The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the June/July 2022 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Knowing the Unknowable" on Ephesians 3:14-21. This year, "Searching the Scriptures" will study the book of Ephesians, so stay tuned each month for the next Bible study. Follow along and search the Scriptures...

Rev. Andrew Wehling, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Liberal, Kansas, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his own journey into his vocation of pastor, why it's important to talk with parents and families about the possibility of the young people in their lives pursuing church work vocations, some doubts parents might have about church work as a future for their children,...

Anna Mussmann, homeschool mom of four and author of "Making the Most of Your Kids’ Summer Boredom" on The Lutheran Witness Online, joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger, co-host of the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Podcast, to talk about how healthy boredom is a good thing, why we are so uncomfortable with boredom and solitude, how adults can overcome this uneasiness and lean into the boredom,...

Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson — Director of LCMS Disaster Response, and Rev. Kevin Robson — LCMS Chief Mission Officer, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) and Concordia Theological Seminary in Nagercoil, the destruction that happened to the Seminary in 2017, how this disaster impaired the operation of the seminary, how the LCMS helped partner with...

Dr. Thomas Korcok — Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education's (CCLE) 2022 magister magnus award winner; and author of Serpents in the Classroom: The Poisoning of Modern Education and How the Church Can Cure It, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why Classical Lutheran education is imp...

Tanner Olson, poet with Written to Speak and author of the new book Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why poetry is important (and not lame) for us today, the theme of his new book, a new adventure in partnering with Concordia Publishing House for this book, and where you can see Tanner live this summer. Find his book at books.c...

Rev. Herb and Markie Burch, serving the Lord in Belize, join Andy to talk about serving in Belize, the presence of Lutherans in Belize, the work they're carrying out in Belize, and how partnerships are an important part of the work. Read their story and how to support their work at lcms.org/burch.

Rev. James Woelmer, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas, joins Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about empowering parents to talk with their children about considering church work, including where church work vocations begin, why it's important for parents to have these conversations, some examples of how parents (and other adults) can faithfully encourage, some key point...

Benjamin Kolodziej — member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX, highly active church organist and composer, and contributor to the Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns, joins Sarah to talk about the Festival of the Holy Trinity and some of the hymns we sing for this festival. Learn interesting things about Lutheran Service Book 498/99 “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest,” Lutheran Service...

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...

Michelle Diercks, author of the new book Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Sarah to talk about her inspiration for writing this book, the "Five Rs" you can use as you study God's character, how learning about the characteristics of our God can help us find rest, and how readers can use this book. Find your copy at cph.org/rest.

Deaconess Anna Johnson, Senior Manager of Marketing with Concordia Publishing House, joins Sarah to talk about CPH Reads, why it's important to encourage reading over the summer, the wonderful books you can enjoy this summer, and how to participate in this program. Learn more and register at read.cph.org.

Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Illinois, joins Sarah to talk about the role of social media in a congregation, some common pitfalls that pastors and congregations can fall into, and examples of how to do social media well while staying focused on Christ crucified. This is a rebroadcast from June 24, 2019.

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

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, pastor of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about whether the 4th Commandment looks different as we and our parents mature, how the 4th Commandment applies as we care for aging parents, and how we can model the 4th Commandment well for our children. "The Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother. What does...

Jeannine Leibmann, MA, LPC, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the "sandwich generation," the common struggles that happen for those of us in the sandwich generation, and some helpful thoughts for navigating this time in life when caring for both children and parents. This is a rebroadcast from May 20, 2019.

Matt Machemer, Associate Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Pentecost hymns, the wonderful texts in these hymns, and what we learn about Pentecost by singing them. This is a rebroadcast from June 6, 2019.

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the connection of Pentecost in the New Testament to Shavuot in Old Testament, what happened at Pentecost that is still celebrated by the Church today, and what traditions commemorate this feast. This is a rebroadcast from June 5, 2019.

Rev. Tom Messer, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Michigan, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his life as a pastor, how this vocation can be challenging on physical health, what led up to his healthy lifestyle change, and how this lifestyle change has made a difference in his vocations as pastor, husband, and father. This is a rebroadcast from February 17, 2022.

Mrs. Janet Landgraf, Kindergarten Teacher at St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Eureka, Missouri, talks with Andy about kindergarten readiness, including how early stages of writing impact reading and practical steps parents can take at home with their preschoolers to prepare for kindergarten. Photo: Host Andy Bates talks with Mrs. Janet Landgraf. Courtesy  St Mark’s Lutheran Church & School, Eureka MO...

Kevin Hildebrand, Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, and Matt Machemer, Associate Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the CTSFW Kantorei, the role that a choral group like the Kantorei plays in pastoral formation, and how the Kantorei serves the church at large. Learn more at ctsfw.edu/choirs. This is a rebroadcast from Jan...

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what God’s memory has to do with growth, what God remembers (i.e. His character, His children, truth), how God's memory is wonderfully different than our own, and how remembering God's faithfulness is part of our growth. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT! Find all episode with the tag "Mental Health Monday." View Dea...

Rev. James Cleland, Production Specialist with KFUO Radio and Associate Pastor-Elect for St. Mark Lutheran Church & School in Houston, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah during his final days with KFUO Radio to share about his path to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, how he ended up at KFUO Radio, what he enjoyed and learned during his time in St. Louis, and how he will be serving the saints at St. Mark...

Erika Bennett, Director of Continuing Education with Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how continuing education supports the layperson as well as the church worker in their local context, what the Prof Insights Workshops entail, topics covered in the Prof Insights Workshops this year, where these workshops will be held across the country, and what attend...

Rev. Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about when the historic church began observing the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord as its own festival, the sources we have from the early church about the church's practices, what this celebration might have looked like, where we see the Ascension depicted in early church ar...