The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What is unique about Concordia University Wisconsin's approach to engineering education? Subha Kumpaty, D.Min., Ph.D. (Engineering Program Chair for Concordia University Wisconsin) and Lucas Kearny (Concordia University Wisconsin Industrial Engineering Student) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the increase of interest in careers in engineering, how CUW is meeting the need for engineering education, the newest program in Mechanical Engineering, how students gain hands-on practical experience and real-world preparation in this program, and what Lucas has experienced so far in his program. Learn more about CUW Engineering programs, specifically the new Mechanical Engineering degree, at cuw.edu/academics/programs/mechanical-engineering-bachelors/index.html.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are international students brought into community with Lutherans around the world? Sue Hasselbring (Ministry Catalyst for International Student Ministry, Inc.) and Ken Bickel (Board President for International Student Ministry, Inc.) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why International Student Ministry exists and how they serve students, how each of them got involved, what occurs through each ISM site, and information about two upcoming events: In Depth Bible seminar and Equipping Conference. Learn more about International Student Ministry, Inc., and how to get involved at isminc.org or by contacting [email protected].
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Sacred Music Educator in Asia for the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Easter hymns! Learn about Lutheran Service Book 458 "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands," Lutheran Service Book 476 "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow," and Lutheran Service Book 466 "Christ is Arisen, Alleluia." Read Deaconess Rhein's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rhein.
 
 This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What happens when the church in New England grows and the Halfway Covenant is established? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 6, we learn about Roger Williams and Rhode Island, declension of the church, issues that start to arise in New England, and how the Halfway Covenant was established.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the services of the Triduum during Holy Week, the origins of these services, what makes Tenebrae a unique service among the others, and the beautiful Responsories used in the Medieval church during these Tenebrae services.
 
 Listen to the Responsories by Carlo Gesualdo on YouTube.
 
 This episode originally aired on April 5, 2023. 
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is theological education like at the new Lutheran seminary in Tanzania? Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne, serving the Lord in Tanzania, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journey to serving as missionaries in Tanzania, the community where they live, how both of them are involved in theological education at the new Lutheran seminary there, how their service in the Peace Corps prepared them for service on the mission field, and family life in Tanzania. Learn more about the Paynes and how to support their work at lcms.org/payne and facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094281640024. Reach out to Rev. Payne at [email protected].
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What does theological education look like at the Lutheran seminary in Ethiopia? The Rev. Eric and Johanna Stinnett, serving the Lord in Ethiopia, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journey to being missionaries in Ethiopia, the community where they live, what teaching theology looks like at the seminary, the challenges and rewards of their work, and family life in Ethiopia.
 
 Learn more about the Stinnetts and how to support their work at lcms.org/stinnett and facebook.com/stinnettsinethiopia. Reach out to Rev. Stinnett at [email protected].
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How was Rhode Island founded, and what was the religious landscape like in this colony? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 5, we learn about Anne Hutchinson and her religious beliefs, Thomas Hooker and his belief in Preparation, John Cotton and his religious beliefs, Roger Williams and his championing of religious liberty, and the founding of Rhode Island.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why is the vicarage year such an important part of pastoral formation in the LCMS? The Rev. David Nehrenz, President of the LCMS Oklahoma District, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to share his journey into the Holy Ministry. He discusses his current vocation as District President, reflects on how his own vicarage was a formative experience, and talks about the vicars he has supervised over the years. Rev. Nehrenz also explains what a typical vicarage year looks like for seminarians, the importance of the relationships that form between vicars and their congregations, and the ways he has seen vicars grow during this year of experience.
 
