The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Deaconess Dr. Kim Schave — Executive Director of Humanitri, and Lorri Holtgrieve — Director of Development and Communication with Humanitri, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Humanitri serves the homeless population of the greater St. Louis area with help and hope, the reality about homelessness in St. Louis today, the motivation to serve people with love, and the upcoming Cycle for the City event that will benefit them along with Lutheran Development Group and Christian Friends of New Americans. Learn more about Humanitri at humanitri.org. Learn more, register, and sign up to volunteer for the Cycle the City bike ride event at cycleforthecity.org.

Dr. Mark Bender, retired teacher and minister of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how hymn planning for Divine Services is done, the collaboration that happens behind the scenes, the resources available for pastors and church musicians, and how pastors and church musicians decide how these hymns will be placed within the service. Read his article in the August 2021 issue of The Lutheran Witness. Find LW online and subscribe at witness.lcms.org.

Rev. Christian Tiews, who serves the Lord in Germany as a missionary pastor through the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy to talk about the community where he serves, his background that led to serving in Germany, the focus of his service as a missionary pastor with the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK), the challenges he and his family have faced during this transition to missionary service, and how the Lord has provided for them during this time. Learn more about his family's story and how to support their work at lcms.org/tiews.

Esther Dunlop and Rachel Hillman, previous Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) for the LCMS Youth Gathering and currently on the Planning Committee for LCMS Gathering 2022, join Andy and Sarah to talk about why they became volunteers with the Gathering, the role that YAVs play at the Gathering, why they always wear orange, and how young adults can apply to be YAVs at the 2022 Gathering. Learn more and apply to be a YAV at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about generations and mental health, including what "generativity" is and how we approach this term, why caring about the generations to come is important for our mental health, and what scripture says about God's love for all generations. 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 and find all of her writings at heidigoehmann.com. This is a rebroadcast from March 8, 2021.

It's Bach Week on The Coffee Hour! Today, Dr. Maurice Boyer, professor of music at Concordia University Chicago and director of the American Kantorei (a group dedicated to the performance of J.S. Bach’s music), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Bach's theology in his sacred chorale cantatas. Hear about the place of the cantata or passion in the liturgy of a Sunday morning, how these cantatas follow our Church Year, what makes a chorale a unique part of the cantata, and which chorales would sound especially familiar to us. Familiarize yourself with Bach's music that you will probably recognize! Work through this list of Chorale Cantatas by J.S. Bach with melodies contained in the Lutheran Service Book. For solid literal translations of the texts, see Emmanuel Music in Boston at emmanuelmusic.org. For lectionary readings, see the one-year lectionary found in the LSB Introduction p.xx or download at lcms.org/worship/lectionary-series. BWV 7 – Christ unser Herr zu Jordan kam (1724) St John the Baptist youtu.be/06PQgj_K8dI LSB 406: To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord BWV 93 – Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten (1724) Fifth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/in5XDlJnrB8 LSB 750: If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee Organ: BWV 642 BWV 9 – Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (1732-5) Sixth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/zq1IAR_J0NI LSB 555: Salvation to Us Has Come Organ: BWV 638 BWV 94 – Was frag ich nach der Welt (1724) Ninth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/UmtTuCgUeT4 LSB 730: What is the World to Me BWV 99 – Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (1724) Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/TwmQo97zb6I LSB 760: What God Ordains Is Always Good BWV 96 – Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn (1724) Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/ojRmbYXKXtc LSB 402: The Only Son from Heaven Organ: BWV 601 BWV 180 – Schmucke dich Twentieth Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/CfmPmuirwkA LSB 636: Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness BWV 8 – Aus Tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (1724) Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity youtu.be/CvJDnR-bELM LSB 607: From Depths of Woe I Cry to You BWV 61 – Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Weimar 1714) youtu.be/MzWJsRjanC4 BWV 62 – Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (1724) youtu.be/lGv4I7bd8JY First Sunday of Advent LSB 332: Savior of the Nations, Come Organ: BWV 599 No concerted music (i.e. with instruments) after the First Sunday of Advent until Christmas Day BWV 91 – Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (1724) Christmas Day youtu.be/SJa716LSba4 LSB 382: We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth Organ: LWV 604 BWV 125 – Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (1725) Purification (German Nunc Dimittis) youtu.be/2on7CBhCkQs LSB 938: In Peace and Joy, I Now Depart Organ: BWV 616 BWV 126 – Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort (1725) Sexagesima (60 days before Easter) youtu.be/xSaY0fX8LiA LSB 555: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word BWV 127 – Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott (1725) Estomihi or Quinquagesima (50 Days before Easter = last Sunday before Lent) youtu.be/Fm-0GjrmDmo Quotes „Christe, du Lamm Gottes“ (German « Agnus Dei ») Organ: BWV 619 No concerted music during Lent BWV 1 – Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (March 25, 1725) Annunciation (first piece after Lent since Annunciation coincided with Palm Sunday) youtu.be/ZnXMV4JcEnc LSB 395 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright St John Passion (2nd version) with chorale movements bracketing the whole work and some changes in arias. Good Friday (1725) youtu.be/nBhALSvlujU BWV 4 – Christ lag in Todesbanden (1707?) Easter (Reprise in Leipzig 1725) youtu.be/IDMYl0YjCn0 LSB 458: Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands Organ: BWV 625

