The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. William Weedon, LCMS Director of Worship, joins Andy to talk about the Feast of Ascension, the history of this feast in the church year, and the texts, prayers, and hymns we'll get to hear and sing.

Mark Bott— Founder of Operation Kidsafe International, joins Andy to talk about their innovative approach to helping parents maintain valuable information on an Amber Alert-ready Bio Card and children's safety education as well as the grand opening of a Child Safety Center in Wentzville, MO. Learn more about Operation Kidsafe International at operationkidsafe.org.

Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how context collapse affects how we interact with each other on social media, what scripture says about how we talk about hot topics (like abortion), and what it means to behave like a Christian online while still speaking the truth.

Bev Schaefer— Foster Parent Coordinator with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services Missouri, Debbie Wolf— Program Manager with Lutheran Family and Children’s Services PPAS Program, and Suzanne Pennycook— Foster Parent of 30 years, join Andy and Sarah during Foster Care Month to talk about the joys and challenges of foster parenting, the need for foster parents in St. Louis County, and the traini...

Katie Fiene, Swaddling Clothes Director at River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon, Illinois, and Barb Meade, Swaddling Clothes Director at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Colorado, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how the Fienes began Swaddling Clothes stores, how these stores serve and support families in their respective communities, and how they are able to share God’s love with d...

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.

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.

Andy and Sarah talk briefly with Deaconess Heidi Goehmann about wellness, and then discuss the positives of getting outside and being active, especially using active modes of transportation to get from one place to another. May 17 is Bike to Work Day, and May is Bike Month!

Rev. Scott Holder, Admissions and Recruitment with Concordia Seminary St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how Vocatio has made an impact on young people considering church work, the events and opportunities students have during Vocatio, and how this event benefits these young people. Learn more and register at csl.edu/vocatio.

Rev. Hesham Shehab, pastor of Salam Christian Fellowship with Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what Ramadan is for our Muslim neighbors, what’s important for Christians to understand about our Muslim neighbors, and how we can pray for our Muslim neighbors during Ramadan. Learn more about Salam Christian Fellowship at salamchristianfellowship.org.

Remkea Ockander, Director of Youth & Family Ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the community around them in the Fremont area, the destruction the flooding left in its wake, and the great need for volunteers. To lend a hand, visit goodshepherdlutheranchurch.org/project-restore-signup.

Rev. Jeremy Gorline, pastor of Child of God Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the history of Child of God Lutheran Church & School, how COGLCS serves the surrounding community, and what’s coming up for COGLCS this summer. Find them at coglcs.com.

Alyssa Anders, who currently serves through the LCMS in St. Petersburg, Russia, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria (an LCMS partner church) enabling them with English as a Second Language skills, the history of the Ingrian Lutheran Church, and adjusting to Russian culture and language. Learn more about Alyssa at lcms.org/anders.

Bonnie Hartman, RN, Volunteer with a Mercy Medical Team to Sierra Leone, and Anne Gonzalez, DCE, Manager of Short-term Mission Training & Engagement for the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Bonnie’s experience on MMTs to Sierra Leone, the life-saving work that happens during these MMTs, and the need for team members for the upcoming MMT to Ghana in September...

Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Illinois, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the modern mythology we find in super hero movies and comics, how we process Christian themes in these movies, and where we find our real Savior. Read movie reviews from the LCMS at blogs.lcms.org/tag/movie-review.

The Rev. AJ Espinosa, new host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what he’s been up to, why linguistics is so fascinating, his love for his daughters and wife, and what we can expect on Thy Strong Word. Find episodes at kfuo.org/category/thy-strong-word.

Daniel Jenkins, Vice President of Ministry Advancement with Lutheran Braille Workers, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the rich history of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW), misconceptions about Braille and the visually impaired that are helpful to understand, and the resources, products, and services that LBW provides free of charge to people around the world. Learn more, request resources, and in...

Andy and Sarah, along with Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, share more stories of their favorite teachers as we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week.

Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, Senior Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in York, Nebraska, and Aunnee Trampe, music teacher and voice of The Lutheran Songbird Project, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the idea that turned into the Lutheran Songbird Project, why it’s important for the music of the church to be accessible to everyone, and how people use The Lutheran Songbird Project. Find the music at facebo...

Rep. Nick Schroer, who represents part of St. Charles County (District 107) in the Missouri House of Representatives (R) and is the Primary Sponsor of Missouri House Bill 126, known as the Heartbeat Bill, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the origin of House Bill 126, why many states have moved forward with their own Heartbeat Bills, what Missouri’s HB 126 will accomplish, and the status and outl...

Samantha Bear, Adult Living Skills Professor/Campus and Community Life Coordinator with Bethesda College Of Applied Learning at Concordia University Wisconsin, and Kalindi Drewry, second year Bethesda College student, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what Bethesda College of Applied Learning is and how it prepares students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for independent adult liv...

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Oschwald, Associate Professor of exegetical theology, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the work of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles, why we often jump to the “fireworks and sound effects”, how we sometimes read Acts the wrong way, and tips for reading Acts. Read Dr. Oschwald’s article “To You. Through You. By the Spirit.” in...

Jessica Ingraham, Founder and Executive Director of Different Dynamics, and Jessica Crawford, Director of Children and Families with Special Needs at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the impact music literacy and music therapy have on those with special needs, what Concordia offers for families with special needs, and why opportunities like inclusi...

Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of Urban and Inner City Mission and Church Planting with the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the ‘Partners in Hope’ seminar in Washington, D.C. that was co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National League of Cities. Dr. Schave shares the purpose of the seminar, what the LCMS brings to the ta...

Bethany Andrews, Director of Christian Education at Zion Lutheran Church (Harvester) in St. Charles, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to share her story of being diagnosed with Lyme Disease, the challenges she faced, and how God provided for her during this time. Learn more at globallymealliance.org and cdc.gov/lyme/index.html.