The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the role psychologists play in mental health care, how the variety of mental health professionals interact in our lives, and how to seek care. Read the full list with explanations at resources.lcms.org/reading-study/commentaries/life-transitions-church-work-marriage. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the 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.

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the October 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The holy Christian church, the communion of saints” about the this phrase of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed 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. Karl Heimer, Pastor and CEO of Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community of El Paso, the uniqueness of life in a border city, the needs of the people in the community, and how Ysleta Lutheran Mission works to meet those needs. Learn more about Ysleta Lutheran Mission at ylm.org.

Hayden Rensner, serving the Lord in the Czech Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what led her to the mission field, the preparations she's been doing in order to deploy to the field, and what she's looking forward to doing when she arrives in the Czech Republic. Read her story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rensner.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise — Executive Director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and Rev. Peter Anibati — bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the needs of Lutherans in South Sudan and Sudan, how these needs are being met through Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and how this partnership has been integral in growing Lutheranism in South Sudan and Sudan. Learn more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan at elcss-s.org. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how to be mentally well during a time of transition, the different categories of mental health professionals, and how to decide which professional you might want to start with. Read the full list with explanations at resources.lcms.org/reading-study/commentaries/life-transitions-church-work-marriage. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the 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.

Sue Nahmensen — CEO of Lutheran Elementary School Association, and Kit Auble — Director of Development and Marketing for Lutheran Elementary School Association, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how LESA support Christ-centered Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area, the families that seek financial assistance from LESA, and the upcoming Brew in the Lou event. Learn more about LESA and Brew in the Lou at lesastl.org/lesas-brew-in-the-lou-festival-returns-to-francis-park-oct-9-2021.

Rev. German Novelli, Jr. — pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and President of the LCMS Hispanic National Convention, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of Lutheran Hispanic ministries in the USA, how the Hispanic National Convention came about, what happens at a Hispanic National Convention the great need for Lutheran Hispanic ministry, and how Lutheran Hispanic ministry is thriving today. Learn more about LCMS Hispanic ministry and details for next year's conference at hispanoslcms.com. Learn more about Pastor Novelli's ministry at grace-ok.org.

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Naumann, serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community where he and his wife serve, the life of the seminary and missionaries in the Dominican Republic, how the community has been affected by the pandemic, and how the Lord has provided for them. Read the Naumann family story and how to support their work at lcms.org/jonathan.naumann.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, which the Church celebrates on September 29, to discuss what we know about angels, the various misconceptions about who angels are and what they do, the vivid story in Revelation 12 about the war in heaven, and the propers and hymns assigned for this day. Hymn of the Day: Lutheran Service Book 522 (Another wonderful hymn: Lutheran Service Book 521) Lectionary: Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3 Psalm 91 Revelation 12:7-12 Matthew 19:1-11 or Luke 10:17-20 This is a rebroadcast from September 29, 2020.

The Rev. Dr. Joel Elowsky, professor of Historical Theology and coordinator of International Seminary Exchange Programs at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Jerome, Translator of Holy Scriptures. Hear about his significance in Church history, what we know about his life, what led to his translation work, and why his work was valuable to the Church in the 400s and still today.

Crysten Sanchez — Events Executive for Higher Things, and Rev. Harrison Goodman — a plenary speaker for Higher Things: Retreat in a Box, join Andy and Sarah to talk about why retreats are a valuable experience for youth, how they can sometimes be challenging to pull off, what the Higher Things Retreat in a Box will provide for congregations, and how this can be a wonderfully fun things for congregational youth. Learn more at higherthings.org/riab.

Anna Beilsmith — event coordinator for the Houston Hustle 5k, Jolene Siebarth — DCE at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MO, and 8th Grade Student Benjamin, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what Benjamin is looking forward to at the upcoming LCMS Youth Gathering, how he is participating in the Houston Hustle 5k, and how he is preparing to go to the Gathering. Anna and Jolene share details about the 5k, how to participate, and how this event benefits the youth at Immanuel St. Charles who will be attending the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering. Learn more at immanuelstcharles.org/featured-events.

The Rev. Dr. Rudolph Blank, former LCMS missionary in Venezuela for more than 40 years and founder and former director of the Juan de Frías Theological Institute, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about this history of Juan de Frías, why his story is important in Latin American Lutheran history, how the Reformation came to Latin America, and the legacy of his work and the work of others in our Lutheran churches today. Read Dr. Blank's article in the LCMS Reporter at reporter.lcms.org/2021/juan-de-frias-lutheran-martyr-of-venezuela.

The Rev. James Sharp, who serves the Lord in Uruguay with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community where he and his family serve, the work that they do in planting churches and teaching English, how the Gospel is received by the people in Uruguay, and how the Lord has provided for them through the challenges they've faced. Read the Sharp family story and how to support their work at lcms.org/sharp.