It's Bach Week on The Coffee Hour! Today, Matthew Gerhardt, Kantor-elect at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to unpack J.S. Bach's Orgelbuechlein, or "Little Organ Book." Learn about what this book of chorale hymn preludes contains, why Bach wrote it, and the familiar tunes you've probably heard before! Find links to all of the preludes mentioned in the following show notes: Chorale Preludes: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland – Savior of the Nations, Come (BWV 599) youtu.be/salGeFPnWqg Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar – From heaven came the angel host (BWV 607) youtu.be/j6Veb0x64Zs In Dir ist Freude – In Thee is gladness (BWV 615) youtu.be/DYVuDhYv2mg O Mensch, bewein dein Suende gross – O man, lament your great sin (BWV 622) youtu.be/M6dzcwHmviw Christ lag in Todesbanden – Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands (BWV 625) youtu.be/boJGXpiacPQ Komm, Gott Schoepfer, Heiliger Geist – Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (BWV 631) youtu.be/akyi6ic1OXY Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ – I call to You, Lord Jesus Christ (BWV 639) youtu.be/0BEFYRDzdis Wer nur den lieben Gott laesst walten – If thou but trust in God to guide thee (BWV 642) youtu.be/8gpb4zsXjZA?t=7 Listen to the Orgelbuechlein in its entirety here: youtu.be/hj9bBm6JZ3w

It's Bach Week on The Coffee Hour! Today, Dr. Martin Dicke, who serves the Lord as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his experiences with Bach growing up on the mission field in Papua New Guinea, the role of Bach in his studies and formation as a church musician, the influence of Bach in the cultures where he has served, and how the Lord has used the work of J.S. Bach for His purposes in the Church around the world. Learn more about Dr. Dicke's work at lcms.org/dicke and find the presentations mentioned in this conversation at lutheranchinese.org/lutheran-hymnody.

It's Bach Week on The Coffee Hour! Today, Benjamin Kolodziej — member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX, highly active church organist and composer, and contributor to the Lutheran Service Book Hymnal Companion, joins Sarah to talk about how congregational singing was a priority of J.S. Bach, how he was different from other composers of his time, how he viewed the relationship of work as a musician to the ministry of the Word, where we find Bach's hymnody today, and the similarities between our Lutheran services and the Lutheran services of Bach's time.

It's Bach Week on The Coffee Hour! Today, Chaplain Brian Hamer, Chaplain in the US Marine Corps, joins Sarah to talk about J.S. Bach's original contract in Leipzig in 1723, the differences between popular music and high art music, how these music forms differ from sacred music, how Bach's music fits into these music forms, what sets Bach's music apart from all other music, and how Bach ultimately fulfilled his contract "not to make an operatic impression." Read Chaplain Hamer's article on this topic titled “Not to Make an Operatic Impression, Pathways to and from Sacred Music 1723-2006” in the Eastertide 2021 issue of Logia, which you can find at logia.org.

Karen Ludwig, Director of MyLife Medical and Resource Center in High Ridge, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the needs of the people MyLife serves, how great the need is for compassionate care for women with unexpected pregnancies, the difference ultrasounds make for expecting parents, and how MyLife is able to generously serve neighbors with these free resources. Learn more about MyLife Medical and Resource Center at mylifemrc.com or call (636) 495-6566. Learn more about the upcoming banquet at jcpcc.com and request information by calling (636) 495-6566.

