to Z and Our Faith from A to Z, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where the idea began to write an alphabet book on the Christmas story, the creative process for writing an alphabet book, and how families can enjoy this new book for Christmas. Find her books at cph.org/n-is-for-nativity-christmas-from-a-to-z, cph.org/our-faith-from-a-to-z, and ruthmeyerbooks.com.

Rev. Bryan Roberts, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Pevely, MO, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the needs of the community in Jefferson County, how LCMS congregations in Jefferson County work together to meet the needs of this community, what is available at Grace Day, and how this day supports families in the Jefferson County area. Learn more about Zion Pevely and Grace Day at zionpevely.com and facebook.com/zionpevely.

FLAME, Lutheran artist and author of "Extra Nos: Discovering Grace outside Myself," available now from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his journey into the Lutheran faith, the people who were influential in this journey from childhood, how his love of rap music blossomed into more than just a hobby, how he discovered Lutheran theology, and why clarity in theology and confession is a top priority for him. Find FLAME's book at cph.org/extranos and all things Extra Nos Academy at extranosacademy.com.

Andy and Sarah talk with presenters at the upcoming CCLE Conference XXIII at Concordia University Nebraska, July 18-21. Rev. Robert Paul, Headmaster of Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX, talks about "Culture Cultivation and the Administrator’s Role," including the role of an administrator in creating school culture and parents also play a role. Rev. Phillip Fischaber, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut, IL, talks about "Teaching Latin and Other Languages the Lutheran Way," including why Latin and other languages important today and how teachers can teach Latin to their students. Matt Rivers, Parent and Volunteer Instructor in Music at Faith Lutheran High School in Plano, TX, talks about "Teaching Hymn Composition to High School Students," including what happens when we set high expectations for our students and how he teaches hymn composition to high schoolers.
 
 Learn more about CCLE Conference XXIII at live.eventtia.com/en/6340/Home and the work of CCLE at ccle.org.

Bill Schranz — Director of Education & Synodical Careers and Director of Colloquy at Concordia University Nebraska, and Lead Placement Director for the Concordia University System, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his path to becoming a Lutheran teacher, the process of formation to placement for commissioned church workers, his role as placement director in the formation and placement of commissioned church workers, what Synod and Concordia Universities are doing to address the church worker shortage, and what you can do to begin addressing a shortage in 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.

Amy Hubach — DCE Internship Placement Coordinator and Assistant Professor at Concordia University Nebraska, Deaconess Caitlin Ramirez — LCMS missionary serving the Lord in Peru, and Anne Gonzalez — Manager of Short-term Mission Training & Engagement with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about serving on an international short-term mission team, learning about tradition and culture in Peru, how they served while in Peru, how these teams are a great partnership with missionaries in the region, and upcoming opportunities to serve as an international volunteer with the LCMS. Learn about opportunities at servenow.lcms.org.

Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, Jr, President of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, joins Andy and Sarah for our History of Lutheranism in America series to talk about the formation of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, including the people who began the ground work for forming what became The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the challenges that they faced, how the creation of our Synod happened, and what we can we learn from our history that would be helpful as we gather for convention this year.
 
 Find all three episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/history-of-lutheranism-in-america.

Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how we understand “vocation” from a Biblical perspective, the difference between vocation and career, how Martin Luther understood and taught about vocation, what it means to be a "mask of God," and how we see vocation playing out in different areas of our lives. Read Dr. Gimbel's insightful article from The Canadian Lutheran at canadianlutheran.ca/on-vocatio.
 
 This is a rebroadcast from August 24, 2022.

Rev. Roger James, Assistant to the General Secretary for the International Lutheran Council, joins Andy and guest co-host Rev. Brady Finnern at the 2023 LWML National Convention to talk about who makes up the International Lutheran Council, why this Council was formed, the church bodies that are active members (including the LCMS), and what is accomplished through this partnership. Learn more about the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org.

Mike Schiemann, Principal of Bethany Lutheran School in Parma, Ohio, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how the church and church work were a part of his childhood and youth, when he began thinking about church work as a possible vocation, how church worker formation different in the Lutheran Church-Canada than The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, what his formation as a Lutheran teacher looked like, and his advice for a young adult or college student who is uncertain about what their future vocations and callings might be.
 
 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.

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the English District of the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah at the 2023 LWML National Convention to talk about his book Pastoral Leadership available from Concordia Publishing House, including his background in leadership, how he defines pastoral leadership, when learning about leadership happens, how we learn from mistakes, what it means to be a leader not a follower, and why listening is critically important. Find his book at books.cph.org/pastoral-leadership.

Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, Jr, President of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, joins Andy and Sarah for our History of Lutheranism in America series to talk about how churches began to organize into large synods, how language played a role in the development of these synods, challenges these Lutherans faced, and two important characters in this story: C.F.W. Walther and Martin Stephan.
 
 Find all three episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/history-of-lutheranism-in-america.

Rev. Charles Ferry, Regional Director for Asia Region with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah at the 2023 LWML National Convention to talk about what countries make up the Asia Region, the creation of a music conservatory in Taiwan, how music is a key bridge into communities in Asia, other exciting things happening in the Region, and the need for partner churches in this Region. Learn more about what's happening in Asia at lcms.org/asia and learn more about Rev. Ferry at lcms.org/ferry.

Rev. Ed and Sheryl Dewitt, Founders of Redeeming Life Outreach in Sanford, Florida, join Andy and Sarah live at the 2023 LWML National Convention to talk about how Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries began, why this ministry is so important to them, how this ministry helps women with unplanned pregnancies, the need for this type of outreach, and how Redeeming Life is expanding. Learn more at rlom.org.