Rev. Stephen Kieser, Headmaster of Faith Lutheran School in Plano, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how Faith Lutheran School (FLS) serves their neighbors in the Plano area and worldwide, what is unique about education at FLS, why Classical Lutheran education is still important and relevant today, and the upcoming Golf Tournament and North Texas Giving Day support opportunities. Learn more about the Golf Tournament at flsplano.org/2021/06/2021-golf-tournament and North Texas Giving Day at northtexasgivingday.org/faith-lutheran-school.

Rev. Seth Moorman — pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Long Beach, California, and Leslie Sullivan — Celebrate Director at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the important role volunteers play in the LCMS Youth Gathering, how Team Flex volunteers serve at the Gathering, and how to apply for Team Flex. Learn more and apply at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer.

Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about St. Cyprian of Carthage, whose commemoration date in the Lutheran Church is September 16. They discuss who Cyprian is, what his life was like in the early church, the challenges he faced, and what we learn from his life and death.

Rev. Ruben Dominguez, retired pastor serving in South Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to share the story of Casiodoro de Reina (ca. 1520-1594) during Hispanic Heritage Month, including what we know about his life, how the Reformation came to Spain, why it was important to Casiodoro to translate the Bible into Spanish, the difficulties Casiodoro endured in order to create this translation, and how this translation has impacted Spanish-speaking culture still today. Casiodoro de Reina (ca. 1520-1594), translator and publisher of the first complete Bible in Spanish Casiodoro de Reina, a monk, was one of the first Spaniards to embrace the principles of the Reformation of the church in the Seville area around the mid-16th century. Those principles are grounded solely on the text of the Bible. Aware of the importance of spreading the Bible among his fellow citizens, Reina set himself the goal of publishing it completely in Spanish. After years of work and challenges found outside of Spain to gather, translate and revise various existing translations of the biblical text, Reina completed his work. Afterward, he received the assignment of finding a printer, nothing easy in those years. The first printing of the complete Bible in Spanish was finished in 1569 in Basel, Switzerland. The original cover contained an illustration of a standing bear trying to eat honey from the honeycomb hidden in a tree trunk; for this reason, it conventionally received the name of The Bear Bible. Using that cover to introduce it into Spain, Reina concealed its content from the Inquisition, an institution which had previously condemned him as a "heresiarch" (teacher of heretics), and had burned him in effigy in the Auto-de-Fe executed in April 1562 in the main plaza of Seville. Reina wanted all Spain to get the benefits of the Gospel message, especially the teaching of achieving justification by faith alone before God thanks to the sacrifice and merits of Jesus Christ won on the cross. Reina died in Frankfurt, Germany while serving as pastor of a Lutheran congregation of foreign refugees. Reina's translation and publication of the biblical text have made a significant impact among Spanish-speaking people. His legacy will surely carry on because his version, now commonly known as Reina-Valera, is the most widely read in evangelical churches and circles in the Spanish-speaking world.

Rev. Gary Schuschke, who serves the Lord through the LCMS as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfurt, Germany, joins Andy to talk about his journey to this call in Germany, the community where he serves, what makes this community and call unique, the challenges he's faced, and how the Lord has provided for him during these times. Read his story and how to support his work at lcms.org/schuschke.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the festival of Holy Cross Day in our church year, including the history of this festival in greater church history, how we as Lutherans observe this festival that seems a bit odd in our Lutheran doctrine, and a beautiful hymn for this day, "Sing My Tongue, the Glorious Battle."

Rev. James and Pearl Rhiver, planning committee members for the Lutheran Older Adult Retreat on October 20-21 at Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton, IL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the need for a retreat for older adults, stories from previous retreats, the wonderful list of activities and sessions available at this retreat, and the beautiful location for this retreat. Learn more and find the retreat brochure/registration form at sidlcms.org/single-post/yes-there-will-be-a-senior-older-adult-retreat. For questions, contact Margo Wolf. Phone: 618.979.3376 Email: [email protected] Make your room reservations by calling or writing: Pere Marquette Lodge 13653 Lodge Boulevard Grafton, IL 62037 618.786.2331

Heather Smith, wife of the Rev. Sean Smith, joins Andy to share insights on their parsonage life in rural Southern Illinois and the many lessons in history, faith, and witness from the church graveyard. Read her article, "The Very Stones Cry Out" in the September 2021 issue of The Lutheran Witness. Find LW online and subscribe at witness.lcms.org.

