The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Dr. Jeff Held, Assistant Dean of Music and Artistic Director of the Concordia PBS Broadcast at Concordia University Irvine (CUI), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the annual Christmas festivities with the arts at CUI, the preparations for the annual PBS Christmas Concert broadcast, the music that listeners will experience, and how this broadcast fits into the arts programs at CUI. Find details and local PBS broadcast details at cui.edu/Christmas.

Jennifer Nitchman, flutist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Christmas celebrations happening with the St. Louis Symphony, including the Gospel Christmas Concert, Mercy Holiday Celebration, two film scores (with films!), and the New Year's Eve Celebration. Find details for all of these events at slso.org or call the Box Office at (314) 534-1700.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on the Sundays in Advent to talk about the Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday in Advent. Why does Jesus keep talking about fig trees? What will the Second Coming be like? How does this story connect to Old Testament Prophecies?Luke 21:25-36The Coming of the Son of Man25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”The Lesson of the Fig Tree29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.Watch Yourselves34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”Read full chapterEnglish 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

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the December 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Grace Be With You" on Philippians 4:8-23. This is the final "Searching Scripture" feature for 2023 on the book of Philippians. Stay tuned for a new study in 2024 to follow along 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.Philippians 4:8-238 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[a] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.God's Provision10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.14 Yet it was kind of you to share[b] my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.[c] 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.Final Greetings21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Read full chapterFootnotesPhilippians 4:9 Or these things—9which things you have also learnedPhilippians 4:14 Or have fellowship inPhilippians 4:17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your accountEnglish 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

Kantor Matthew Gerhardt at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School in Des Peres, MO, our KFUO Radio Church of the Week, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the place of music in congregational life at St. Paul’s Des Peres, how the service of Lessons and Carols has become a tradition at St. Paul’s, what happens in Lessons and Carols, and what we can look forward to in this year’s Lessons and Carols on December 9 and 10. Find more details at stpaulsdesperes.org/news/seasonal-services.Saturday, December 9, 5:00pm | Sunday, December 10, 4:00pm St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 12345 Manchester Road, Des Peres, MO (Corner of Manchester and Ballas Roads, Across from West County Shopping Center)stpaulsdesperes.org/musicMusic included in this episode:Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987) - “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” - Listen on YouTubeJohn Gardner (1917-2011) - “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” - Listen on YouTubeGeorge Frederick Handel (1685-1759) - “And the Glory” - Messiah - Listen on YouTube Carl Schalk (1929-2021) - “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” - Listen on YouTube Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) - Fantasia on Christmas Carols - Listen on YouTube

The Rev. Dr. Cory J. Rajek — Regional Director for Eurasia Region in Riga, Latvia, and the Rev. Charles Ferry — Regional Director for Asia Region, Chiayi, Taiwan, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their very different journeys into pastoral ministry, how they each considered serving as a missionary, their journeys to the mission field, how missionaries serve in their respective regions, the challenges missionaries face today, and first steps for someone considering serving on the mission field.Read Dr. Rajek's story and how to support his work at lcms.org/rajek. Read Rev. Ferry's story about how to support his work at lcms.org/ferry.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.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, Executive Director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about challenges faced by church and organization partners around the world to distribute God's Word, how digital media is creating new opportunities to spread God's Word around the globe, and resources in Haiti, Sudan/South Sudan, Mayan language in Mexico, Finland, Africa, and Chinese books in Sibera. Learn more about all of these projects and more at lhfmissions.org.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on the Sundays in Advent to talk about the Gospel Reading for the First Sunday in Advent. What does Advent even mean? Why are we reading about Palm Sunday in Advent? What does it mean that Jesus arrives on a donkey?Matthew 21:1-9The Triumphal Entry21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt,[a] the foal of a beast of burden.’”6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”Read full chapterFootnotesMatthew 21:5 Or donkey, and on a coltEnglish 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

Sharon Delmore from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MO, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about this year's Return to the Manger event on December 2 & 3, including some highlights from last year's event, how the story of the nativity is expressed in this event, and how visual and immersive artistic programs are an important part of the outreach of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Learn more and reserve your seats at lordoflifelcms.org/dec-2-3-2023-return-to-the-manger.

Trish Erzfeld, tourism director with Perry County Heritage Tourism, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what's unique about the history of Perry County and surrounding communities, a brief history of the Christmas Country Church Tour, some of the sights and sounds and tastes people will experience on the Christmas Country Church Tour, and some of the most interesting places on the tour. Find details and download your tour map at visitperrycounty.com/christmas-country-church-tour.