 Learn more about the LCMS Oklahoma District at oklahomalutherans.org.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

With the retirement of Jenny Williams, we have a new Lead Producer! Sara Schaible, KFUO Radio's new Lead Producer, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what she was doing before she joined the KFUO team, her chief duties at KFUO, what she loves about what she does, and the most valuable things she learned from Jenny before her retirement. (And of course, our infamous Lightning Round of Favorites!) Welcome to the team, Sara!
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are CPH's Arch Books used as outreach tools in communities? Elizabeth Pittman, director of Concordia Gospel Outreach with Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what Arch Books are, how they convey the truth of God's Word, how Arch Books are used as outreach tools, and where Arch Books are being shared in food banks today. Learn more about Concordia Gospel Outreach at concordiagospeloutreach.org, email [email protected], and read more about this story at blog.cph.org/serve/concordia-gospel-outreachs-food-bank-arch-book-program-comes-to-life.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How and why was the Concordia University System established? The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel (Vice President, Concordia University System) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how and why the Concordia University System was established, some of the long history of higher education in the LCMS, the relationship of the Concordias to the LCMS, challenges and benefits to this relationship, and how the Concordias serve the Church. Learn more and sign up for the CUS newsletter at cus.edu, and follow on Facebook here.
 
 Today’s episode of The Coffee Hour is underwritten in part by Concordia University Nebraska. You can learn more about Concordia University Nebraska at cune.edu.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the difference between Palm Sunday and Sunday of the Passion, how the Church typically observes Palm Sunday, what makes this day unique in the Church Year, and the scripture readings and hymns we have for this day. Learn more about our Lutheran Church Year and practices at lcms.org/worship.
 
 This program originally aired on March 25, 2021.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 4, we learn about the Puritans and Pilgrims settling into the New World colonies, the challenges they faced, the kind of church establishment they formed, what covenant congregationalist churches believed versus Presbyterians, and tensions between two wings of Puritans concerning the experience of grace in their lives.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What's life like as a seminary president? The Rev. Dr. Tom Egger, President of Concordia Seminary in St Louis, joins Andy during Sharathon 2025 for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what he gets to do as a seminary president, his path to becoming a church worker, and how pastors and parents shape faith and interest in church work.
 
 Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How has Set Apart to Serve shaped how we think about full-time service in the church? The Rev. Dr. James Baneck (Executive Director, Pastoral Education, Set Apart to Serve) joins Andy and Sarah during Sharathon 2025 for our Set Apart to Serve series to discuss full-time church work, what he has been learning about how the church understands church work and formation, who he has been meeting as he makes visits for Set Apart to Serve, and how he has been seeing great partnerships continue to raise up future church workers.
 
 Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Jesus says of the Old Testament Scriptures that “they … bear witness about Me” (John 5:39). This is especially true of two central messianic prophecies, Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and Psalm 22, which feature prominently in Holy Week services. In Isaiah 52–53, we gain remarkable details about Jesus’ crucifixion from a prophecy that was written more than 700 years before His death. In Psalm 22, the Holy Spirit inspired David, about 1,000 years before Jesus’ birth, to record words that apply in part to David himself but above all to the Messiah. It would not be a stretch to say that Isaiah 52–53 is a biographical portrait of Jesus Christ, and Psalm 22 is autobiographical, since Jesus took the words of David on His own lips at His crucifixion. Or perhaps we should view it the other way around, with “David’s Son, yet David’s Lord” (LSB 451:1; cf. Matthew 22:41–46) lending the words to His ancestor. Either way, opening the Old Testament leads us straight to Jesus.
 
 Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the April 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The Suffering Servant” on Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and Psalm 22. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month 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.

It's Sharathon 2025, and we're having a mini Hymn Festival! Dr. John Behnke (composer, Professor Emeritus of Concordia University Wisconsin, and Music Director at Lakeside Lutheran Church, Venice FL) and the Rev. Stephen Starke (published hymnwriter and pastor emeritus of St. John Amelith Lutheran Church, Bay City, MI) join Andy and Sarah for a special hymn festival.
 
