The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How is a young church musician formed through Lutheran education at Concordia University Irvine? Olivia Thoelke, Church Music/Director of Parish Music student at Concordia University Irvine, joins Andy and Sarah from the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to talk about where her interest in church music began, who has been most influential in shaping her as a child of God and as...

How does the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music help form musicians and church workers? Kathy May, serving at Peace Lutheran Church and Academy in Sussex, WI, joins Andy and Sarah from the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to share how she serves at Peace Lutheran Church and Academy, what she has learned from attending several Institutes over the years, how t...

Charles I ascended to the throne in 1625. How did he approach his rule differently? In episode 5 of our series on the Puritan movement, we dive into both the political and religious issues during the reign of Charles I, including his touchy relationship with Parliament, his alliance with anti-Calvinists and Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, the ensuing drama between the Archbishop and the Pur...

Why is giving attention to wellness and mental health important for church workers in today’s cultural context? Rev. Kevin Bueltmann, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat in Wickenburg, AZ, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about how Shepherd’s Canyon serves the Church today, how church...

The 1847 historical sanctuary, parsonage and school at St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden, IL, was destroyed by a tornado and subsequently rebuilt. How does this building serve the community of St. John’s and New Minden? The Rev. Tim Mueller, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Covington, IL (KFUO Radio’s Church of the Week), joins Andy and Sa...

How do Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) serve at the LCMS Youth Gathering? Brandon Heath — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Co-Manager and DCE at Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, CA, Laura Courvoisier — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Co-Manager, Wes Gong — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Leadership Team, and Leah Baranski — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Leadership Team join Andy and Sarah...

What was the state of the Church of England when Charles I became king? In episode 4 of our series on the Puritan Movement, learn about the difference between Calvinists and Anti-Calvinists/Anti-Puritanists, how Arminianism played a role in the developing theology of the time, who Charles Montague was and his role in the drama with Parliament and Charles I, and the growing tension between Charles...

How does Project 24 change the lives of students and families in Kenya? Britt Odemba, serving the Lord as an LCMS missionary in Kenya, joins Andy and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about how she became a missionary in Kenya, the ways in which she serves today, what Project 24 is and how it serves students and families...

How do musicians serve the church in music composition? Kile and Jacqueline Smith, musicians serving the church, join Andy and Sarah at the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to talk about how music has been a part of their lives, how they met and how music was a part of their relationship, how they became a part of the LCMS, and how they serve the church as musicians and c...

How does a Lutheran teacher build relationships with students, families, and colleagues? Debbie Armbruster, retired teacher at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School in Eureka, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about her experiences in Lutheran education as a student, how she was formed in her Lutheran faith and vocations at Lutheran schools, her journey to becoming...

How do visual art and graphic design serve the church and ministry of the Word? April Parviz, Graphic Designer and Visual Artist, joins Andy and Sarah from the 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music to talk about her life as a graphic designer and visual artist, how excellence plays a role in creative arts, how her art is a reflection of who she is and what she believes, and her cu...

We have come to the reign of King James in episode 3 of our series on the Puritan Movement. Who was King James and how did the Puritan Movement resurface during his reign? Hear about how the Puritan movement became the Separatists, when Puritans officially left the Church of England, the development of the group that would travel to the New World, and the story of the Puritans who traveled to Plym...

How has Soldiers of the Cross supported LCMS church workers?  Deaconess Maryann Hayter, LCMS Manager of Grants Administration, joins Andy and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about what Soldiers of the Cross is, the scenarios in which a church worker may need support from Soldiers of the Cross, how this program supports...

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Des Peres, MO, is celebrating 175 years with exciting expansion. Rev. Dr. Glen Thomas — Senior Pastor at St. Paul’s, Sharon Whitlock — Long-time member at St. Paul’s, and Mark Canon — President of the congregation at St. Paul’s, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, how Sharon is related to some charter memb...

How does a visual arts teacher serve in a Lutheran high school? Anna Bloomfield, visual arts teacher at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about who influenced her to consider and become a Lutheran school teacher, her journey to becoming a Lutheran school teacher, the types of things a visual arts teacher gets to share with studen...

Steven Wolters, KFUO Radio listener and donor, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about when he first began listening to KFUO Radio, how it became a regular practice for him and his son, how our programs him help him in his daily vocations, and how listening to KFUO Radio has made a difference for his family. If you'd like to become a supporter like Steven, visit kfuo.org/give. This program originally a...

What were the Puritan critiques of the Church of England? In episode 2 in our series on the Puritan Movement, learn what the Puritan movement stood for, how they sought to improve the preaching in the Church of England, and the many issues they had with the Church of England’s theology. These things include their idea of experiential piety, the sanctified life, Sabbatarianism, and the different fa...

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the LCMS and International Center Chaplain, joins Sarah to talk about how the Athanasian Creed became part of our Confessions, who St. Athanasius was and his relationship to this creed, how it's similar and different to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, some of the language that might make us uncomfortable and also the beautiful language to pay attention t...

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 i...

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 ad...

Today, June 27, the Christian church commemorates Cyril of Alexandria. Who was this significant historical figure? Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Director of Field Education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, joins Andy to discuss! 

What are the origins of America’s biggest Protestant denominations? To answer this question, we must revisit 16th Century England. Today we begin a new history series with Dr. Cameron MacKenzie on the Puritan movement. In this episode, hear about Queen Elizabeth, the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity, the Book of Common Prayer, how the Puritan movement began in the Church of England, and...

We’re celebrating DCEs in preparation for National DCE Day on June 26! Melissa Luepke — Director of Faith Formation at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, Becca Klemm — Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, and Nick Moss — DCE at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakeland, FL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they first learned about directors of Chris...

How do new missionaries prepare to serve on the mission field? Stan and Dana Stigdon — serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and Ariana Gomez — Manager of Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how the Stigdons are preparing to serve in the Dominican Republic, how their previous voc...

What brings joy to elementary school teachers? Erin Rodgers, Teacher at First Lutheran Church and School in Knoxville, TN, Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about who influenced her to consider and become a Lutheran school teacher, her journey to becoming a Lutheran school teacher, what brings her joy as a Lutheran teacher, and how her congregation supports and forms future...