The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Apologetics 101 Workshop at Zion Lutheran, including what "apologetics" actually means, why apologetics is important to him, how we can use apologetics in our conversations, and the lineup of speakers. Learn more at sidlcms.org/2023/08/13/apologetics-101-apologetics-workshop.

Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan — President of the LCMS Missouri District, and Josh Swartz — Director of Schools for the LCMS Missouri District, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how how Concordia Universities and Seminaries are unique, how attending these institutions was important for both of them, what College Fair participants will experience, and how to attend. Learn more at mo.lcms.org/college-fair.

Josh Douglas, Gift Planning Advocate with LCMS Mission Advancement, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why he joined LCMS Mission Advancement, what a Gift Planning Advocate does, how he builds relationships with people across Synod as he helps them plan their giving, why joyful giving matters, and how to start the process of a long-term gift for the LCMS. Learn more at giftplanning.lcms.org.

Jennifer Glicker, Principal of Hephatha Lutheran School in Anaheim Hills, CA, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about what led her to Hephatha Lutheran School, her work in public schools before coming to Lutheran schools, the colloquy process she went through to become a commissioned rostered worker in the LCMS, why it was important for her to become a commissioned rostered worker, the work she does now as a Lutheran school principal, and her advice to other educators who are considering a second career as a LCMS educator. Find Hephatha Lutheran School at school.hephatha.net.
 
 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. David Gruenwald, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, and Libby Gutberlet, CEO of the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), join Andy and Sarah to talk about why Lutheran Schools are important for kids and families, how Lutheran education has made a different for both of their families, how LESA supports Lutheran schools and families in the St. Louis area, and the upcoming Brew in the Lou fundraising event for LESA. Learn more about LESA at lesastl.org and find more information and tickets for Brew in the Lou at brewinthelou.com.

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 responsibilities in the office of Pastoral Leader, including how the success of others is important to the role of the leader, why words must match actions of the leader, how manual labor can be a valuable experience for leaders, and how to use relationships to read underneath someone's criticisms.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Rev. Stephen Starke — published hymnwriter and retired Pastor of St. John Amelith Lutheran Church in Bay City, MI, Bary Bobb — published composer of choral and organ music and Director of the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago, and Dr. Steven Wente — Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Lectures in Church Music happening at Concordia University Chicago October 15-17, 2023. They discuss the history of this event and how it has served church musicians over the years, Pastor Starke's plenary session on congregational singing, how congregational singing binds us together as a congregation, Barry Bobb's workshop on American Lutheran Hymnals Since 1993, and why it's important to study a variety of hymnals in American Lutheranism. Learn more, see the full schedule and workshop lineup and register at cuchicago.edu/events/2023/10/lectures-in-church-music.

Daniel Jenkins, President of Lutheran Braille Workers, and Nate Paredes, CFO of Lutheran Braille Workers, join Andy to talk about how many people are blind or visually impaired worldwide and in the US, what resources like Bibles are available to the blind and visually impaired, some roadblocks to resources like these being widely available, how LBW is meeting the needs of these people, and stories of lives who have been impacted by Lutheran Braille Workers. Learn more about Lutheran Braille Workers at lbwloveworks.org.

Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva, R.N. — serving at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA, and Founding director of Always Mercy, a US non-profit supporting the work of Rehema Open Door hospice and palliative care center in Kenya — joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about when she first learned about the office of deaconess, the path from serving as a parish nurse to a deaconess, what these service roles have in common, the focus of her service as a deaconess today, and how many experiences in countries around the world have led to Always Mercy and the Rehema Open Doors hospice and palliative care center in Kenya. Learn more about Always Mercy at alwaysmercy.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. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, Chair of the LCMS Board for National Mission, and author of the forthcoming book Faith that Shines in the Culture from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how this book fits into his trilogy of books about faith and culture, how we understand vocation as Lutherans, our vertical relationship with God and horizontal relationships with our neighbors, what "light" has to do with all of this, and how we understand vocation within the three estates. Find your copy of Faith that Shines in the Culture at cph.org/faith-that-shines-in-the-culture.

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 learning from your mistakes as a leader, understanding the beauty of forgiveness even for leaders, responding to criticism, leading the perpetually unhappy person, where the 8th commandment plays into this conversation, and how a leader works through betrayal.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Rev. Peter Bender, Director of the Concordia Catechetical Academy, and Rev. Dr. Al Espinosa, member of the board of directors for the Concordia Catechetical Academy, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what catechesis is, what the Catechism is, why catechesis is important, how the Concordia Catechetical Academy began, how the Concordia Catechetical Academy serves the church at large, and how the status as a Recognized Service Organization will help them better carry out this faithful work. Find the Concordia Catechetical Academy at peacesussex.org/cca.

Rev. Stephen Kieser, Headmaster of Faith Lutheran School in Plano, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about classical Lutheran education, the marks of classical Lutheran education, why classical education has become a growing movement, why classical education works for Lutherans, the value schools being distinctly Lutheran, and the upcoming golf tournament to support Faith Lutheran School. Learn more about Faith Lutheran School at flsplano.org.

Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray, LCMS Director of LCMS Black Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey to the LCMS and then to the pastoral ministry, his experiences as a Black Lutheran pastor, the work that LCMS Black Ministry and the Black Clergy Caucus do today, and the opportunities he sees for these ministries to use SAS resources to encourage young people to consider church work vocations. Find LCMS Black Ministry at lcms.org/blackministry.
 