Rev. Michael Meyer, Director of Disaster Training with LCMS Disaster Response, joins Andy to talk about the latest updates from LCMS Disaster Response, how Christ is shared with those dealing with disasters, the new LERT website and what visitors will find, and the upcoming disaster trainings. Learn more and disaster response and trainings at lcms-lert.org.

Rev. Dr. Walter and Robyn Steele, who serve the Lord in Kenya with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the students and community at Matongo Lutheran Theological College, what they are called to do in Kenya, what they've learned about the culture in their community, and how the Lord has provided for them over the last year and a half. Read their story and how to support their work at lcms.org/steele. For more information, email them at [email protected].

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why we should do both devotions and attend corporate worship, what to look for in devotional material, and how to pick out if the devotional material is worthy of your time. Find the Treasury of Daily Prayer at cph.org/treasury or find the PrayNow App in your Apple or Google Play app store. This is a rebroadcast from August 29, 2019.

Deaconess Sarah Longmire, Early Childhood Center and Children’s Ministry Director at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, how Lord of Life serves the community of Chesterfield, the unique opportunities they are able to provide because of their location in the community, and what you'll hear on Sunday mornings on KFUO Radio from Lord of Life. Hear Lord of Life broadcast Sunday morning services from June - August at 10:30 a.m. CT. Learn more about Lord of Life at lordoflifelcms.org, and find the full Sunday morning worship schedule at kfuo.org/weekend-worship-information.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about industry and purpose, industry versus inferiority, identity and vocation, and finding our identity and purpose in Christ. 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 and find all of her writings at heidigoehmann.com. This is a rebroadcast from November 9, 2020.

Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the doctrine of the Church, what we confess about the Church in our Lutheran Confessions, where our confidence lies when confessing the one Holy Christian Church, and how we confess this in our daily vocations. Read Dr. Lane's article "I Believe in One Holy Christian Church: The doctrine of the Church" in the June/July 2021 issue of The Lutheran Witness and at witness.lcms.org/2021/i-believe-in-one-holy-christian-church-the-doctrine-of-the-church. Listen to the article on the LW Podcast!

Deaconess Danelle Putnam, who serves the Lord in the Dominican Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and her husband Rev. Carlos Schumann, who serves with Luther Academy in Latin America, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what life is like on the mission field in Latin America, the work that Danelle is called to do in the Dominican Republic, and how Luther Academy supports pastors and congregations in Latin America. Learn more about Danelle and how to support her work at lcms.org/putnam. Learn more about the work of Luther Academy at lutheracademy.com.

Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, Serving the Lord in Latvia as Associate Director for Eurasia Region with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy to talk about the community where he serves, the history of the local Latvian Lutheran church, the theological education that is happening in this region, and how he and the other workers in the field have moved through the challenges of the last year. Learn more about his story and how to support his work at lcms.org/bombaro, and request information from Dr. Bombaro at [email protected]. Learn more about the Eurasia region at international.lcms.org/eurasia.

Stephen Blank, Science Teacher and Head Varsity Swimming Coach at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, joins Andy to talk about the role of athletics in the lives of high school students, what's important for developing young student athletes, and what it's like to see one of his former students, Bowe Becker, competing for Team USA in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Then, Bowe Becker joins Andy to talk about what training has looked like over the last year, who has supported him in his athletic career, and what it's like to be named to the 2021 USA Swimming Olympic Team. Follow USA Swimming on Twitter @USASwimming and read about Bowe punching his ticket to Tokyo at gophersports.com/news/2021/6/20/swimming-diving-becker-punches-ticket-to-tokyo-at-wave-ii-of-olympic-trials.aspx. Bowe Becker (photo: Mike Lewis) Image Credit: Mike Lewis/USA Swimming.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how labeling personality types can be helpful, how this labeling can be limiting, and what contentment in Christ looks like. Read about being a "contentrovert" at medishare.com/blog/on-being-a-contentrovert. 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 and find all of her writings at heidigoehmann.com. This is a rebroadcast from May 4, 2020.

