The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Mrs. Karen Shimkus — Choral, Strings, and Guitar Teacher at Metro East Lutheran High School (MELHS) in Edwardsville, Illinois, along with MELHS seniors Sophia, Jakob, and Joey, join Andy and Sarah during National Lutheran Schools Week to talk about why their families chose MELHS for them, how MELHS is preparing them for the next chapter in life, how God's Word is part of their day, what makes MELHS a unique experience for students, and why Mrs. Shimkus loves teaching there. Learn more about MELHS at melhs.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/MetroEastLutheranHS

Scott and Drew Prachar, short-term volunteers with LCMS International Mission, along with Erin Alter, Director of Short-term Missions for LCMS International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the father and son team's experiences serving on short-term volunteer teams, how they got connected to serve in Puerto Rico, how they served on this trip, and what exciting opportunities are coming up for those interested in serving on a short-term trip.Find short-term mission opportunities at servenow.lcms.org.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Forgotten Emotions of Scripture, including why sorting through feelings and emotions can be daunting or intimidating, how a robust vocabulary helps us sort through emotions, how we can expand our emotions vocabulary, and some examples of overlooked or forgotten emotion words of Scripture.Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Dr. Roger Paavola, President of the Mid-South District of the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey into church work from the business world, why he is passionate about encouraging people to consider church work, how others helped him and his family work through challenges, the message he is giving others about the blessings of church work, and how the Mid-South District is supporting the Set Apart to Serve Initiative.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. Dr. Matthew Heise, Executive Director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the current global needs that LHF is meeting, challenges like witchcraft and idol worship that they encounter in certain cultures, what it means for recipients to receive faithful resources in their own language, and the current pressing needs for LHF. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Executive Director of LAMP Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the work of LAMP, the history of residential schools and the abuse and trauma in Indigenous communities, the challenges of youth living in remote villages, how LAMP brings the comfort of the Gospel to people in remote and isolated areas, and a new initiative for the 55th Anniversary of LAMP to reach even more communities with the love of Christ. Learn more about LAMP and how you can participate in 55 for 55 at lampministry.org.

David Vandercar, Men’s Gathering Co-founder and Planner, joins Andy to talk about why they have a gathering for men, the theme and speaker for this year's gathering, what else is on the agenda beyond Bible study and fellowship, and the accommodations for this year's gathering. Learn more and register at mensgathering.us.

Rev. Brian Heller, Manager of LCMS Specialized Pastoral Ministry, joins Andy to talk about Specialized Pastoral Ministry, the upcoming SPM Conference, who should attend this conference, what topics will be covered, and how to register. Learn more about SPM at lcms.org/spm and register for the conference happening February 28 - March 1 at calendar.lcms.org/event/lcms-specialized-pastoral-ministry-conference-2023.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Connection, including some examples of connection, what is required for emotional processing through connection, how this can be challenging in some cultures and easier in others, how things like transference and projection play a role in connection, and the place of vulnerability and boundaries in connection.Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel.Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday.View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Rev. Mark Rabe — Director of Missionary Recruitment with LCMS International Mission, Ariana Gomez — Manager of Missionary Recruitment with LCMS International Mission, and Chelsea Irwin — LCMS Missionary serving in the Czech Republic, join Sarah to talk about the Shadow a Missionary Program for those interested in missionary service, including the wide variety of roles in which missionaries serve, how they all discerned missionary service for themselves, how this immersive program is helpful in that discernment process, and opportunities for this program available now. Learn more and apply at servenow.lcms.org/opp/shadow-a-missionary.