The Rev. Vance and Linda Becker, who serve the Lord in Kenya with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they were led to the mission field, the community where they serve, how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their work with seminary and deaconess students, and how the Lord is providing for them in the midst of their challenges. Learn more about the Becker's story and how to support their work at lcms.org/becker

The Rev. Eric Johnson, President of the LCMS Southern District and the Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response join Andy to discuss the impact of Hurricane Ida and the recent earthquake in Haiti. President Eric Johnson shares the response efforts of the LCMS Southern District and congregations following Hurricane Ida. Dr. Ross Johnson shares the response efforts following the recent earthquake in Haiti in partnership with the LCMS and congregations of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti. To learn more about LCMS Disaster response and ways to support visit lcms.org/disaster.

Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what we learn from the Church Fathers, how these writings are especially beneficial for us today, a few recommendations of where to start, and some wonderful examples of teachings. Read Dr. Boyle's series on "Reading the Old Testament with the Early Church Fathers" at witness.lcms.org/2020/reading-the-old-testament-with-the-early-church-fathers. Recommended Writings: St. Athanasius "On the Incarnation" — amazon.com or svspress.com/on-the-incarnation-english-only. Melito of Sardis "On Pascha" — amazon.com or svspress.com/on-pascha-second-edition-pps55. This is a rebroadcast from January 13, 2021.

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the September 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “I believe in the Holy Spirit” about the first phrase of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed 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. Thomas J. Egger, 11th president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how his service as a parish pastor prepared him for his service at Concordia Seminary, what is most important in the formation of church workers, things the average layperson may not know about seminary life and pastoral formation, and what we can expect to see in the coming months and years at Concordia Seminary. Read more and view the video of the inauguration at csl.edu/2021/09/egger-inaugurated-as-11th-seminary-president.

Deaconess Kim Bueltmann and Rachel Krause, who serve the Lord in Germany with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they were led to the mission field, the community where they serve, what makes this community and work unique, how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their work with refugees, and how the Lord is providing with them in the midst of their challenges. Learn more about Deaconess Kim's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/bueltmann. Learn more about Rachel's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/krause.

Rev. Craig G. Muehler, CAPT, CHC, USN, (Ret.) — Director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how LCMS military chaplains serve today, how our chaplains have been affected by the situation in Afghanistan, updates from LCMS chaplains serving in or near Afghanistan and at evacuation centers, and how we can support these chaplains as they serve both our armed forces and Afghan refugees. Contact MAF at [email protected] to stay informed about relief opportunities or to learn more about becoming a chaplain. Find more information about MAF at lcms.org/armedforces.

Rev. Bob Riggert, author of the 2021-2022 Chapel Talks for Lutheran Schools from LCMS School Ministry, joins Andy to talk about the 2021-2022 Chapel Talks, including what happens in a Lutheran school chapel service, the theme for this year's talks, what is unique about the book of Colossians, and what he hopes students and families will learn in Colossians this year. Download Chapel Talks at luthed.org/chapel-talks. For more information about Chapel Talks, contact LCMS School Ministry at 888-THE LCMS (843-5267) or via email at [email protected].

Anna Beilsmith — event coordinator, and Jolene Siebarth — DCE at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MO, join Andy and guest co-host Pastor James to talk about the upcoming Houston Hustle 5K fundraiser for youth attending the LCMS Youth Gathering, including why the Gathering is important to youth at Immanuel, preparations families are making in order for youth to attend, and the race details for the Houston Hustle 5k. Learn more and register at immanuelstcharles.org/featured-events. Houston Hustle 5k Saturday, September 25 Registration begins at 7:30am, Run at 8:30am

Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director, and Kelly Teuscher, volunteer with Christian Friends of New Americans in St. Louis, MO join Andy to talk about the needs of immigrants and refugees in St. Louis and how volunteers are sharing the love and mercy of Christ with these new neighbors. They also talk about the upcoming Cycle for the City event that will benefit them along with Humanitri and Lutheran Development Group. Learn more about Christian Friends of New Americans at cfna-stl.org Learn more, register, and sign up to volunteer for the Cycle the City bike ride event at cycleforthecity.org.

Jay Zemke, president, and Chuck Wells, volunteer with Lutheran Braille Workers, join Andy to talk about the history of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW), volunteering with LBW, and the resources, products, and services that LBW provides free of charge to people around the world. Learn more, request resources, and inquire about volunteering at lbwloveworks.org.

J.P and Aimee Cima, who serve the Lord as missionaries in the Kingdom of Cambodia, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the challenges of serving during the pandemic, the joys of partnering with Lutherans in the Kingdom of Cambodia, and home service in the United States. Read their story and how to support their work at lcms.org/cima and on their photo blog at cimafam.com.

The Rev. Marcus Zill, Campus Pastor, LCMSU Arizona, Faith Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ joins Andy and Pastor Cleland to share his story of campus ministry and insights on the return to college life for students this Fall. Visit the LCMSU website to learn more about LCMS campus ministry and an LCMSU chapter near you https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/campus-ministry

The Rev. Dr. James Marriott, Director of Music Arts and Dean of Chapel, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis joins Andy and Sarah to discuss the 2021-2022 concert series at Concordia Seminary including the upcoming Hymn Festival. Learn more about the Concordia Seminary Concert Series at the CSL website: https://www.csl.edu/campus-life/music-arts/concordia-seminary-concert-series/.