Phillip Magness, Sacred Music Educator serving the Lord in French-speaking West and Central Africa with the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his work in Francophone Africa, how the pandemic has affected his ministry there, and the music that he teaches to the congregations there. Hear some selections of music and how these pieces have influenced both his work and the church in Francophone Africa. Join Phillip's missionary group on Facebook for all updates and newsletters at facebook.com/groups/MagnessAfrica. Read his story and how to support his work at https://www.lcms.org/magness. This is a rebroadcast from April 7, 2021. Music selection notes: « O Christ, Étoile du matin » "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" Permission for use granted by the Comité liturgique francophone of the Lutheran Church-Canada. « Notre Père » A live recording of the Lord's Prayer from the Divine Service at Paroisse Wittenberg in Pointe-Noire, Congo. Copyright, Église Évangelique Luthérienne au Congo, used with permission from Pastor Joseph Mboungou. « Comment, céleste maître » "O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?" Permission for use granted by the Comité liturgique francophone of the Lutheran Church-Canada. « Le Premier Commandement » The First Commandment Copyright 2020, Phillip Magness, Used by permission.

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

Rev. Dr. Gerald Paul, who serves the Lord with the LCMS Office of International Mission in the Cayman Islands, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what life is like in the Cayman Islands, how he serves the community and people there, the challenges the community has faced, and how the Lord has provided for their needs. Learn more about Rev. Paul and his wife, Heidi, and how to support their work at lcms.org/gerald.paul.

Chaplain Eric Malmstrom— US Navy, retired, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his path to becoming a Chaplain in the Armed Forces, the stories of difficult and rewarding times in the service, and how we can support our military veterans. Read more about his story at blogs.lcms.org/2020/christ-on-the-front-lines-remembering-the-fallen and view photos of his retirement ceremony at facebook.com/MinistryArmedForces.LCMS/posts/3373535976048896. Learn more about LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces and becoming a chaplain at lcms.org/armedforces. This is a rebroadcast from November 10, 2020.

Dr. John Eckrich, Founder of Grace Place Wellness, fills in for Deaconess Heidi Goehmann on this episode of Mental Health Monday to talk about the relationship between physical activity and mental health, including correlation between the two, benefits of physical movement on mental wellbeing, and ways to incorporate physical movement into daily living. Learn more about Grace Place Wellness at graceplacewellness.org. 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 and find all of her writings at heidigoehmann.com. This is a rebroadcast from June 1, 2020.

Erika Bennett — Director of Continuing Education at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and Dale Ward — Senior Media Producer at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the Short Film Competition that is part of the 2022 Faith and Film Festival at the Seminary, including why this competition is part of the festival, what the theme of the competition is, how participants can enter, and the judging process for the films. Learn more about the Faith and Film Festival at csl.edu/resources/continuing-education/faith-and-film-festival and enter your short film at filmfreeway.com/FaithandFilmFestival.

Burnell Hackman, Director of Music Ministry at Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Family Friendly Concert Series happening in July at Peace Lutheran, including the musicians and styles of music attendees will hear, why events like this are valuable, and how families can prepare to attend these concerts. Learn more at peacestlmusic.org. Family Friendly Concerts | Thursdays in July from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, July 1 - Metropolitan Brass Quintet: The Metropolitan Brass Quintet presents a lively program of patriotic music, anthems, fanfares, and marches, including John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”, as well as a demonstration of the early use of brass instruments for signal calls, various processionals, and ceremonies. Thursday, July 8 - Second Nature Horns: The Second Nature Horns with local legend Charles Glenn on vocals will perform favorite jazz tunes and tell about the composers and jazz genre. Thursday, July 15 - The Perfect Fifth Woodwind Quintet - Peter and the Wolf: This popular musical fairy tale with narration introduces us to instruments of the woodwind quintet. Find out what happens when young Peter encounters a big dangerous gray wolf in the nearby meadow. See how Peter and his animal friends bring this captivating story to a happy ending. Thursday, July 22 - The Story Book Quartet - The Bremen Town Musicians: Music and storytelling combine in this entertaining program emphasizing teamwork. Popular storyteller Vicky Smolik narrates the classic Brothers’ Grimm folk tale. Just like the four animal friends in this story, listeners learn the importance of cooperation. Thursday, July 29 - The Abbey Road Warriors: The ARW plays music of the Beatles with passion and love.

