The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Dr. Ted NaThalang, Asia Area Director for Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about how he came to serve with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the nature of his work with LHF, and the various requests for Lutheran books and resources in Asia. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Chaplain Craig Muehler, Director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about the St. Martin of Tours Silver Medal, who St. Martin of Tours is, and the recipient of this award at the National Convention. Learn more about Synod Convention at lcms.org/convention and Ministry to the Armed Forces at lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces.

Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, Executive Assistant to the President of the LCMS South Wisconsin District, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms from the LCMS National Convention to talk about his role in the South Wisconsin District, this District's role in the National Convention this year, and what it means to be a Lutheran in Wisconsin. Find all things Convention at lcms.org/convention.

Matthew Machemer, Assistant Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series during Bach Week to talk about who helped him consider a career in church music, his path to where he is serving today, his responsibilities as a Kantor / Director of Parish Music, the influence of Bach in the role of a Kantor today, and what about Bach’s life and service to the Church has influenced him as a Kantor.Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.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.

Dr. Martin Dicke, former LCMS missionary in Papua New Guinea and board member for David’s Harp, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about Bach’s celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Lutheran Chorale in 1724 with the Chorale Cantata Cycle, what is unique about the Lutheran chorale, how Luther's influence on church music was carried on by Bach, how the Chorale Cantata Cycle has persisted the test of time, and the resources David's Harp is producing in celebration of Reformation-era Lutheran music. Learn more about David's Harp at davidsharpmusic.org.Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Paul Soulek — cantor of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, NE, and cantor for Higher Things, and Renata Peperkorn — Higher Things Summer Cantoral Intern, join Andy and Sarah at Higher Things in Carbondale, IL, to talk about their duties as Cantor and Cantoral Intern at Higher Things, what worship looks like at a Higher Things conference, their teaching about the work of church musicians and hymnody to the youth at Higher Things, and how Bach has played a role in their formation as church musicians. Learn more at Higher Things at higherthings.org.Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Dr. Jonathan Wessler, Kantor at First Lutheran Church in Boston, MA, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about Liturgy in Bach’s Leipzig, including the role of the cantata in the service, how hymn singing worked in those days versus what we're used to now, the “pulpit service” and preaching and its associated music, and music in the service and how everything except the sermon was sung.Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Rev. Brian Hamer, active duty Navy Chaplain and author of Cantatas Over Coffee - J. S. Bach Cantata 75, “The Poor Shall Eat and be Satisfied”, joins Andy and Sarah during Bach Week to talk about why Cantata 75 is so unique to Bach's Leipzig heritage, the liturgical context for Cantata 75, Hamer's Highlights for the Cantata, how the people of Leipzig reacted to the cantata, and the beautiful hymn we have inherited from the Cantata. Read Chaplain Hamer's article at whatdoesthismean.org/lifted-voice--brian-hamer/cantatas-over-coffee-j-s-bach-cantata-75-the-poor-shall-eat-and-be-satisfied and find Lutheran Service Book 760 "What God ordains is always good" at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/760.Listen to all previous Bach Week episodes at kfuo.org/tag/bach-week.

Erica Sorensen — Executive Director for Higher Things, and Rev. Harrison Goodman — Content Executive for Higher Things, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the mission of Higher Things, how Higher Things facilitates conversations with youth about considering full-time church work, how Higher Things supports church workers in their vocations, and why conferences are important for teaching the faith to youth. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.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.

Lars Gindler and Stephen Christian, CCVs at Higher Things in Carbondale, IL, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what a CCV (College Conference Volunteer) does to make conferences run smoothly, what they've learned as they've served in this way, why it's important for them to serve, and how this experience shapes their thoughts about future vocations. Learn more about Higher Things at higherthings.org.