Warren Schmidt of the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum joins Andy to share the little-known story of the Brazeau Presbyterians who came to the aid of the early Lutheran immigrants in Perry County, Missouri. Learn more at lutheranmuseum.com/2019/09/08/blessed-brazeau-bicentennial-the-angels-of-east-perry-county. This is a rebroadcast from September 12, 2019.

Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about a few seasons common during the "Green Season," or the season after Pentecost or Trinity. These hymns are: LSB 708 "Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart," LSB 722 "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me," and LSB 729 "I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus." This is a rebroadcast from August 27, 2019.

Rev. Dr. James Baneck, Executive Director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Church Worker Recruitment Initiative, including the roles pastors and auxiliary offices carry out in our Church today, why the church needs pastors and other auxiliary workers, how God raises up church workers, and how the Church Worker Recruitment Initiative will help encourage more young men and women to serve the Church. Read the article in the August 2021 issue of The Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org/2021/understanding-the-church-worker-recruitment-initiative.

Rev. Stephen Oliver, Serving the Lord in Taiwan and the Asia Region as a theological educator at China Lutheran Seminary in Hsinchu, Taiwan, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about life at the seminary, what he teaches there, translation projects he's working on, how the coronavirus pandemic has affected life at the seminary, and family life in Taiwan. Read his story and how to support his work at lcms.org/oliver.

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his recent article in the local Rock County Star Herald about fear and faith, including how divisions manifest among us today, what we're really fearing these days, how Satan uses fear, whether we continue to consume inflammatory media, the true antidote to our fear, and what Scripture teaches us about fear. Read Dr. Booe's article at star-herald.com/church/spirit-not-fear.

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in El Centro, California, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what makes science fiction intriguing for him, what role science fiction like Start Trek plays in the life of a baptized child of God, the place of allegory in fiction, and if there's conflict between being a Trekkie and a Christian.

We complete the Lord's Prayer in this episode. Regarding the 6th Petition, consider sources of temptation and God's promises in the face of temptation. In the 7th Petition, learn how it is a prayer against Satan and where our help against evil comes from. In the Conclusion, hear whether the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer is original, if it is faithful and appropriate for Christians to pray this doxology, how this ending serves as a summary to the entire Lord’s Prayer, and what the word “Amen” confesses.
 
 Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the 7th Petition, 8th Petition, and the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer.

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the August 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead” about this last phrase of the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Coach Jody Token from The Great Flip joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her homeschool self-defense curriculum, the skills that school-age children and their parents will learn, what families need to be successful using this program, and how to implement it in their homes. Find the program details and sample videos at thegreatflip.com.

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the contentious situation concerning new Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland and Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen, how church bodies worldwide have stepped up to defend their right to free religious speech in Finland, and Bishop Pohjola's recent installation to the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland. Read the letter signed by numerous church bodies at ilc-online.org/2021/07/29/a-protest-and-call-for-free-religious-speech-in-finland.

Barb Rebentisch, serving the Lord in Taiwan, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her role as a translator and interpreter, how she is able to build relationships with others, the challenges that the last year has presented, and how the Lord has provided for her and the rest of the team in Taiwan. Contact her for information about the Bach lectures or her work at [email protected]. Read her story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rebentisch.

Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah on the commemoration of the destruction of Jerusalem and the martyrdom of St. Lawrence to talk briefly about the destruction of Jerusalem, and then to discuss society and the church at the time of St. Lawrence, what we know about his life and service to the Church, what led to his martyrdom, and most importantly what we can learn from his example in his life and his death. Find Pastor Wolfmueller's book A Martyr’s Faith in a Faithless World at cph.org/p-32682-a-martyrs-faith-in-a-faithless-world.aspx and his free resource And Take They Our Life: Martin Luther’s Theology of Martyrdom at wolfmueller.co/product/and-take-they-our-life-martin-luthers-theology-of-martyrdom-2.

Chris Shearman — Founder and Executive Director of Lutheran Development Group in St. Louis, Missouri, and Harry Stevens — Director of Operations for Lutheran Development Group, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the needs in St. Louis that Lutheran Development Group aims to meet, how they are able to build up communities, the impact of this work to help people invest in their neighborhoods, and the motivation of this work to serve their neighbors. They also talk about the upcoming Cycle for the City event that will benefit them along with Humanitri and Christian Friends of New Americans. Learn more about Lutheran Development Group at ldgstl.org. Learn more, register, and sign up to volunteer for the Cycle the City bike ride event at cycleforthecity.org.