The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Scholars Austin, Ella, and Peter, along with Principal Kate Thoelke of Saint Paul Lutheran School in Hamel, Illinois, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their school and what they love about it during National Lutheran Schools Week. Learn more about St. Paul Hamel at school.stpaulhamel.org. Learn about National Lutheran Schools Week festivities at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek.

Mr. Alan Freeman, Assistant to the President of the Missouri District of Lutheran Church Missouri Synod: Schools, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the legacy of Lutheran education, specifically early childhood education, in Missouri, and the details of the upcoming Missouri District Early Childhood Conference on March 2, 2019. Learn more and register at mo.lcms.org/event/early-childhood-directors-conference/?event_date=2019-03-02.

Ryan and Logann Edinger, young church musicians in the St. Louis area, and Dr. Mark Laverty, their teacher and Music Director at Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights, Missouri, join Andy and Sarah to talk about learning to play piano and organ at young ages, what it’s like to be a young church musician, and encouraging young people to get involved with music in church. Ryan Edinger will be presenting a piano recital on Saturday, February 16, at 3:30 p.m. at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Dr. Laverty will be presenting a piano concert on Saturday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m. at St Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, Illinois. Find details for his concert and other appearances at marklaverty.com.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, of ilovemyshepherd.com, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about wellness for the church work student, including why it’s important to start wellness habits while still in college, tips for finding a mentor, and how wellness habits benefit the future vocation of church workers. Read resources about Church Worker Wellness at lcms.org/wellness. This episode is part of an ongoing Church Worker Wellness series with Deaconess Heidi Goehmann. Find more episodes in this series with the tag “Church Worker Wellness.”

Jackie Smith, Executive Director of LASE Specialized Education in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about typical evaluations for special needs for students, what parents can do to start the evaluation process, and how LASE supports families through the education process. Read the article mentioned in this conversation at wcpastl.com/a-parents-call-to-action-10-reasons-not-to-avoid-evaluation-and-treatment-for-your-childs-academic-behavioral-or-emotional-problem. Learn more about LASE Specialized Education at lutheranspecialed.org and facebook.com/LASESpecializedEducation.

Students Anthony and Abby along with Director of Music Miss Jennifer Brauer and Head of School Dr. Craig Ernstmeyer from Lutheran High School of St. Charles County, Missouri, join Andy to talk about their school and what they love about it during National Lutheran Schools Week. Learn more about Lutheran High St. Charles at lutheranhighstcharles.com. Learn about National Lutheran Schools Week festivities at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek.

Rachel Bomberger, managing editor of the Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to preview the February edition of LW, including what it means to have “mercy” in our context, and a few of the great articles about the legacy of the church’s mercy work. Subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness and find articles online at witness.lcms.org.

Students Saffron and Lindsay along with Choir Director Greg Gastler from Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their school and what they love about it during National Lutheran Schools Week. Learn more about LHSS at lhssstl.org. Learn about National Lutheran Schools Week festivities at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek.

Violet T. – Tenderheart in American Heritage Girls Troop VA0325, and Adalyn T. – Girl Member in American Heritage Girls Troop NE0508, join Andy to share their experiences in the 2019 March for Life in Washington, D.C., including their favorite things about the March and ways AHG has helped them learn about respecting life. Violet said, “It was great to see how many people come out and march for life. People are excited and they care so much about it.” Adalyn said the most memorable part of the March was, ““All the noises… the people cheering and chanting, the music playing from speakers, musical instruments playing, kids cheering. The sounds were so fun and encouraging and they made it easy to join in.” Learn more about American Heritage Girls at americanheritagegirls.org.

Dr. Bruce Carvell, Artistic Director of the Collegium Vocale of St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming “Rejoice and Be Glad!: Four Sacred Cantatas by Christoph Graupner,” a concert of Baroque sacred music on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Bruce Carvell will give an introductory lecture at 2:30 p.m. to provide greater context and insight into Graupner and his music. The concert will be performed at Concordia Lutheran Church, 505 S. Kirkwood Road, 63122. Learn more about the Collegium Vocale at collegiumvocaleofsaintlouis.org and find the concert Facebook event at facebook.com/events/2166032963648935.

Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why creation education is so important for people of all ages and to preview upcoming creation education events in Missouri. Events mentioned are: “Creation Truth Conference” sponsored by Missouri Association for Creation. Friday, March 1 – Saturday, March 2 at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Find details and register at mocreation.org/TruthConf. “The Alternative: Creation’s Competitive Edge” presented by Dr. Robert Carter at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO on March 3 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Carter is a PhD Marine Biologist and speaker for Creation Ministries whose current focus is analyzing and determining the implications of DNA data gleaned from genome mapping databases. Find details at creation.com/events/us/181204251440537380018O. “Thousands not Billions: How Old is the Earth?” 2019 Society of Creation Conference. Friday, June 14 – Saturday June 15 at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis, MO. Find details and register at societyofcreation.org/conferences.php.

Students Joshua and Taylor along with Assistant Principal Rob Stock from Metro East Lutheran High School join Andy to talk about their school and what they love about it during National Lutheran Schools Week. Learn more about MELHS at melhs.org. Learn about National Lutheran Schools Week festivities at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek.

Rev. Mark Birkholz, pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his interest in bird watching, how to get started in bird watching, and how bird watching gives him an appreciation for our Creator.

Mr. Spangler and students Sophia, Kennedy, and Mason from Christ Community Lutheran School in Kirkwood, Missouri, join Andy to talk about their school and what they love about it during National Lutheran Schools Week. Learn more about CCLS at ccls-stlouis.org. Learn about National Lutheran Schools Week festivities at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek.

Rev. Vince Parks— Executive Director of LINC, and Rev. Lonnie Gonzalez— City Director of LINC Houston, join Sarah to talk about LINC and LINC Houston, the unique needs of the people in Houston, and how LINC makes a difference in each community it serves. Learn more about LINC Houston at linchouston.org.

The Coffee Hour went on the road to the 2019 March for Life in Washington, D.C.! In this episode, Sarah Gulseth presents reflections and conversations from her time at the March, including conversations with the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison— President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; the Rev. Dr. Al Espinosa— senior pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Irvine, California; the Rev. Michael Salemink— Executive Director of Lutherans for Life; the Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz— Executive Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty; and Jeaneen Wyly— teacher at Lutheran High School Westland in Westland, Michigan.

Dr. Tom Mueller— Assistant Professor of Church Music and University Organist at Concordia University Irvine, California, and Dr. Mark Bender— Minister of Music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri, join Sarah to talk about Dr. Mueller’s upcoming organ concert on Sunday, January 27 at 4:00 p.m. for the Music at St. Paul’s Series. Special cameras will show the organ console during the concert so you can watch his playing! Learn more about this concert and the MASP series at facebook.com/MASP12345.

David Fiala, DCE, Assistant Director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Sarah to talk about the current needs for missionary recruitment (looking at you, Lutheran accountants and project managers), and what the process is for becoming a missionary. Learn more and start your application at lcms.org/serve.

Dr. Becky Schmidt, Director of School Ministry with the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger, managing editor of the Lutheran Witness, to talk about what makes Lutheran Schools integral to our communities, the festivities that happen during National Lutheran Schools Week, and why this week is important for our Lutheran school families. Find resources at lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek and learn more about LCMS School Ministry at lcms.org/schoolministry. Follow LCMS School Ministry to see NLSW updates and to join in the National Sing-A-Long at facebook.com/LCMSschools. Don’t forget to use your hashtags #NLSW19 #LuthEd!

