The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Karen Lanter, Executive Director of St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how St. Louis HELP has made a difference for individuals and families, how St. Louis HELP began and how it continues to meet the needs of the community, the upcoming Equipment Drive on Saturday October 21, and what to donate to this equipment drive. Learn more and find locations for the equipment drive at stlhelp.org.

Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, joins Andy to talk about flooding in southern Brazil, including the LCMS's relationship to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IELB), his visit to southern Brazil, the damaged caused by flooding and how it impacted the homes and communities of Lutherans, how the IELB is working to serve communities affected by floods, and how LCMS Disaster is supporting the IELB. Learn more about LCMS Disaster Response at lcms.org/disaster.

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 uplifting others in their leadership positions, including why it's important to do this to be an effective leader, what we mean by "servant leadership," where we find examples of this in Scripture, the role recognition plays in raising up new leaders, and what it means to lead without a title.Find Bishop Hardy's book from CPH at cph.org/pastoral-leadership-shepherding-and-caring-for-gods-people.

Aubrey Blank, KFUO Radio Intern, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why she was interested in serving as an intern at KFUO Radio, some of the skills she's gained so far, what's been most challenging and most enjoyable, and what she's hoping to gain from this experience. Applications are open now for Spring 2024 internship opportunities. Apply at lcms.org/careers.

Rev. Ken Krueger, President and Chair of Ministry Focus, joins Sarah to talk about the investment and cost of the education to become a rostered church worker, how debt can become a distraction for pastors and other called workers, how MinistryFOCUS addresses this challenge, who supports this ministry, and who is eligible for support. Learn more and apply at ministryfocus.org.

Kay Berry and Julia Petrovic — volunteer team leaders for short-term mission trips, Erin Mackenzie — volunteer coordinator for the Latin America & the Caribbean region, and Anne Gonzalez — manager of Short-term Mission Training and Engagement with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Kay and Julia's service as team leaders, the different mission trips they've experienced, the responsibilities of a team leader, how a team leader ensures success of the trip, how Erin interacts with the team leaders, and qualifications for serving as a team leader. Find current opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org.

Dr. Alan Freeman — Director of LCMS School Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the faithful service of Lutheran Teachers during Church Worker Appreciation Month, including the teachers that influenced his journey to church work, what sets Lutheran teachers apart, and how he's able to interact with Lutheran educators in his role. Learn more about LCMS School Ministry at lcms.org/schools.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. 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.