

The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio
KFUO Radio
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.
The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.
The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 7, 2024 • 29min
History of the LCMS: Settling in the Midwest, and Those Who Remained Behind
What role did Frederick Wyneken and August Craemer play in Lutherans settling in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan? Hear about these settlements, how Wyneken and Wilhelm Loehe partnered to send more German missionaries to America, and what happened with the Lutherans who remained in the German states. Find the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge podcast episode about Dorothea Craemer at kfuo.org/2021/04/09/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-080-story-time-with-sarah-dorothea-craemer-goes-to-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 LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

Feb 6, 2024 • 25min
"A Holy Community" LW Searching Scripture, February 2024: 1 Peter 1:13–21
The February issue of the Lutheran Witness explores a broken community. Peter summons Christians to gather as a holy community — consecrated by and set apart for the One who alone is holy, God the Holy Trinity. Whenever Christians fall short of this calling, they inevitably revert to “the passions of [their] former ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14) and “the futile ways inherited from [their] forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18), whether the Gentile proclivity for idolatry and licentiousness or the Jewish inclination toward self-righteousness. Peter wisely guides us away from both antinomianism and legalism by upholding both Law and Gospel as God’s unchanging Word for humanity. He proclaims our redemption from sin by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19) while urging sober-mindedness and reverent conduct (1 Peter 1:13, 17). In fact, believers can receive Peter’s quotation of Leviticus 11:44, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 PETER 1:16), as both a command and promise: He will make us holy by His Word, so we must always “be holy in all [our] conduct” (1 Peter 1:15).Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the February 2024 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "A Holy Community" on 1 Peter 1:13–21. 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.1 Peter 1:13–21Called to Be Holy13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.Read full chapterFootnotes1 Peter 1:13 Greek girding up the loins of your mindEnglish Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Feb 5, 2024 • 30min
Mental Health Monday: Stigma and Shame with Mental Health Problems
What do we do with the stigma and shame around mental health problems? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about what has led to stigma and shame around mental health problems, why we struggle with shame, and how we can understand mental illness and mental health problems.If you or someone you know struggles with self-harm, call or text the suicide prevention hotline at 988. Help is available, and you are not alone.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

Feb 2, 2024 • 25min
Set Apart To Serve: Paths to Ministry and Higher Things Resources
How do men from various backgrounds become LCMS pastors? Rev. Harrison Goodman, Content Executive for Higher Things, and Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, Vice President of Higher Things, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their paths to the pastoral ministry, how pastors serve in many and various ways in the church, who encouraged them to become pastors, and how Higher Things encourages youth to consider church work through their conferences and large amount of other resources. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.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.

Feb 1, 2024 • 24min
Texas Lutheran Writers Roundup
What's it like to be a writer, and what can we learn from Lutheran writers? Presenters from this year's Texas Lutheran Writers Roundup join Andy and Sarah to talk about their presentations and what people will learn at this year's event. Learn more about the Texas Lutheran Writers Roundup, including how you can attend if you're in Central Texas, at facebook.com/events/1121263108907395.Today's guest lineup:Sarah Baughman is the author of A Flame in the Dark (available from CPH). Find Sarah at sarahbaughman.org.Christina Hergenrader is the author of Inspired by the Holy Spirit: Four Habits for Faithful Living (available from CPH). Find Christina at christinahergenrader.com.Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier is the author of Reading Isaiah with Luther (available from CPH). Find this book on CPH FaithCourses at youtube.com/watch?v=QAOPUOsLVKU.Rev. Dr. Christopher Kennedy is the author of Jesus Said What? (available from CPH).Ruth Meyer is the author of N for Nativity (available from CPH). Find Ruth at Ruthmeyerbooks.com.Donna Snow is the author of Meant for Good: a Study of Joseph (available from CPH). Find Donna at artesianministries.org.

Jan 31, 2024 • 27min
History of the LCMS #4: Settling in Perry County, MO
Out of any place the Saxons could have settled in America, why did they choose Missouri? Hear about their journey, C.F.W. Walther's role in settling Lutherans in both St. Louis and Perry County, and the fallout from Martin Stephan's dramatic story with the Saxon immigrants. Find the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge episode on C.F.W Walther's wife Emilie at kfuo.org/2020/09/11/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-050-story-time-with-sarah-walthers-wife-emilie.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 LCMS. Find more from Dr. Mackenzie at video.ctsfw.edu.

Jan 30, 2024 • 27min
Family Shield Ministries Serving Families Today
Kay Meyer, Founder and Director of Family Shield Ministries, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how Family Shield Ministries began, how they have served families throughout the history of the organization, and the work of Family Shield Ministries today. Learn more about Family Shield Ministries at familyshieldministries.com.

Jan 29, 2024 • 29min
Mental Health Monday: Emotion, Behavior, and Social Media
How are thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to mental health, and how are these affected by social media? Stephen M. Saunders, PhD, Schneider Endowed Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, and author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and guest co-host Deaconess Tiffany Manor to talk about how mental health is related to emotions and behaviors, how social media affects our mental health, unique things about social media that may contribute to mental health problems in adolescents and young adults, and some practical advice for parents and others who care for youth and young adults.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9:00 a.m. CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.Disclaimer: Dr. Saunders is a professional clinical psychologist and is very pleased to offer ideas and suggestions about mental health and mental health problems on these shows. However, one of the most important pieces of advice Dr. Saunders frequently gives is to get professional help when you need it. Nothing said on these shows should be taken as therapy or treatment or as a substitute for personal consultation with a professional.

Jan 26, 2024 • 25min
Set Apart To Serve: Love of Languages in Pastoral Vocation
How does a love of languages serve future church workers? Rev. Joshua Hayes, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, KS, editor of Johann Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces (available from CPH), and a contributing translator to the American Edition of Luther’s Works, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his story of considering and becoming a pastor, the challenges and joys in his journey, his love of languages, what a day in the life of a pastor looks like, and how he and his congregation encourages and forms youth and adults in the Christian faith and to consider a church work vocation.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.

Jan 25, 2024 • 26min
2024 March(es) for Life
What happens at the National March for Life and how has it changed since the Dobbs decision in 2022? Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, LCMS Director of Life Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the 2024 National March for Life, the long list of events surrounding the March, how state Marches have become more significant in the last few years, and LCMS resources that are available for congregations and groups interested in supporting life in their states and communities. Learn more about LCMS Life Ministry and the state Marches at lcmslife.org and find information on the Million Dollar Life Match grants at lcms.org/serve/grants/life-grant.