Debbie Larson, President of the LWML, joins Andy and Sarah to review the LWML 2021 National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, including what convention delegates learned from Scripture about the theme “Running the Race, Looking to Jesus,” what the LWML aims to accomplish at convention every two years, and some of highlights from the mission grants that were approved this year. Learn more about the work of the LWML and the current mission grants at lwml.org.

Deaconess Caitlin and Seminarian Jeancarlos Ramírez, serving the Lord with the LCMS Office of International Mission in the Dominican Republic, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Caitlin serves on the field with deaconess formation and caring for underserved, what seminary education looks like for Jeancarlos, and how they are preparing to serve in the future in Latin America. Learn more about their story and how to support their work at lcms.org/ramirez.

Deaconess Dorothy Krans, Director of LCMS Recognized Service Organizations, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how service organizations have been a part of extending the church’s mission throughout history, how organizations work in harmony with the LCMS and her mission today, and the benefits of being an RSO of the Synod. Read her article “Extending the Mission: Recognized Service Organizations of the LCMS” in the June/July issue of The Lutheran Witness. Find the LCMS RSO directory at lcms.org/rso.

Kara Warme, American Heritage Girls Troop Coordinator for Troop IA2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ames, Iowa, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how she first discovered American Heritage Girls, how the troop began at St. Paul Lutheran Church, how the AHG Troop has been helpful to the girls who are members, and what she has learned in her time coordinating the troop. Learn more about AHG and how to find or start a troop in your area at americanheritagegirls.org.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about resilience, hope, and working through our struggles together as the body of Christ. 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 and find all of her writings at heidigoehmann.com.

Dr. Daniel Harmelink, Executive Director of Concordia Historical Institute, joins Andy and Sarah live from the LWML National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, to talk about the 491st commemoration of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, including the historical context of when the presentation happened, why the Augsburg Confession is so important in our Lutheran history, and what you will learn when you read it! Read through the Augsburg Confession and the rest of the Book of Concord at bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession or find a copy at cph.org/p-22525-The-Augsburg-Confession-Concordia-Readers-Edition.aspx.

Cathy Stanish and Elise Zeigler from Selah Textiles in St. Louis, Missouri, join Andy and Sarah live from the LWML National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, to talk about how Selah Textiles got its start, how this social entrepreneurship serves other people, and what they've learned while creating this enterprise. Learn more and browse their store at selahtextiles.org.

Rev. James Krikava, serving the Lord with the LCMS Office of International Mission as regional director for the Eurasia region, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the geographical area of the Eurasia region, the theological education going on in different parts of this region, the challenges faced by some in this region, and how the Lord has blessed His church over the last year. Read the Krikava family's story and how to support their work at lcms.org/krikava and learn more about the work being done in the Eurasia region at international.lcms.org/eurasia.

NADCE Board Members Thad Warren, Shelli Haynes, and Emily Phoenix join Andy and Sarah to talk about where Directors of Christian Education serve today, the process of DCE formation, and how DCEs serve with pastors and other church workers.

Dr. Bill Karpenko — Director of Christian Education, Emeritus, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what a Director of Christian Education is, the history of the DCE position, how the first DCEs served in their congregations, and how this office has developed into the Commissioned Minister status in the LCMS.

Sara Correnti, MS, RD, LD — Manager of Health & Welfare – Member Wellness Products with Concordia Plan Services, Dr. Jeff Stanley — Medical Director of Virta, and Bonnie Parker — LCMS Employee and Virta Client, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what is significant about Type 2 Diabetes, the correlation between obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, challenges faced when adressing obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, and how accountability and personal support are crucial in making lifestyle changes. Bonnie shares her story of how Virta helped her reverse her Type 2 Diabetes, and we discuss how Virta can be an important tool in the toolbox of a person with diabetes. Learn more about diabetes solutions from Concordia Plans at concordiaplans.org/members/my-wellness-benefits/diabetes-solutions and about Virta at virtahealth.com/concordia.

Chara Sype, preschool teacher in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Chelsea Irwin, who serves the Lord in the Czech Republic, join Sarah to talk about the Missions Unpacked for Kids program available this summer through the LCMS Office of International Mission, including what kids will learn about during this program, why it's important for kids to learn about mission service around the globe, and how families and schools can participate. Learn more about the regions kids will explore and register for the program at international.lcms.org/missions-unpacked.

