The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

The LCMS Florida-Georgia District weathered significant damage from both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. How has the District responded? The Rev. James Rockey, LCMS Florida-Georgia District President, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the areas that the Florida-Georgia District covers, the impact of the hurricanes on the communities and congregations in this area, how the congregations have been able to respond to the needs of their communities, how the Lutheran Early Response Teams have been bringing the hope and mercy of Christ to their neighbors, and how listeners can help in the disaster response. Learn more about the District-wide and Synod-wide response, including how you can help, at flgadistrict.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 are some of the challenges facing Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, and what is their vision for the future? Dr. Eric Ankerberg (President, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor), Dr. Steven Taylor (Vice President of Innovation and Chief of Staff, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor), and Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Moldenhauer (Vice President of Mission and Church Relations, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the mission of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA), how Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) became a part of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), how the campuses are uniquely living out the university's mission, the financial challenges facing the CUAA campus, the vision for the future of CUW and CUAA, how university leadership is committed to a strong future at CUAA, and what they would like current and prospective students to know about CUAA. Learn more and reach out with questions at cuaa.edu/future.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 it like to serve on a short-term team for English Bible Camp in Taiwan? Mindy Thews (LCMS Lutheran Education Coordinator, Taiwan) and Myles Williams (Short-Term Mission Volunteer, English Bible Camp) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why Myles was interested in this opportunity and how he prepared, how Mindy and the Taiwan team created this English Bible Camp in Taiwan, and how Myles worked with Mindy and the team for an outstanding week with the kids who attended the camp.If you are interested in serving on this team in 2025, view the opportunity at servenow.lcms.org/opp/2025-english-bible-camp-taiwan.View all opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org.

How can sacred music help us grieve the children we have lost? The Rev. Brian Hamer (US Navy Chaplain) who writes a monthly column "Lifted Voice" for Around the Word: Theology for the Curious Christian, at whatdoesthismean.org, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why we depart from the rhythm of the church year this month in his column on sacred music; who René Clausen is and what his piece 'In Pace' brings to light; Clausen's inspiration for this piece; the origin of the text; where else we see the connection between sleep and death in our Lutheran liturgy; and how this piece brings comfort to those who are grieving children. Read Chaplain Hamer's column at whatdoesthismean.org/lifted-voice--brian-hamer/sacred-music-for-child-loss-month-in-pace-by-rene-clausen.Listen to ‘In Pace’ by René Clausen at youtube.com/watch?v=yIgudJRJfCQ.

How have three of the Clausing siblings made the journey into church work? Ellie Clausing (Concordia University, Nebraska, graduate and teacher at Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School in York, Nebraska), Eunice Clausing (Freshman at CUNE in Elementary Education), and Ernie Clausing (Junior at CUNE in Elementary Education), join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what it was like growing up on the mission field, when they began thinking about church work as Lutheran teachers, how CUNE has and will prepare them to be Lutheran educators, Ellie's joy and challenges of being a first-year Lutheran teacher, and Ernie and Eunice's hopes for life after graduation. Read more about their story at cune.edu/news/concordia-nebraska-home-away-home-clausing-siblings-whose-parents-serve-missionaries-tanzania.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 do KFUO Radio Interns help us share the Gospel AND learn valuable skills for future vocations? John Fiene (current KFUO Radio Intern), Aubrey Blank (current Digital Media Associate and former KFUO intern), and Jordan Harms (Media Operations Manager for KFUO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why John applied to be an intern with KFUO, what he's learning this semester and how he expects to use these skills, where Aubrey's interest in becoming a KFUO intern began and how her internship prepared her for a full-time position with KFUO, and how Jordan uses these internship experiences to build up future radio talent. Learn about KFUO internship opportunities at lcms.org/careers.

What is it like to serve on a short-term mission trip to Belize? The Rev. Micah Wildauer (LCMS missionary serving the Lord in Belize), Beverly Wildauer (Grand Island, NE; led a teacher training in Belize), and the Rev. Weston Wildauer (pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, MO; led an English Family Bible Camp in Belize), join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Beverly and Pastor Weston learned about the opportunities to serve on short-term mission teams, how they prepared for their service, who they met and served alongside, how Pastor Micah serves in Belize, the people and communities of Belize, and how short-term mission volunteers serve with him and others in Belize. Learn about upcoming ways to serve on short-term teams in Belize and around the globe at servenow.lcms.org.

Are you getting prepared for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering? We have important information for you! The Rev. Mark Kiessling (Director of LCMS Youth Ministry), Julianna Shults, (DCE and Program Manager for LCMS Youth Ministry), Meredith Smith (Communications Specialist for LCMS Youth Ministry), Charessa Koontz (Youth Gathering Planner and DCE at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, TX), and Rev. Lawton Thompson (Assistant Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO), join Andy and Sarah to talk about why we gather the youth of the LCMS, an overview of the theme of ENDURE, how bringing a group of youth benefits the local congregation, how district coordinators help congregations plan to go to Gathering, and the immediate next steps to prepare for travel. Learn more at lcmsgathering.com.

What does Hispanic Ministry look like in Southwest Detroit? The Rev. Ricardo Granado, Michigan District Missionary for Hispanic Ministries, joins Andy, Sarah, and translator the Rev. Stephen Heimer (Manager of All Nations Ministry with the LCMS Office of National Mission) during our Hispanic Heritage Month series to talk about his Lutheran heritage and growing up in Venezuela, his journey to become a Lutheran pastor and how he served the Church in Venezuela, his family's journey to the United States and how he has served the church here, and the amazing ministry happening in Detroit. Learn more about Pan de Vida on their Facebook page: facebook.com/pandevida1820. Read more from Rev. Granado at michigandistrict.org/commission/granado-leads-michigan-district-hispanic-ministry.Learn more about LCMS Hispanic Ministry at lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/hispanic-ministry.

The Rev. Idonis King, a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary and now Associate Pastor and “Missionary to the City” of Saint Trinity Lutheran Church and Saint John (Morganford) Lutheran Church in St Louis, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to share his story of becoming Lutheran and entering the seminary, his favorite experiences from pastoral formation, the experience of receiving his first Call, his great joy for serving the Lord as a pastor, and what he is most looking forward to as he serves in this Call.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.