Deaconess Dorothy Krans— Director of Recognized Service Organizations for the LCMS, and LCMS Communications team members Erik Lunsford— Managing Photojournalist, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager, and Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial Services, join Sarah to share their reflections and experiences at the 2019 LCMS Life Conference and the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Share your stories from the March for Life on social media using the LCMS hashtags #eyesoflife #JoyfullyLutheran #JoyfullyAlive and the March for Life hashtags #MarchforLife #whywemarch #uniquefromdayone. .Learn more about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life, read Eyes of Life stories at eyesoflife.org, and find Joyfully Lutheran stories at joyfullylutheran.org.

Dr. Jim Marriott, Director of Musical Arts for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Sarah to talk about Epiphany hymns, including Lutheran Service book 395, 397, and 403, as well as the theological themes we sing about in Epiphany and why singing the hymns of the church is so important for our life of faith.

Rev. Tim Droegemueller, Pastor of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the importance of adult catechesis and how the seasons of the church year play into how the catechism and vocation are taught in his congregation. Read the explanation of his process at livingfaithlutheran.com/im-new. This is a rebroadcast from June 8, 2018.

Brenda Jank, founder of Run Hard. Rest Well., joins Andy and Sarah to talk about whether men and women rest differently, how that looks in daily life, and why it matters to couples and families. Read her blog post at runhardrestwell.com/7813-2 and follow Run Hard. Rest Well. at facebook.com/runhardrestwell. This is a rebroadcast from May 1, 2018.

Rev. Michael Schuermann, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sherman, Illinois, and his wife Katie Schuermann, author of the Anthems of Zion series and He Remembers the Barren, brought their goddaughters Olivia and Lydia Brown from South Dakota to join Andy and Sarah in studio to talk about the vocations of godparent and godchild. They share stories about how they talk to each other about baptism, the love of Jesus, and the rewards the girls receive for memorizing many thing (including maybe even the Athanasian Creed down the road). Listen to this heart-warming and hopeful conversation and hear the faith of the church professed from the mouths of children and encouraged by their faithful godparents. This is a rebroadcast from June 20, 2018.

Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Sarah and guest host Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, in part two of our conversation about when you should talk to your pastor, specifically what to expect in your conversation, how to approach him with your question, and why you aren’t a burden on him. This is part two of this conversation, and you can hear part one here! Today’s program is a rebroadcast from March 12, 2018.

Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Sarah and guest host Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, to talk about the difference between pastoral care and counseling, when you should talk to your pastor, and why pastors need to know what you’re going through. This is part one of this conversation, and you can hear part two here! Today’s program is a rebroadcast from March 12, 2018.

Rev. William Weedon, Director of Worship with the LCMS, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger, managing editor of the Lutheran Witness, to talk about the difference between Christmas and Epiphany and a few of the themes we find in the season of Epiphany. Find worship resources at lcms.org/worship.

Rachel Bomberger, managing editor of the Lutheran Witness, joins Sarah to talk about how the theme of the January Lutheran Witness also applies in the home, including how parents influence their children in the Word of God and how spouses also encourage each other in the Word. Find the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe at cph.org/witness.

Emmy Woock, Director of Music Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rev. William Weedon, LCMS Director of Worship, to talk about the importance of training young people in the music and liturgy of the church, the program she created to teach young people to play organ, and how other churches can do the same. Follow Redeemer at facebook.com/RedeemerElmhurst. This is a rebroadcast from July 23, 2018.

Rev. Dr. John Sias, Secretary of the LCMS, joins Sarah to talk about the upcoming deadlines regarding the 2019 National Synodical Convention (including nominations for president!), presidential election voter registration, and the overtures that will be considered at convention. Learn more about the upcoming convention at lcms.org/convention.

Cheryl Magness, Managing Editor of Reporter Online with LCMS Communications, joins Sarah for an overview of the January edition of the Reporter, including a photo spread from Erik Lunsford, an special insert on Worker Wellness, and many stories on important things going on around the Synod. Find online stories and subscribe to the Reporter at reporter.lcms.org.

