The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

We celebrate 100 years of God’s blessings on KFUO with special historic broadcasts.First, the Rev. Carl R Kretzschmar reads the 1924 dedication address of KFUO from his father the Rev. Richard Kretzschmar.The second broadcast comes from April 23, 1939, the 100th anniversary of the Saxon landing in St. Louis. The then president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Rev. Dr. John W. Behnken presents a Lutheran Hour sermon for the occasion.Find more KFUO history at kfuo.org/100.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 are new church workers supported in their vocations? The Rev. Jonathan Manor, Director of PALS with the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, joins Andy and Sarah during our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his own journey into pastoral ministry, what PALS (Post-Seminary Applied Learning & Support) is and how it supports new pastors and their families, the challenges that new pastors face, why worker wellness is important, and how PALS helps church workers encourage others to consider church work vocations. Learn more about PALS at lcms.org/pals.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.

This issue of LW focuses on the community of family. Peter reminds us that Christians have a much larger family, our “brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:9). Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 1:2: “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.” While we properly focus most of our attention on our local communities of family and congregation, our Lord has a global mission: “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Peter’s emphasis on the common suffering of Christians throughout the world is a reminder that we are part of something much greater than ourselves, as Paul also writes: “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4–6).Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the December 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “A Worldwide Community” on 1 Peter 5:8-14. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Elect Exiles” and will walk through the First Epistle of St. Peter. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us!Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.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.

We're looking ahead to the Second Sunday in Advent! The Rev. James Gier, Senior Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah to study the readings and themes for the Second Sunday in Advent. They discuss who the Messenger is in Malachi, how we prepare for the coming of One who is perfectly holy and righteous, practical ways we prepare to meet Him, and how the Means of Grace prepare us for this season of waiting and watching.Find Ascension Lutheran Church at alcsfw.360unite.com/home.Second Sunday in Advent (Series C):• Malachi 3:1-7b• Psalm 66:1-12• Philippians 1:2-11• Luke 3:1-14 (15-20)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.

It's time for the KFUO History Trivia Game Show! The Rev. John Lukomski (co-host of Wrestling with the Basics), the Rev. Matt Clark (co-host of Wrestling with the Basics and pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in St Louis, MO), the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe (host of Thy Strong Word and pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN), and the Rev. Timothy Appel (host of Sharper Iron and pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL) join us as guests for this trivia extravaganza!How well do you know KFUO? Download the PDF answer sheet here!1. Today KFUO is found at 850 on the AM dial. When KFUO first started in 1924, what was its original AM dial number? 2. In 1924, what was the cost to build and operate the original seminary attic-based station in its first year? $14k, $140k, or $1.4m? 3. When KFUO first went on the air in 1924, how many programs were broadcast each week? 4. Before KFUO became the broadcast ministry of the LCMS, what organization owned and operated KFUO? 5. What year did the LCMS officially take ownership of KFUO? 6. True or False: In 1929, during construction to enlarge the station building, KFUO staff had to broadcast out of a Concordia Seminary dormitory. 7. What other station did KFUO share its original AM550 signal with until parting ways in 1940? KSD, WKRP, or KWIL? 8. True or False: Actress Betty White was once a guest on KFUO.9. True or False: In the early 1950s, there was a proposal to expand the station building for a third time that would include a large chapel with television broadcasting capabilities. 10. True or False: In 1935, the St. Louis Star Times inquired if KFUO would consider an offer of $100k for the sale of its station. 11. True or False: Astronaut John Glenn was once a guest on KFUO.12. True or False: KFUO FM was the first licensed FM signal in St. Louis. 13. True or False: KFUO FM was the first licensed FM signal west of the Mississippi. 14. The Three Stooges were once guests on KFUO.15. In what year did KFUO make its first live link-up with another radio station to share the Bible Study with WLAB in Fort Wayne, Indiana, via a telephone connection? 16. What prestigious award was given to KFUO FM in 1999 by the National Association of Broadcasters for “Best Classical Music Station in the United States”? 17. Also in 1999, KFUO AM received two of this award from the National Religious Broadcasters for “Excellence in Religious Broadcasting”? 18. What year did KFUO Radio move from 85 Founders Lane on the Seminary campus to its current home at the International Center? 19. Can you name all ten current staff members of KFUO Radio (bonus point: Can you name the current KFUO intern?)20. The call letters, KFUO, were assigned to the station arbitrarily by the United States federal government. What slogan was later ascribed to these call letters?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.

We're celebrating our Church of the Week, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO! Kantor Matthew Gerhardt from St Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, Des Peres, MO, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany opportunities at St. Paul's, including Midweek services at 9:30am and 5:30pm, the Service of Lessons and Carols on December 7 & 8, Christmas Eve and Day services, and worship on New Year's Eve and Epiphany (Sunday). Learn more about all of these opportunities at StPaulsDesPeres.org and click on the Advent and Christmas button in the center of the home page.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 do we rejoice in the season of Advent? The Rev. Brian Hamer, US Navy Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why it's important for the church to keep Advent, how we rejoice that the Lord has set up a tent among us, rejoicing in the marriage supper of the Lamb, and rejoicing and exulting with Zephaniah. Find the lovely Advent resource from this episode at resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/midweek-advent-service-suggestions-2024.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 the Divine Service form Christians and church workers? Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and LCMS International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how the Lord guided him to become a pastor, how his love for church music and worship developed, who has most shaped his understanding and love of worship, how the Divine Service formed him as a Christian and pastor, and the importance of the Divine Service in forming church workers.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.

It's almost time for Advent and Christmas! Elizabeth Pittman (Director of Public Relations for Concordia Publishing House) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the exciting offerings from CPH for this Advent and Christmas season, including the beautiful Enduring Grace: A Church Year Journal, the Enduring Grace journal for kids, and this year's Advent and Christmas package for congregations titled "His Name Shall Be Called" which includes Daily Devotions, a Children's Book, a Christmas Program, and other resources.Find these resources at:cph.org/enduring-grace-a-church-year-journal-year-ccph.org/enduring-grace-a-church-year-journal-for-kids-year-ccph.org/adventThis episode originally aired on September 10, 2024. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

We're looking ahead to the First Sunday in Advent! The Rev. James Gier, Senior Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah to study the readings and themes for the First Sunday in Advent. They discuss how we observe and prepare in Advent, what we learn from the prophets about the coming King, what kind of King is coming, how the Advent season is full of both repentance and hope, and where we see these themes in both the days of Noah and the New Testament Church.Find Ascension Lutheran Church at alcsfw.360unite.com/home.First Sunday in Advent (Series C)• Jeremiah 33:14–16• Psalm 25:1–10• 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13• Luke 19:28–40 or Luke 21:25–36As 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.