 Today's music is performed by Dr. John Behnke:
 "Prelude on THAXTED" (LSB 941) Biblical Canticles
 "O Darkest Woe" (LSB 448) Good Friday
 "Toccata on DUKE STREET" (LSB 461) Easter
 "Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" (LSB 708) Trust
 "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee" (LSB 750) Hope and Comfort
 
 All music is copyright by Concordia Publishing House. Recordings copyright by Dr. John A. Behnke. All music is used and published with permission.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What does Scripture say about good works? The Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of KFUO Radio’s Concord Matters, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Formula of Concord reading plan he created for 2025, including the questions concerning good works that are addressed in this month’s readings. What does Scripture say about good works? What was the controversy during the Reformation concerning good works? How do we speak about good works? What is the relationship between faith and good works? Find the full reading plan from The Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org/2024/reading-plan, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.
 
 April | Good Works
 
 Week 1:
 Ep IV 1-4 (p.482)
 AC XX (p.41-44)
 Week 2:
 Ep IV 5-15 (p.483)
 Ap V #257-279 (p.140-143)
 Week 3:
 Ap XX (p.199-201)
 FC SD IV #6-13 (p.546-548)
 Week 4:
 Ep IV 16-19 (p.483-484)
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Jenny Williams, our wonderful Lead Producer, is concluding 35 years of service to the LCMS and KFUO Radio! The Rev. John Lukomski, the Rev. Timothy Appel, the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, and the Rev. Brady Finnern join Andy in thanking Jenny for 35 years of faithful service to the LCMS and KFUO Radio. Jenny shares when her career began at KFUO Radio and the LCMS, who was on staff during her years of service, her favorite aspects of work at KFUO, and her plans for retirement. Congratulations and God's blessings, Jenny!!
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Who was John Winthrop, and what was his role in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 3, we discuss the context of the Puritan migration to New England during the reign of Charles I, Puritan leader John Winthrop, and the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Concordia Seminary concluding students Joseph Eggerman and Micah Brown join Andy to share the stories of their seminary experience and pastoral formation. They talk about the challenges and key moments that shaped their pastoral training, as well as their aspirations for future ministry.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Illinois House Bill 2827 proposes new regulations for homeschooling and private religious schools, raising concerns among faith-based educators. The Rev. Heath Curtis, President of the LCMS Southern Illinois District, joins Andy and guest cohost Jordan Harms to discuss what this bill would require of homeschool families and Lutheran schools. Pastor Curtis shares his concerns about the bill’s potential impact and what Illinois residents can do in response.
 
 Resources: 
 
 Read HB2827 here: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2827&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104
 Contact your Illinois representative: https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=23523
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul) joins Andy and Sarah for Part 4 of our series on his book Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus to discuss the significance of the tabernacle, the implications of the golden calf incident, the meaning of the name Yahweh, and God's relationship with Israel after Sinai. Find Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus here.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do new pastors and their families find mutual encouragement and support? PALS Facilitator Rev. Steve Wagner from Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, and PALS Facilitators Rev. David & Kassie Weaver from Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson, IL, join Andy to talk about Post Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS), how PALS serves new pastors and families, their own experiences in ministry and how those experiences help them as PALS facilitators, and how aspects of ministry affect marriage and family life in a different way than other careers. Learn more about PALS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/education/pastoral/post-seminary-applied-learning-and-support. 
 
