The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the October 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Pressing on Toward the Goal" on Philippians 3:12-16. This year, "Searching Scripture" will study the book of Philippians, so stay tuned each month for a new Bible study. 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 3:12-16Straining Toward the Goal12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.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. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about effective communication, including models of communication pastors use and what might be most effective, how communication in a ministry setting can differ from communication in other situations, what information is worth communicating, the role of listening in communication, and what makes an effective communicator.Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Apologetics 101 Workshop at Zion Lutheran, including what "apologetics" actually means, why apologetics is important to him, how we can use apologetics in our conversations, and the lineup of speakers. Learn more at sidlcms.org/2023/08/13/apologetics-101-apologetics-workshop.

Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan — President of the LCMS Missouri District, and Josh Swartz — Director of Schools for the LCMS Missouri District, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how how Concordia Universities and Seminaries are unique, how attending these institutions was important for both of them, what College Fair participants will experience, and how to attend. Learn more at mo.lcms.org/college-fair.

Josh Douglas, Gift Planning Advocate with LCMS Mission Advancement, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why he joined LCMS Mission Advancement, what a Gift Planning Advocate does, how he builds relationships with people across Synod as he helps them plan their giving, why joyful giving matters, and how to start the process of a long-term gift for the LCMS. Learn more at giftplanning.lcms.org.

Jennifer Glicker, Principal of Hephatha Lutheran School in Anaheim Hills, CA, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about what led her to Hephatha Lutheran School, her work in public schools before coming to Lutheran schools, the colloquy process she went through to become a commissioned rostered worker in the LCMS, why it was important for her to become a commissioned rostered worker, the work she does now as a Lutheran school principal, and her advice to other educators who are considering a second career as a LCMS educator. Find Hephatha Lutheran School at school.hephatha.net.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. David Gruenwald, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, and Libby Gutberlet, CEO of the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), join Andy and Sarah to talk about why Lutheran Schools are important for kids and families, how Lutheran education has made a different for both of their families, how LESA supports Lutheran schools and families in the St. Louis area, and the upcoming Brew in the Lou fundraising event for LESA. Learn more about LESA at lesastl.org and find more information and tickets for Brew in the Lou at brewinthelou.com.

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about responsibilities in the office of Pastoral Leader, including how the success of others is important to the role of the leader, why words must match actions of the leader, how manual labor can be a valuable experience for leaders, and how to use relationships to read underneath someone's criticisms.Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Rev. Stephen Starke — published hymnwriter and retired Pastor of St. John Amelith Lutheran Church in Bay City, MI, Bary Bobb — published composer of choral and organ music and Director of the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago, and Dr. Steven Wente — Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Lectures in Church Music happening at Concordia University Chicago October 15-17, 2023. They discuss the history of this event and how it has served church musicians over the years, Pastor Starke's plenary session on congregational singing, how congregational singing binds us together as a congregation, Barry Bobb's workshop on American Lutheran Hymnals Since 1993, and why it's important to study a variety of hymnals in American Lutheranism. Learn more, see the full schedule and workshop lineup and register at cuchicago.edu/events/2023/10/lectures-in-church-music.

Daniel Jenkins, President of Lutheran Braille Workers, and Nate Paredes, CFO of Lutheran Braille Workers, join Andy to talk about how many people are blind or visually impaired worldwide and in the US, what resources like Bibles are available to the blind and visually impaired, some roadblocks to resources like these being widely available, how LBW is meeting the needs of these people, and stories of lives who have been impacted by Lutheran Braille Workers. Learn more about Lutheran Braille Workers at lbwloveworks.org.