The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What does Sabbath teach us about who we are—and what we're made for?The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode, covering the introduction and chapter 1, they discuss why Dr. Biermann chose to write this book, why it matters that we understand what “Sabbath” means, the relationship between person and purpose (telos), Luther’s context for writing the explanation to the Third Commandment, the fundamental principle for understanding both the commandment and the Sabbath, and how the Sabbath was built into the very rhythm of creation.Find Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play at cph.org/day-7-for-work-rest-or-play.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What is a prelude, and why does it happen (or not happen) before a church service? Dr. Mark Bender (retired Minister of Music from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO), Phillip Magness (Cantor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO) and Cheryl Magness (Managing Editor of Reporter with LCMS Communications and International Center chapel musician) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what a prelude is and why we have it, how a person in the pew can make good use of the prelude, the thought and preparation that goes into picking and playing the prelude, whether there are times when it is more suitable to not have a prelude, and helpful ways to appreciate this musical offering.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

How did the fracturing of Christianity in Old England affect how churches were founded in New England? 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, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 7, we learn about changes occuring in Old England affecting New England's religious landscape, the fracturing of Christianity in Old England, the secret Roman Catholic King of England and resulting secret partnership with France, Increase and Cotton Mather in New England, and the Church in Massachusetts.Resources in this episode:All episodes in The Puritan Movement seriesFind more from Dr. MacKenzie hereRecommended 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.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What is it like to serve as a Lutheran school principal? Sarah Popp (Principal of Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School in Spencer, IA) and Cory Emily (Principal of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School in Des Moines, IA) join Sarah to talk about how they serve as principals in their respective schools, who encouraged them to become educators, why they love their work and especially serving in a Lutheran school, what keeps them going even through challenging times, and how a Lutheran environment provides a unique space for them as administrators.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.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What is unique about Concordia University Wisconsin's approach to engineering education? Subha Kumpaty, D.Min., Ph.D. (Engineering Program Chair for Concordia University Wisconsin) and Lucas Kearny (Concordia University Wisconsin Industrial Engineering Student) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the increase of interest in careers in engineering, how CUW is meeting the need for engineering education, the newest program in Mechanical Engineering, how students gain hands-on practical experience and real-world preparation in this program, and what Lucas has experienced so far in his program. Learn more about CUW Engineering programs, specifically the new Mechanical Engineering degree, at cuw.edu/academics/programs/mechanical-engineering-bachelors/index.html.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

How are international students brought into community with Lutherans around the world? Sue Hasselbring (Ministry Catalyst for International Student Ministry, Inc.) and Ken Bickel (Board President for International Student Ministry, Inc.) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why International Student Ministry exists and how they serve students, how each of them got involved, what occurs through each ISM site, and information about two upcoming events: In Depth Bible seminar and Equipping Conference. Learn more about International Student Ministry, Inc., and how to get involved at isminc.org or by contacting sue@isminc.org.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Sacred Music Educator in Asia for the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Easter hymns! Learn about Lutheran Service Book 458 "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands," Lutheran Service Book 476 "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow," and Lutheran Service Book 466 "Christ is Arisen, Alleluia." Read Deaconess Rhein's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rhein.This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021.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. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What happens when the church in New England grows and the Halfway Covenant is established? 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, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 6, we learn about Roger Williams and Rhode Island, declension of the church, issues that start to arise in New England, and how the Halfway Covenant was established.Resources in this episode:All episodes in The Puritan Movement seriesFind more from Dr. MacKenzie hereRecommended 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.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the services of the Triduum during Holy Week, the origins of these services, what makes Tenebrae a unique service among the others, and the beautiful Responsories used in the Medieval church during these Tenebrae services.Listen to the Responsories by Carlo Gesualdo on YouTube.This episode originally aired on April 5, 2023. 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. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What is theological education like at the new Lutheran seminary in Tanzania? Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne, serving the Lord in Tanzania, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journey to serving as missionaries in Tanzania, the community where they live, how both of them are involved in theological education at the new Lutheran seminary there, how their service in the Peace Corps prepared them for service on the mission field, and family life in Tanzania. Learn more about the Paynes and how to support their work at lcms.org/payne and facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094281640024. Reach out to Rev. Payne at bryan.payne@lcms.org.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. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.