 This episode originally aired on July 1, 2024.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What happened when Separatists from the Church of England left for North America? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 2, we move to New England and the Puritan settlements, discussing how the Separatists left for North America, the settlement at Plymouth Plantation, the difference between Pilgrims and Puritans, and the Puritans who didn't separate from the Church of England.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does the LCMS National Youth Gathering feed and nourish the faith and vocations of the participants? The Rev. Mark Kiessling, Director of LCMS Youth Ministry, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to discuss his own vocational journey, the work of LCMS Youth Ministry, a brief history of the Youth Gathering and how it's grown over the years, the Gathering's impact on the faith and vocations of participants, and how the Gathering forms and recruits both youth and adults for full-time church work. Find all thing LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why was complaining a temptation for Israel after they left Egypt, and why is it still a struggle for us today? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on his book Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus to talk about Israel’s relationship with shame in Exodus, why complaining is such a temptation, what is significant about Rephidim, the role of Mount Sinai in the Exodus story, and how God’s redemptive activity is for all creation. Find Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus here.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Mark your calendars for April 3rd-5th so you can join us for Sharathon 2025! KFUO Team Members Mary Schmidt and Rev. Doug Griebenaw join Andy and Sarah for a preview of KFUO Sharathon 2025, including this year's giving levels and special thank-you gifts, why your support is vital to our operation, and how to participate this year. Learn more and give your gift today at kfuo.org/sharathon.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can you serve at the upcoming English Bible Camp in Taiwan? Mindy Thews, LCMS Lutheran Education Coordinator in Taiwan, and Erin Alter, Director of Short-term Missions with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy to talk about what happens at an English Bible Camp. Tune in to hear some highlights from last year’s English Bible Camp in Taiwan, how volunteers serve, and what last year's participants have shared about their experiences. Learn more and join this year's team at servenow.lcms.org/opp/2025-english-bible-camp-taiwan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can theological education strengthen the Lutheran church in Taiwan and beyond? Rev. Dr. Tom Park, Serving the Lord in Taiwan as a theological educator, joins Andy to discuss the Lutheran presence in the region and the LCMS’s partnerships there. He shares about the current need for theological education in Taiwan, the request that led to the creation of a new seminary, and how Concordia Theological Seminary Taiwan will serve China Evangelical Lutheran Church and other Lutherans across Asia. Learn more about Dr. Park's work at lcms.org/park, and stay updated on LCMS Asia region news at international.lcms.org/asia.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why did the the Puritan movement start, and when did Puritans decide to travel to the New World? The Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 1, we continue where our last series left off with the Puritan movement in England to revisit how that movement started, how King James played a role in the Puritan movement in Great Britain, and what led the Pilgrims and Puritans to leave England for the New World between 1620-1640.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 All episodes in The Puritan Movement series
 Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here
 Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why is it important to provide young adults with a space to grow in theological understanding? The Rev. Harrison Goodman (Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things) and Crysten Sanchez (Executive Director of Operations for Higher Things) join Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to discuss the upcoming HT Beyond: Eyes to See - A Young Adult Event from Higher Things, including what HT Beyond is, the significance of this space for young adults, what young adults will learn about art and architecture through the event, the topics liturgical artist Ed Riojas will present on, and how events like these inspire young adults to consider church work vocations. Learn more and register here.
 
 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.

What is significant about the miracles in the exodus story? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on his book Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus to talk about who Moses is, the significance of miracles in this story, how the plagues directly address Egypt's gods, the context of the Passover, and where we still sing Israel's song of deliverance today. Find Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus here.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why do we have a Concordia University System? The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel (Vice President, Concordia University System) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what the Concordia University System (CUS) is, where each of the Concordias are and how this has changed over the long history of CUS, their visits to campuses and what happens on an official visit, the incredible things going on at our Concordia Universities, and where you can find both of them at upcoming conventions this year. Subscribe to the CUS newsletter and learn more about CUS at cus.edu.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What lessons can we learn from the book of Joshua? Donna Snow, author of many books including the new Strong and Courageous: Studying God's Promises in Joshua from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why she chose to write a new book on Joshua, what she found most interesting about Joshua as she considered writing this study, her research for this book, what she has learned in her study of God’s Word that has changed her, and the most challenging part of the writing process. Find Strong and Courageous: Studying God's Promises in Joshua here.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does Lutheran Senior Services, now EverTrue, serve the community? Rev. Dr. Travis Scholl, Corporate Director of Mission Integration for EverTrue, the KFUO Organization of the Week for March 9-15, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why Lutheran Senior Services made the name change to EverTrue, what a Life Plan Community is, how EverTrue serves its residents and clients, and what makes EverTrue unique among organizations serving older adults. Learn more about EverTrue at evertrueliving.org.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

