

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

Jan 22, 2024 • 28min
Mental Health Monday: Risk Factors and Increasing Prevalence of Mental Illness
What are some risk factors for mental illness, and how are mental illnesses different in adolescents and young adults? 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 risk factors for mental illness, how mental illness present differently in young people, and how mental health problems have increased over the last 13 years.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 19, 2024 • 25min
Set Apart To Serve: Teaching Children the Faith
Why is it important for parents to teach their children the faith, immerse them in God's Word in the home, and bring them faithfully to church? Allison and Michael Zeller, Members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fenton MO, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how they were formed in the faith and why it is important to teach their children the faith, what they do at home to teach the faith, how they see their roles in teaching their children the faith, and why it's important for them to bring their children to the Divine Service and Sunday school.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 18, 2024 • 30min
We're Hiring: Digital Media Associate!
Do you love creating and posting social media, keeping websites up to date, and diving into digital content? We're hiring a Digital Media Associate! Derek Olsen, Human Resources Specialist with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the role of social media in what we do at KFUO Radio, what the new Digital Media Associate will do at KFUO Radio as part of Sarah's team, and the benefits of working at the LCMS International Center. Find the job posting and apply at kfuo.org/careers.

Jan 17, 2024 • 27min
History of the LCMS #2: Martin Stephan, C.F.W. Walther, and Increasing Drama
How were Rationalism and Unionism affecting the Lutheran church in Germany, and who was reacting in Saxony? We meet Martin Stephan and C.F.W. Walther, two significant characters in the story as Lutherans settle in Perry County, MO. How did Stephan become the leader, and what drama did he begin to have within the group?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 16, 2024 • 26min
The Sharps in Uruguay
What's it like to plant churches and serve people on the mission field in Uruguay? Rev. James, Angela, and Maggie Sharp, serving the Lord in Uruguay, join Sarah to talk about how the Lutheran congregations have grown across Uruguay over their time on the field, what it's like to be back in America for home service, and the short term mission opportunities in Uruguay. Learn more about the Sharp family and how to support their work at lcms.org/sharp,sharpmission.org, and facebook.com/sharpmission.

Jan 15, 2024 • 28min
Mental Health Monday: Martin Luther on Mental Health
What does Martin Luther say about Mental Health, and how does it apply today? 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 he serves as a mental health professional, why it was important to him to write about Martin Luther on Mental Health, and the difference between mental illness and a mental health struggle.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 12, 2024 • 24min
Set Apart To Serve: Liturgy and Hymnody for Youth
How do cantors use church music to teach children the faith and form future church workers? Jonathan Rudy, Cantor at Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the influence of Grace Lutheran’s music program on forming and recruiting church workers in the LCMS, how Lutheran liturgy and hymnody contribute to children loving being in the church, and his role in the Mid-South District Set Apart to Serve church work recruitment committee and collaboration with SAS.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 11, 2024 • 27min
Yes, You Can Work at Summer Camp!
Summer camp provides unique opportunities for campers and staff alike! Keith Peters — Director of Summer and Youth Ministry at Camp Lutherhaven in Albion, Indiana, and Derrick "Rocky" Minnick — Ministry Impact Worker at Camp Lutherhaven, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their memories of time at camp, how camp experiences impact kids and teens, the outlook for staff this summer at NLOMA Camps, and how to apply to work at camp this summer. Learn more and apply at nloma.org.

Jan 10, 2024 • 26min
History of the LCMS #1: The Prussian Union, Rationalism, Unionism, and Immigration
We embark on the epic story that is the creation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri. In this episode, we begin in mid-1800s Saxony and Prussia, focusing on the Prussian Union. What prompted the immigration from Saxony to the United States in the mid-1800s? What are rationalism and unionism, and how did these deeply affect Lutherans in the German states?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 9, 2024 • 26min
Serving Military Families through Operation Barnabas
How can Lutheran congregations support military service members and veterans through Operation Barnabas? Jill Tendler — Operation Barnabas volunteer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eureka, MO, and Lee Hinton — Administrative Coordinator for LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Jill's military family story, why Operation Barnabas is important to her, and how small actions make a huge difference for veterans and military families. Learn more at 314-996-1337 andlcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces/operation-barnabas.Photo: Jill's Father's New Testament (mentioned in the episode) that saved his life.


