The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How can we show love to our neighbors through acts of mercy? Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (Managing Director, LCMS Office of National Mission), the Rev. Dr. Brian Heller (Manager of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry), and the Rev. Andy Becker (Manager of Family Discipleship) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the Mercy: Love Throughout Life conference happening March 14-15, 2025. They discuss why this conference is so timely, the variety of topics the conference will cover, who this conference is for (everyone!), and the unique in-person + online hybrid format. Learn more and register at calendar.lcms.org/event/mercy-love-throughout-life-conference-2025.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 does Concordia University Wisconsin's Hesed Transition Program serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Professor Kelly Osowski (Director, Hesed Transition Program at Concordia University Wisconsin) and Kathy Loveless (parent of Noah, current Hesed student at CUW) join Andy and Sarah to share Kathy and Noah's story, Noah's educational journey and his parents' hopes for him, what the Hesed program is and how it serves students, and how this program changes the lives of students like Noah. Learn more about the Hesed Program, including admission requirements, at cuw.edu/admissions/hesed-admissions/index.html. Read more stories about the Hesed Program at blog.cuw.edu/cuws-hesed-transition-program-introduces-new-director and reporter.lcms.org/2025/cuw-hesed-program.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.

Why and how does the Church write new hymnody? The Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Practical Theology, and Dean of Chapel at Concordia Seminary in St Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why authors are still writing new hymnody (because we can always have more), what we learn about our church forefathers from our hymnody, if hymn writing has changed over the centuries, how hymns shape who we are and what we believe, and what happens at the annual Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop. Learn more and register at csl.edu/event/prevallet-hymn-writing-workshop-2025.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 someone on the Seminary's Board of Regents do, and why is this work important? Matt Kenitzer, a member of the Board of Regents for Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his upbringing in the church, what drew him to the LCMS, why faithful leadership in the church is important to him, how he became a member of the Board of Regents, and all the critical work the Regents do for the good of the Seminary.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.

How does Grace Point Institute for Relational Health serve the church and her members? The Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann, MDiv, DMin, LMHP, LPC, CLC (Co-founder and President of Grace Point Institute for Relational Health) joins Andy to discuss why Grace Point was founded, the services it offers, where these services are needed today, how Grace Point serves locally, and how it fosters a culture of care for ministry workers. Learn more about Grace Point Institute for Relational Health at relationalhealth.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 is Team Flex, and how do they serve at the LCMS Youth Gathering? Leslie Sulivan (Team Flex Manager) and Danny Swafford (Team Flex Leadership) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their roles on Team Flex, how Team Flex serves at the LCMS Youth Gathering, responsibilities they and others have on Team Flex, and how to apply to serve in this way. The application deadline is April 30! Learn more and apply at lcmsgathering.com/volunteer/#TeamFlex.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 Concordia University, Nebraska, (CUNE) University Chamber Choir may be coming to a tour stop near you! Dr. Kurt Von Kampen (Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and Director of the Acapella Choir, Concordia University, Nebraska) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the role of music at CUNE, the variety of music opportunities at CUNE, who makes up the University Chamber Choir, and the upcoming tour to the St. Louis area. Find more information at cune.edu/arts/music/music-ensembles and on Facebook at facebook.com/CUNEACAP and facebook.com/concordiamusic2025 Chamber Choir Tour Concerts:Thursday, Feb. 20 7:00 PMTrinity Lutheran Church 803 Swifts Hwy Jefferson City, MO 65109 Friday, Feb. 21 7:00 PMImmanuel Lutheran Church 453 N. West St. Perryville, MO 63775 Saturday, Feb. 22 1:00 PMTrinity Lutheran Church 600 Water Street Edwardsville, IL. 62025 6:30 PMZion Lutheran Church 3866 Old Highway 94 South St. Charles, MO 63304 Sunday, Feb. 23 8:00 & 10:45 (Worship Services)Immanuel Lutheran Church 115 S. 6th St. St. Charles, MO. 63301 7:00 PMRedeemer Lutheran Church 920 S. Alta Ln Olathe, KS 66061Members of the University Chamber Choir:Soprano Naomi Faile, Rome Ga. Michaela Gibbs, Virginia Beach, Va. Kirsten Horne, Seward, Neb. Alto Lydia Edmonds, Gretna, Neb. Ellie Lehr, Omaha, Neb. Melissa Oblinger, Tomball, Texas Morgan Rohde, Fort Wayne, Ind. Tenor David Eatherton, St. Louis, Mo. Logan Walgate, St. Charles, Mo. Micah Zeckzer, New Haven, Ind. Bass Joshua Jurchen, Seward, Neb. Evan Moloney, Fort Wayne, Ind. Grant Rohde, Reed City, Mich. Joel Smith, Earlham, Iowa Director Dr. Kurt E. von Kampen Piano Dr. Elizabeth GrimpoAs 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 March for Life is Friday, January 24! Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, Managing Director with the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what happens at the National March for Life, why the LCMS has had a consistent presence at The March for Life, what is unique about this year, the invitation for President Harrison to be a speaker at the Rally, and how people can connect with the LCMS presence at this year's National March for life. To register and find more information, visit lcms.org/life.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 the LCMS responding to the devastating wildfires in Southern California? First, the Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his recent visit to Southern California and the impact of the fires, how the disaster has affected LCMS congregations and members, how LCMS Disaster Response is partnering with the Pacific Southwest District and congregations to help, and the long-term outlook for service in the community. Then, the Rev. Dominic Rivkin, Mission Executive with the LCMS Pacific Southwest District, joins Andy and Sarah to help us understand the LCMS Pacific Southwest District and the territory it covers, the area impacted by the devastating fires, the communities that have been affected, how congregations are coming together to support each other, and how the District will continue responding to the disaster.Find more details and ways to help at the following places:lcms.org/disasterfacebook.com/LCMSDisasterResponsepsd-lcms.org/disaster-responseplc.ccAs 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 does a family make the transition to Seminary? Ross and Jenni George, a new seminary family at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about Ross's first career and how he made the decision to pursue pastoral ministry, how the Divine Service and community at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston helped to shape him, the conversations through the discernment process, how his previous experience has prepared him for Seminary, and their move across the country to Fort Wayne from Texas.Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.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.