You have the opportunity to serve on a short term mission trip to South Africa for Bible Camp! Shara Osiro (serving the Lord in Africa as Regional Shared Ministries manager) and Erin Alter (Director of Short-Term Missions for the LCMS Office of International Mission) join Andy and Sarah to discuss Shara's work managing and supporting ministries across the region, her experience as a short-term volunteer prior to serving full-time, and what it was like for her to serve with Bible Camp alongside our partners in the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa last year. Tune in to hear how you can serve in a capacity similar to this, and what the team will be doing at Bible Camp! Find Shara's prayer card and support information at lcms.org/osiro. Learn more and apply to serve on the Bible Camp team at servenow.lcms.org/opp/bible-camp-team-south-africa.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is the joy in teaching at a Lutheran High School? Rev. Joe Cox, head of Academics at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about his journey to the seminary and into the teaching vocation, what gives him joy as a Lutheran high school teacher, the relationships he builds with students as a part of their formation as young adults, how he and other school leadership work with parents in the formation journey, and his favorite lessons to teach students. 
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is unique or interesting about the book of Exodus? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University St. Paul) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on his book Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus to discuss who the book of Exodus is about, what is unique about Exodus, our connection to and Christ's place in the Exodus story, and the different ways we can view or outline this book of the Bible. Find Deliver Us: God's Rescue Story in Exodus at cph.org/deliver-us-gods-rescue-story-in-exodus.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

On Ash Wednesday (March 5), the church enters the holy season of Lent, in which we focus on Christ’s righteousness, sufferings and death, and the new testament in His blood. Much ink has been spilt over the decision of St. Jerome to translate the Greek "diatheke" as "testamentum" in his Latin Vulgate, which ultimately influenced the King James Version’s selection of “testament” as a translation of this term. This, in turn, led to our common division of “Old Testament” (2 Corinthians 3:14) and “New Testament” (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15). However, diatheke can also mean “covenant,” which is how many recent English translations, such as the ESV, render the term (except in Hebrews 9:16–17, where it opts for “will,” as in, “last will and testament”). Lutherans tend to prefer the translation “testament” over “covenant,” since covenants in the Bible sometimes require works on the part of humans. But in no case does a testament (a will) involve the works of the beneficiary — not to mention that it must be put into effect by the death of the testator. As we will see, even “covenant” can be understood correctly — provided that we pay attention to context and keep in mind the proper distinction between Law and Gospel.
 
 Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the March 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Covenant or Testament?” on Jeremiah 31:31–34. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month 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. 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What does righteousness have to do with good works? The Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of KFUO Radio’s Concord Matters, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Formula of Concord reading plan he created for 2025, including the questions concerning our righteousness that are addressed in this month’s readings. What does righteousness have to do with good works? What are the Smalcald Articles? How do we speak about our works when they are done in faith? Where do we find all of this in Scripture? Find the full reading plan from The Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org/2024/reading-plan, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.
 
