The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

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...

How are church work students formed at Concordia St. Paul? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry; Director of the Pre-Seminary Program; Director of the Center for Biblical Studies; Concordia University, St. Paul) and the Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann (Vice President of Faith and Ministry; Theology Department Chair; Chief Mission Officer; Concordia University, St. Paul) join Andy an...

Has God chosen some to go to heaven and some to go to hell before they were even born? The Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer (Executive Director, LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the "crux theologorum" or main theological question of "why some and not others" in the doctrine of election, including what Scripture says about election, the historic Lutheran...

How did early Lutheran synods join in fellowship? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the breakup of the General Synod, the significance of the Free Conferences, the chall...

How can churches prepare to celebrate Armed Forces Sunday? Chaplain Craig Muehler (Director, LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces) joins Sarah to share the work of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, how LCMS chaplains support service personnel and their families, stories of chaplains in action, what Armed Forces Sunday is and how congregations can pray for our national military, and how Operation Bar...

For several decades the Rev. Dr. Paul W. Devantier served both the church and his neighbors graciously.  You may recognize his voice from the long-running program By the Way. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, called His servant, Paul, to eternal rest on Nov. 30, 2025. Today, we give thanks to God and remember Rev. Dr. Paul W. Devantier. Joanie Harwell (former KFUO Radio Director of Devel...

How are church workers formed at Concordia University Chicago? The Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton (Assistant Professor of Theology, Director Pre-Seminary program, Concordia University Chicago) and the Rev. Simeon Raddatz (University Chaplain, Concordia University Chicago) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what they love about what they get to do at Concordia Chicago, how their individual areas of expertise...

Why is it important for the Church to encourage the creation of theologically rich and musically beautiful hymnody? Dr. Jon Vieker (Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Chapel, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis), Katie Schuermann (author and storyteller, most notably of the Anthems of Zion series from CPH), and Dr. Lisa Clark (hymn writer, Senior Editor of Curriculum Resources at CPH)...

How did small synods fight for church unity during the Civil War years? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the historical context and implications of the breakup of the G...

What does the LCMS Youth Ministry team learn from each Gathering's Youth Poll? The Rev. Mark Kiessling (director, LCMS Youth Ministry) and DCE Julianna Shults (program manager, LCMS Youth Ministry) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of the Youth Poll, how this poll helps inform those who care about young people, the topics usually covered in the poll, what we've learned from past polls,...

Are you ready to be refreshed through an evening of poetry, storytelling, and music? Tanner Olson (author, poet, speaker) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what he's been working on in the last few years, including his most recent book Getting Through What You're Going Through. He shares his upcoming tour dates, what he loves about traveling and presenting poetry for an audience, and why he think...

How does a community market support the mission of CFNA to support new Americans? Amy Ziegler (Community Engagement Associate, Christian Friends of New Americans) and Grand Market vendor Edit Daliri join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Edit became involved in CFNA; where the idea for the Grand Market began; what happens at the Grand Market; Edit's creative outlet through her jewelry-making busine...

How are laypersons involved in church worker formation? John Schmall and DoRena Wirgau join Andy and Sarah to talk about where they live and how they serve in their congregations, their experiences in the SAS Pilot Program and what they learned about church worker formation, how large and small churches can engage youth in the Divine Service, how they see the Church supporting and mentoring youth...

“Free will” is not a phrase found in the Bible. The concept seems to have been brought into Christian theology by the church father Tertullian (160–240), who likely borrowed it from Stoic philosophy. Augustine (354–430) wrote a treatise called "On Free Choice of the Will" early in his career but altered some of his views later, which led to much debate and confusion on the issue throughout the Mid...

How did Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz influence the development of American Lutheranism? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the historical tensions within Ame...

Concordia Publishing House has launched free online access to the Book of Concord! The Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine (Vice President of Publishing, Concordia Publishing House) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why it's important to CPH to make the Reader's Edition of the Lutheran Confessions accessible, why it's important for lay people to have easy access to the Lutheran Confessions, who they had in mi...

Where are we in the current convention cycle? The Rev. Dr. John Sias (Secretary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where we currently are in the convention cycle, including President/Vice President nominations, President/Vice President voter registration, overture submissions, what happens during Floor Committee weekend, and what documents to watch for in the c...

How can families participate in MO Scholars for next school year? Joshua Swartz (Director of Schools, Missouri District – LCMS) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what MO Scholars is, who is eligible, how this program makes a difference for families, and the application deadline. Find all the details at mo.lcms.org/mo-scholars. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join ho...

How are church work students formed at Concordia University Wisconsin? The Rev. Dr. Aaron Moldenhauer (Vice President for Mission and Church Relations and Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Wisconsin) and the Rev. Dr. Brian German (Department Chair and Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Wisconsin, and host of Christ in Every Word, Concordia Bible Institute) jo...

How does Concordia University Chicago help graduate students Advance with Purpose? The Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall (Associate Vice President for Church Relations and Mission, Concordia University Chicago) and Sean Yerkes (Associate Vice President for Graduate and Accelerated Admission, Concordia University Chicago) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what they get to do with Concordia University Chicago (...

How did Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz influence the development of American Lutheranism? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle of the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the development of American Luthera...

It is National Lutheran Schools Week, and we're celebrating the gift of Lutheran schools in our communities! Dan Snyder (Headmaster, Concordia Academy, Wichita, KS) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the original dream for opening a classical Lutheran school in the Wichita area, the need for a classical school in the community, how this dream moved from vision to reality, the community's response...

It is National Lutheran Schools Week, and we're celebrating the gift of Lutheran schools in our communities! Mr. Sam Eckman (Principal, Christ the King Lutheran High School, Washington, MO) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about this brand-new Lutheran school, now enrolling for Fall 2026! Eckman shares about the need they saw for a Lutheran high school in the community surrounding Washington, what it...

It is National Lutheran Schools Week, and we're celebrating the gift of Lutheran schools in our communities! The Rev. Joey Bluege (Executive Director and Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church & School, Branson, MO) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community of Branson, and the need for a Lutheran high school there. He describes the journey toward opening Faith Lutheran, what he loves about his part...

It is National Lutheran Schools Week, and we're celebrating the gift of Lutheran schools in our communities! Stephanie Grandestaff (Executive Director, Springfield Lutheran High School, Springfield, MO) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the original dream of opening a Lutheran high school in Springfield, the need for a Lutheran high school in the community, how the dream became a reality, and wha...