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, pastor of St Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, KFUO Radio’s Church of the Week, joins Sarah to talk about who St. Mark’s is, and also the rich theology of the Baptism of Jesus. Learn more about St. Mark’s at stmarksferndale.com.

Rev. Adam and Deaconess Melissa DeGroot, domestic missionaries in Albuquerque, New Mexico, join Sarah to talk about their work in New Mexico, the congregation they’re serving at St. Andrew, and their hope for St. Andrew in the coming months. Follow their story in their Facebook Group DeGroots in ABQ and find information about St. Andrew Lutheran Church at saintandrewlutheran.church and facebook.com/standrewabq. If you’d like to support their work as missionaries, visit lcms.org/degroot.

Dr. David Scaer, The David P. Scaer Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology and Chairman of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Sarah to talk about the upcoming Symposia Series, including the exegetical symposium on themes in the Gospel of John and the systematic symposium focusing on the meaning of Biblical authority. Find details and register at ctsfw.edu/ctsfw-events/symposia.

Deaconess Betsy Karkan, university deaconess at Concordia University Chicago, joins Sarah and guest co-host Peter Slayton, LCMS social media manager, to talk about some survival tips for the March for Life, including what to expect, things to pack, and what to look forward to. If you’re planning on joining the LCMS groups at the 2019 Chicago or DC marches, look for fluorescent yellow hats and meet at Federal Plaza in Chicago, and on 12th street between Jefferson and Madison in DC. Find details about the Chicago March at marchforlife-chicago.org and the DC March at marchforlife.org/mfl-2019.

Rev. Eric Longman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, Missouri, joins Sarah and guest co-host Peter Slayton, LCMS social media manager, to talk about the “Night to Shine” event being held at St. Paul on February 8. “Night to Shine” is a prom experience for people with special needs, to show the love of Christ to them in a festive environment. Learn more about the event at St. Paul at stpauljackson.com/night-to-shine, and find more information about “Night to Shine” at timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/night-to-shine.

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, joins Sarah to talk about the theology of the Baptism of our Lord using hymns we sing for this day in our liturgical calendar, specifically Lutheran Service Book 405 “To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord” and 404 “Jesus Once with Sinners Numbered.” Text of LSB 405 “To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord” © 1993 James P. Tiefel

Marguerite Duane, MD, MHA, FAAFP, Executive Director of FACTS (Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach the Science), joins Sarah to talk about what fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) are, how they fit into whole-body wellness, and why medical professionals should know how to use them in their practices. FACTS is offering one day CME conferences geared to educate more medical professionals about the science supporting fertility awareness based methods. Learn more and register at FACTSaboutfertility.org/learn-more/conferences.

Sara Corenti, MS RD LD, Health and Wellness Educator with Concordia Plan Services, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger, managing witness of the Lutheran Witness, to talk about strategies for coping with seasonal affective disorder, resources for mental health, and some great ways to eat healthy during the winter. For Concordia Health Plan members, find Employee Assistance Program resources at mycigna.com, and non-CHP members can access resources at my.cigna.com?token=LCMS.

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, director of LCMS Witness & Outreach and Revitalization, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger, managing witness of the Lutheran Witness, to talk about witnessing from a Lutheran perspective, how the Apostles’ Creed creates a framework for how we can share Jesus’ story with others, and how we live out our lives as witnesses to the Gospel. Read Rev. Wood’s article “Evangelism” in the January edition of the Lutheran Witness, which you can subscribe to at cph.org/witness. Find online articles at witness.lcms.org.

Rachel Bomberger, managing editor of the Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the January edition of the Lutheran Witness which includes great articles on the topic of missions and witness from a Lutheran perspective. These articles will enlighten and challenge you in a wonderful way! Find your copy of the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Patti Garibay, Founder and Executive Director of American Heritage Girls, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how American Heritage Girls demonstrates an affirmation of life, how AHG troops will be learning about and supporting the value of human life, and the Respect Life patch that girls are eligible to earn. Learn more about American Heritage Girls at aghonline.org.