 MARCH | The Righteousness of Faith Before God
 WEEK 1:
 Ep III 1–2 (p. 479–480)
 AC IV (p. 32–33)
 WEEK 2:
 Ep III 3–11 (p. 480–481)
 Ap IV 1–47 (p. 82–88)
 WEEK 3:
 SA Part III, Article XIII (p. 283)
 SD III 6–17 (p. 536–539)
 WEEK 4:
 Ep III 12–23 (p. 481–482)
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What has been the state of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) after the Theses of Agreement in 1966? The Rev. Thomas Pietsch, Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin, joins Andy and Sarah for the fourth episode in our series on Australian Lutheranism to talk about how the ordination of women become a significant point of opposition in the LCA, the effect of the disagreement on the union, the argument in favor of ordaining women, and how differing viewpoints led to the creation of the newly formed Lutheran Mission - Australia.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 Theses of Agreement: lca.org.au/foundational-documents
 The history of the Lutheran Church in Australia: lca.org.au/our-history
 Lutheran Mission – Australia: lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au and facebook.com/LutheranMissionAustralia
 All episodes in the Lutheran Mission – Australia series: kfuo.org/tag/lutheran-mission-australia
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can camp ministry form future church workers? David Vandercar (Executive Director of Lakeview Ministries in Seymour, Indiana) and Danny Frastaci (Operations Director of Lakeview Ministries in Seymour, Indiana) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about Lakeview Ministries, how life at camp shapes attitudes concerning a life of Christian service, how many church workers could potentially attribute experience at Lakeview to their consideration of full-time church work, what Lakeview does to intentionally to form church workers, and what's on deck for this summer. Find Lakeview Ministries at lakeview.camp and the National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association (NLOMA) at nloma.org.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Dr. Robert Sorensen, Professor of Theology and Foreign Languages at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about St. Matthias, whose commemoration day is February 24, including where we hear about St. Matthias in Scripture, what is unique about how he became an apostle, how he served the Church, and what we can learn from Matthias’ story and service to the Church.
 
 Feature image: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].
 
 The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

Why does having good listening and conversational skills truly matter? The Rev. Brian Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL, and author of “Captivating Conversations” (available from CPH), joins Sarah to talk about the current state of discourse in our culture, what we can learn from Jesus about having good conversations, what true listening looks like, how being curious and inquisitive can lead to healthy dialogue, and the steps we can take towards thoughtful listening.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Dr. Joe Herl, professor of music at Concordia University Nebraska, joins Andy and Sarah on Martin Luther's commemoration day (February 18) to talk about Luther's Deutsche Messe (German Mass), including the problems Luther had with the traditional Latin Mass, why Luther wrote this German Mass and who it was for, what the German Mass contained after he translated it from Latin, and where we have this Mass in our Lutheran liturgy today. Find Divine Service Setting 5 in Lutheran Service Book on p. 213.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How were early Lutheran congregations in Australia organized and unified? The Rev. Thomas Pietsch, Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin, joins Andy and Sarah for the third episode in our series on Australian Lutheranism to discuss how congregations and missions were organized and supported—from the time of the early missionaries to unification in 1966; the Theses of Agreement in 1966; what these Theses accomplished and did not accomplish; and how they have served the Lutheran Church of Australia since then.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 Theses of Agreement: lca.org.au/foundational-documents
 The history of the Lutheran Church in Australia: lca.org.au/our-history
 Lutheran Mission – Australia: lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au and facebook.com/LutheranMissionAustralia
 The Hermannsburg Choir: hermannsburg.com.au/stories/hermannsburg-choir
 All episodes in the Lutheran Mission – Australia series: kfuo.org/tag/lutheran-mission-australia
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are church work students prepared for well-being in their future vocations? Dr. Thaddeus Warren, Chair of the Department of Human and Social Sciences and DCE Program Director at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), joins Andy and Sarah to discuss his passion for worker well-being, the church work programs available at CUNE, and how students are formed for ministry. He also shares how students learn to build and maintain healthy relationships, and reflects on the significance of LCMS support for church worker wellness. Learn more about church work programs at CUNE at cune.edu.
 
 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.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does Christian Friends of New Americans help immigrants and refugees settle into their new country? The Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA), and Amy Ziegler, Community Engagement Associate with CFNA, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the refugees and immigrants who have found a new home in St. Louis and find support with CFNA, how they find their way to the United States, challenges these new neighbors face while building a new life, what day to day life looks like for immigrant and refugee families, how CFNA supports and cares for these families in the St. Louis area, the volunteers and supporters who contribute to these acts of mercy, and the current needs of refugee families in St. Louis. Learn more about CFNA and how you can support their work through time, talent, or treasure at cfna-stl.org.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].