The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How does understanding archaeology help us to understand Biblical history? The Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden (Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, Dean of Theological Research and Publication, Director of Resident Field Education, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about an upcoming lecture in Biblical Archaeology at Concordia Seminary titled "Judah in the Time of David." They discuss the time frame being considered in the lecture, what was unique about the context of David's reign, how an archeological understanding of Judah is helpful in understanding Biblical history, and who the expert lecturer will be for this event. You can learn more and register by visiting csl.edu/event/these-stones-will-shout-annual-lecture-in-biblical-archaeology.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: listener@kfuo.org.

Rev. Dr. John Sias gives today's sermon based on John 3:1-15 (16-17).>> The broadcast of chapel services is brought to you by LCMS International Mission and Ministry to Armed Forces.>> Learn more at international.lcms.org and lcms.org/armedforces.>> To learn more about long and short-term opportunities to serve, visit servenow.lcms.org.Tune in weekdays at 10:00 a.m. CT to hear daily chapel services from the LCMS International Center. Find service information including the lectionary, hymn, and homilist for the day at kfuo.org/daily-chapel-schedule.

The 69th Regular Convention of the LCMS is next summer! Rev. Dr. John Sias, Secretary of the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where we are in the convention cycle, including the details for nominations across various synodical positions, the offices nominations are being sought for, how nominations are submitted, and encouragement for nominations. Visit lcms.org/nominate for nominations and documents, and lcms.org/convention/governance for convention overtures.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: listener@kfuo.org.

How is church worker formation cemented as culture in the church? The Rev. Dr. Mike Von Behren (President of the LCMS Northwest District and Regent at Concordia University Irvine) and the Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon (President of the LCMS Southeastern District and Assistant Pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, VA) join Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their journeys to becoming pastors and then District Presidents, their chief duties as a District President, what each of their districts are doing to form and recruit church workers and why this work is so important to each of them, and what they think will cement church worker formation and recruitment into the culture of our LCMS congregations, schools, districts, and entities.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.

How does a church family care for a community in the name of Jesus after a disaster? The Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling (Lead Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St Louis, MO) and the Rev. Chris Knepper (Pastor of Community Engagement, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the recent tornado that impacted the St. Louis community, how community members and the area around Bethlehem Lutheran were affected, how Bethlehem Lutheran has been able to meet the needs of the community, what new things have come out of the disaster response, and how they've ben able to bring the comfort of Christ to those who are hurting. Learn more about how you can help at bethlehemstlouis.org.

What does it truly mean to live a receptive life? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this final episode on chapter 7, they discuss what re-enchantment in God’s Word looks like, how we can appreciate the metaphysical realities of this world, what truth, goodness, and beauty have to do with living a receptive life, and what it means to live in the fullness of God’s Sabbath.Find Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play at cph.org/day-7-for-work-rest-or-play.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: listener@kfuo.org.

The 2025 LWML National Convention is coming up June 26-29 in Omaha, NE, under the theme “Growing in God’s Grace” (2 Peter 3:18). President of the LWML Eden Keefe joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what the 2025 LWML Convention will look like this summer, the story behind the theme “Growing in God’s Grace,” what this theme means for her and all Lutheran women, how planning happens for the National conventions every other year, the objectives for the convention, and what we can expect this summer in Omaha. Learn more at lwml.org/convention.

The 2025 LWML National Convention is coming up June 26-29 in Omaha, NE, under the theme “Growing in God’s Grace” (2 Peter 3:18). President of the LWML Eden Keefe joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what the 2025 LWML Convention will look like this summer, the story behind the theme “Growing in God’s Grace,” what this theme means for her and all Lutheran women, how planning happens for the National conventions every other year, the objectives for the convention, and what we can expect this summer in Omaha. Learn more at lwml.org/convention.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: listener@kfuo.org.

What is a FORO? The Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier (Managing Director, Global Mission Operations, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the structure of the LCMS approach to international mission, how missionaries and support staff are organized, how these missionaries and support staff are supported from outside the International Center, what a FORO is and how it supports mission work efforts, why church planting is such an important strategic priority, and how you can support the work of a FORO. Learn more at lcms.org/international and international.lcms.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: listener@kfuo.org.

What does it take to establish a strong foundation for church work formation and recruitment in the culture of our congregations, schools, and the larger church body? The Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford (President of the LCMS Minnesota South District, Regent at Concordia University St. Paul, and Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Farmington, MN) and the Rev. David Nehrenz (President of the LCMS Oklahoma District and Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman, OK) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their paths to becoming a pastor and district president, how each of their districts is forming and recruiting church workers, why a mindset for formation and recruitment is important, why collaboration on growing a culture of church work formation across the LCMS is important, why it's particularly crucial to have the support and collaboration of schools in this culture, and the benefits each has seen so far from these collaborative efforts in Set Apart to Serve in their districts and across Synod.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: listener@kfuo.org.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