Carla Elenz, Zone President of the LWML Land of Lakes Zone in Michigan, and who is cycling from Gaylord, Michigan to the LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her long history of cycling (including biking across America), preparations for a long cycling trip, what inspired her to make this 550-mile journey, and what she hopes to accomplish with this ride. Read more of her story at lwml.org/posts/news/enews-336#3 and find Miles for Mites on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/milesformites.

Rev. Mark Rabe, who serves the Lord in Ethiopia as a theological educator at Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community at the seminary and in Addis Ababa, the seminary students and education available in Ethiopia, the struggles they have weathered over the last year, and how the Lord has provided for them through these challenges. Read his family's story and how to support their work at lcms.org/rabe.

Rev. Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of the Concordia Journal, joins Andy and Sarah to share his story as a writer, how creative writing really encompasses more than we may think, what the intersection of faith and writing means, and the format for this year's Faith & Writing Workshop at Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Learn more and register at csl.edu/resources/continuing-education/faith-writing-workshop. Faith and Writing Workshop Concordia Seminary’s Faith and Writing Workshop explores various forms of creative writing — starting a blog, creating a sermon or devotion, “traditional” forms of creative writing (story, nonfiction, drama, poetry) — and everything in between. Attention will be given to social media and new forms of expression, with ample time provided for creative exercises. July 20-22, 2021 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT Registration: $175 (Seminary students $75 per person) Registration deadline: July 7, 2021

Rev. Edgar Keinath — Director of CrossLife Ministries, the counseling ministry of Ambassadors of Reconciliation, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how the culture of our nation has impacted the life of the Church, how difficult things like the COVID-19 pandemic affect how we relate to our brothers and sisters in Christ, how the pandemic has affected our identity, and how we move toward resolve. Learn about the Ambassadors of Reconciliation webinars on these topics at aorhope.org/webinars. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the tag "Mental Health Monday."

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, Director Witness and Outreach & Revitalization with the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his book Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Everyday Life available from Concordia Publishing House, including defining the terms "evangelist" and "witness," who is called to be a witness, some misconceptions about witnessing, and how witnessing is about sharing Jesus' love with those around us in our lives. Find Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Everyday Life at cph.org/p-34258-connected-to-christ-witnessing-in-everyday-life.aspx.

Rev. Eric Moffett, Associate Pastor of Foothills Lutheran Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Speaker for the Lutheran Church–Canada National Youth Gathering in 2022, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the theme "In not Of" from Philippians 3:20, how this Gathering serves the youth of the Lutheran Church–Canada, what the youth will be doing during their time at the gathering in Winnipeg, and the people behind the scenes who make this event possible. Learn more about the LCC NYG July 15-19, 2022, at lccnyg.ca and Lutheran Church–Canada at lutheranchurchcanada.ca.

Rev. Kyle Castens, Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Festus, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of Grace Day Jefferson County, how this event serves the surrounding community, the services that are provided, and how this event fits into how Immanuel and the churches in Jefferson County serve the community throughout the year. Learn more at ilcfestus.org.

The Rev. Matthew Wood, serving the Lord in Indonesia with the Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church (GKLI), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community where he serves on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, how the GKLI serves the people of Indonesia, the challenges they've faced in the last year, and how the Lord has provided through trying times. Learn more about Rev. Wood and and how to support his work at lcms.org/wood.

Brett McCracken, senior editor for the Gospel Coalition and the author of Uncomfortable; Hipster Christianity; Gray Matters; and The Wisdom Pyramid, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about our current cultural state of information gluttony, what happens when we constant distraction and input in our lives, where true wisdom comes from, and how the Wisdom Pyramid can inform how we navigate the information we choose to consume. Find Brett McCracken's content at brettmccracken.com and The Wisdom Pyramid at brettmccracken.com/the-wisdom-pyramid.

Dr. Beverly Yahnke, Executive Director for Spiritual Counsel with DOXOLOGY, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about developing a plan for self-care, including what we mean by self-care, why we need a plan, how we begin developing this plan, things that are important to consider, and how we ensure we make use of this plan. Learn more about DOXOLOGY, including Take Heart Retreats for pastors, at doxology.us. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the tag "Mental Health Monday."