 
 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. Kevin Graudin — volunteer for missionary kid programming at the Eurasia Region missionary conference, and Anne Gonzalez — Manager of Short-Term Mission Training and Engagement with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Pastor Graudin's experience serving in short-term international mission, what his responsibilities were on the team taking care of the missionary kids, what he learned on this experience, and how this experience compares to other short-term volunteer opportunities. Find more missionary kid program volunteer opportunities and other ways to serve at servenow.lcms.org.

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 keeping the focus on leadership, maintaining purpose and motivation, being proactive in leadership, managing criticism and fear, and being a leader instead of a follower.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Chelsea Irwin, serving the Lord in the Eurasia Region as missionary coordinator for volunteer opportunities based out of the Czech Republic, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what she does as coordinator for volunteer opportunities, what is most rewarding and challenging about this work, what she loves about living and serving in the Czech Republic, how her education and experience have prepared her for this work, and what she loves about being a young adult missionary. Learn more about Chelsea and how to support her work at lcms.org/irwin.

Mindy Thews, serving as Lutheran Education Coordinator in Taiwan with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her new role as Lutheran Education Coordinator for the Asia region, what education looks like in Taiwan, what curriculum and pedagogy look like on the mission field, the materials available for Lutheran education in Taiwan, and what's on the horizon for her and this new position. Learn more about Mindy and how to support her work at lcms.org/thews.

Rev Dr. Kurt Taylor, Director of Church Ministries program director for Concordia Wisconsin, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the role and job description of an average Director of Church Ministries, why DCMs are so important in our church and support the pastor in the congregation, what specialties exist within the DCM program, and how this program appeals to individuals who are looking for a second career in a church work capacity.
 
 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.

Deaconess Lorraine Roach — LCMS Ukraine Project Consultant - U.S., and Rev. Mark Sell — pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fenton, MO, join Andy to talk about how Our Savior in Fenton became sponsors for a Ukrainian refugee family, how the congregation has been able to support them, how LCMS congregations can support Ukrainian refugees like Our Savior in Fenton has done, how the LCMS Grants help congregations carry out this kind of mercy work. Learn more at lcms.org/serve/grants/ukraine-refugee-grant-program.

Dr. Jinah Yoo Knapp, Music Director at Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, along with violinist Amadi Azikiwe and pianist Min Ji Kwon, join Andy to talk about the upcoming concert at Timothy Lutheran Church, including their careers as professional musicians, how music is an important part of Timothy's ministry, and what to know about the pieces at this concert. Learn more at timothystl.org/events/timothy-autumn-concert/2023-09-16.
 
 
 September 16th at 4:00pm
 
 Program:
 
 Deliver my Soul - David Baker (1931-2016) - Blues 
 
 Zigeunerweisen, op. 20 - Pablo de Sarasate (1844- 1908) - Dramatic
 
 Suite for Violin and Piano - William Grant Still (1895-1978)
 
 African Dancer
 Mother and Child
 Gamin 
 
 Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major, op. 12 no. 3 - Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
 
 Allegro con spirito
 Adagio con molta espressione - in C major
 Rondo: Allegro molto

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 the struggles and difficulties while leading.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the September 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “All Is Rubbish Compared to Christ” on Philippians 3:7-11. 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.

Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, Associate Director of Eurasia for the LCMS and Chair of the Systematics Department for Luther Academy in Rīga, Latvia, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about today's age of Humanitarian ethics and the mission of Humanitarianism, how identity plays a role in this worldview, where we see these ethics at play today, and how to recognize and combat these ethics in our families and congregations.
 
 Learn more about the Lutheran Church in Latvia, Dr. Bombaro's work with Luther Academy, and the LCMS Eurasia region at engage.lcms.org/latvia-spring-2021.
 
 This is a rebroadcast from January 13, 2022.

Rev. Dr. James Baneck — LCMS Executive Director of Pastoral Education and the Set Apart to Serve Initiative, and Michael Ten Clay — Manager with Standing Partnership, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about why we invest in recruiting future church workers, how Set Apart to Serve provides a framework for all LCMS members to encourage youth and adults to consider church work, what we've learned with the pilot partners that will be shared in the Set Apart to Serve Town Hall, where we've already seen Set Apart to Serve taking root and bearing fruit, some of the resources and tools we’ll learn about in the Town Hall, and how to attend the virtual Set Apart to Serve Town Hall on September 27.
 
 
 Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative and register for the Town Hall 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. Roy Askins, managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about some of the heresies explained in the August 2023 LW “Heresies: Ancient and Modern,” including Gnosticism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, and Prosperity Gospel. Pick up a copy to read more about these heresies and also Arianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Pelagianism, and Double Predestination. Find it at witness.lcms.org/2023/lutheran-witness-august-2023.
 
 
 Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

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 the story of Jethro and Moses, how this story shows us a Biblical perspective for leadership structure, how we steward the resources God has provided, and what selfish pride or perfectionism can do to leadership.
 
 Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Anne Gonzalez, DCE — Manager of Short-term Mission Training & Engagement with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and Stephanie Hovland — Deaconess Intern with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about "Missions Unpacked for Kids: The Church Lives!" including how students are immersed in the life of the Church around the world through Missions Unpacked, who kids will meet in Missions Unpacked, what they'll learn about our international friends, how the curriculum can be used, and tips and tricks for using the curriculum. Find Missions Unpacked for Kids at international.lcms.org/missions-unpacked-for-kids.

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.