The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How does the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music help form musicians and church workers? Kathy May, serving at Peace Lutheran Church and Academy in Sussex, WI, joins Andy and Sarah from the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to share how she serves at Peace Lutheran Church and Academy, what she has learned from attending several Institutes over the years, how these experiences have served her in the church and her personal life as a musician, and how these Institutes have helped form new church musicians.

Charles I ascended to the throne in 1625. How did he approach his rule differently? In episode 5 of our series on the Puritan movement, we dive into both the political and religious issues during the reign of Charles I, including his touchy relationship with Parliament, his alliance with anti-Calvinists and Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, the ensuing drama between the Archbishop and the Puritans, and how these relations caused twenty thousand Englishmen to settle in America. Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the Puritan Movement in England. Find more from Dr. MacKenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.Interested in going deeper? Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

Why is giving attention to wellness and mental health important for church workers in today’s cultural context? Rev. Kevin Bueltmann, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat in Wickenburg, AZ, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about how Shepherd’s Canyon serves the Church today, how church worker wellbeing impacts their ministry and mercy work, ways that church workers may experience exhaustion or burnout, and how congregations can support church workers in a culture of wellness. Learn more about Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat Ministry at shepherdscanyonretreat.org. Read more about Mercy Work in the LCMS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy and at https://lcms.org/mercystories.

The 1847 historical sanctuary, parsonage and school at St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden, IL, was destroyed by a tornado and subsequently rebuilt. How does this building serve the community of St. John’s and New Minden? The Rev. Tim Mueller, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Covington, IL (KFUO Radio’s Church of the Week), joins Andy and Sarah to share the amazing history of St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden, the many tornados that have affected this property, how St. John’s has served the community over the years, why the 1847 building was restored, and the upcoming building rededication on July 28. Learn more about St. John’s and how to attend the rededication at stjohnnewminden.360unite.com.

How does a Director of Parish Music serve in the church? Jacob Roggow, Director of Parish Music at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins Andy and Sarah for the Set Apart to Serve series from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to talk about where his interest in music and parish music began, his formation to become a Director of Parish Music at Concordia University, Nebraska, how he cares for mental health as a church worker, and what he’s learned while attending the Institute. Learn more about our Lutheran understanding of worship at https://www.lcms.org/worship 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 Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) serve at the LCMS Youth Gathering? Brandon Heath — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Co-Manager and DCE at Christ Lutheran Church in La Mesa, CA, Laura Courvoisier — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Co-Manager, Wes Gong — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Leadership Team, and Leah Baranski — LCMS Youth Gathering Planner: YAV Leadership Team join Andy and Sarah to share their stories of serving as Young Adult Volunteers at previous Gatherings, how these experiences have shaped them into their current vocations, how YAVs will serve at the 2025 LCMS Youth Gatherings, and how to apply. Learn more and apply to be a YAV at lcmsgathering.com.

What was the state of the Church of England when Charles I became king? In episode 4 of our series on the Puritan Movement, learn about the difference between Calvinists and Anti-Calvinists/Anti-Puritanists, how Arminianism played a role in the developing theology of the time, who Charles Montague was and his role in the drama with Parliament and Charles I, and the growing tension between Charles I and his Parliament. Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series on the History of the Puritan Movement in England. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.Interested in more? Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

How does Project 24 change the lives of students and families in Kenya? Britt Odemba, serving the Lord as an LCMS missionary in Kenya, joins Andy and guest co-host Rev. Kevin Robson, Chief Mission Officer for the LCMS, during our series on Mercy Stories to talk about how she became a missionary in Kenya, the ways in which she serves today, what Project 24 is and how it serves students and families, the relationship between Project 24 and Christ’s Care for Children: Kenya, who she collaborates with on the mission field to accomplish her work, what students learn at Project 24 schools, and the outlook for the future of these students and schools. Learn more about Britt Odemba and how to support her work at lcms.org/odemba. Find more information on Project 24 and Christ’s Care for Children: Kenya at lcms.org/make-a-gift/christs-care-for-children-kenya. Read more about Mercy Work in the LCMS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy.

How do musicians serve the church in music composition? Kile and Jacqueline Smith, musicians serving the church, join Andy and Sarah at the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music to talk about how music has been a part of their lives, how they met and how music was a part of their relationship, how they became a part of the LCMS, and how they serve the church as musicians and composers. Learn more about our Lutheran understanding of worship at https://www.lcms.org/worship.

How does a Lutheran teacher build relationships with students, families, and colleagues? Debbie Armbruster, retired teacher at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and School in Eureka, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about her experiences in Lutheran education as a student, how she was formed in her Lutheran faith and vocations at Lutheran schools, her journey to becoming a Lutheran educator, and how she uses her creative and varied background to build relationships with students, families, and colleagues. 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.