The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How does a visual arts teacher serve in a Lutheran high school? Anna Bloomfield, visual arts teacher at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about who influenced her to consider and become a Lutheran school teacher, her journey to becoming a Lutheran school teacher, the types of things a visual arts teacher gets to share with students, how she builds relationships with her high school students, what gives her joy about being a Lutheran school teacher, and how she and her school helps to form and recruit future church workers. Learn more about Crean Lutheran High School at creanlutheran.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.

Steven Wolters, KFUO Radio listener and donor, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about when he first began listening to KFUO Radio, how it became a regular practice for him and his son, how our programs him help him in his daily vocations, and how listening to KFUO Radio has made a difference for his family. If you'd like to become a supporter like Steven, visit kfuo.org/give.This program originally aired December 12, 2023.

What were the Puritan critiques of the Church of England? In episode 2 in our series on the Puritan Movement, learn what the Puritan movement stood for, how they sought to improve the preaching in the Church of England, and the many issues they had with the Church of England’s theology. These things include their idea of experiential piety, the sanctified life, Sabbatarianism, and the different facets of covenant theology. 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.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the LCMS and International Center Chaplain, joins Sarah to talk about how the Athanasian Creed became part of our Confessions, who St. Athanasius was and his relationship to this creed, how it's similar and different to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, some of the language that might make us uncomfortable and also the beautiful language to pay attention to. Find this Creed on pages 319-320 in the Lutheran Service Book or download it from this link on lcms.org.This is a rebroadcast from June 8, 2022.

How do new pastors and their families find mutual encouragement and support? PALS Facilitator Rev. Steve Wagner from Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, and PALS Facilitators Rev. David & Kassie Weaver from Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson, IL, join Andy to talk about Post Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS), how PALS serves new pastors and families, their own experiences in ministry and how those experiences help them as PALS facilitators, and how aspects of ministry affect marriage and family life in a different way than other careers. Learn more about PALS at lcms.org/how-we-serve/education/pastoral/post-seminary-applied-learning-and-support.

What is the joy in teaching at a Lutheran High School? Rev. Joe Cox, head of Academics at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about his journey to the seminary and into the teaching vocation, what gives him joy as a Lutheran high school teacher, the relationships he builds with students as a part of their formation as young adults, how he and other school leadership work with parents in the formation journey, and his favorite lessons to teach students. 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.

Today, June 27, the Christian church commemorates Cyril of Alexandria. Who was this significant historical figure? Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Director of Field Education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, joins Andy to discuss!

What are the origins of America’s biggest Protestant denominations? To answer this question, we must revisit 16th Century England. Today we begin a new history series with Dr. Cameron MacKenzie on the Puritan movement. In this episode, hear about Queen Elizabeth, the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity, the Book of Common Prayer, how the Puritan movement began in the Church of England, and what the Puritans were trying to keep “pure.” 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.

We’re celebrating DCEs in preparation for National DCE Day on June 26! Melissa Luepke — Director of Faith Formation at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, Becca Klemm — Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, IN, and Nick Moss — DCE at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakeland, FL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they first learned about directors of Christian education, some key elements of formation and training to become a DCE, the general and specialized areas of service as DCEs, how they collaborate with church leaders and parents, and the DCEs who have influenced their ministry service.

How do new missionaries prepare to serve on the mission field? Stan and Dana Stigdon — serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with the LCMS Office of International Mission, and Ariana Gomez — Manager of Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how the Stigdons are preparing to serve in the Dominican Republic, how their previous vocations prepared them to serve in these roles, the orientation and preparation to serve in these roles, and the other opportunities available to serve internationally. Learn more about the Stigdons and how to support their work at lcms.org/stigdon. Discover how you can serve internationally at servenow.lcms.org.