The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, Professor of Music at Concordia University Nebraska, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his formation as a church musician, what the need is for church organists and musicians today, how CUNE is equipping young people to serve in church work vocations, how studying organ is unlike studying any other musical instrument, and how students at CUNE serve the church even as they're still in university. Learn more about CUNE Music at cune.edu/academics/undergraduate/church-music.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 Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the February 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Reasons to Rejoice" on Philippians 1:12-26. 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 1:12-26The Advance of the Gospel12 I want you to know, brothers,[a] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[b] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[c] without fear.15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.To Live Is ChristYes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.Read full chapterFootnotesPhilippians 1:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 14Philippians 1:13 Greek in the whole praetoriumPhilippians 1:14 Some manuscripts add of GodEnglish 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

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 2 in our series on The English Reformation. In this episode, hear a quick recap of key figures in the English Reformation, the stories of Robert Barnes and William Tyndale, and why these two men were very influential in the English Reformation.Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/the-english-reformation. Find "The Reformation" by Dr. MacKenzie at cph.org/the-reformation and Amazon.com.

Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, Dean of Chapel and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Prevallet Hymn Writer’s Workshop at CSL, including the hymnwriters who have influenced the worship life of Lutherans throughout history, what is essential to being a Lutheran hymn writer, and what attendees will learn at this workshop happening on February 18. Learn more and register at csl.edu/event/prevallet-hymn-writing-workshop.

Rev. Dr. John Sias, Secretary of the LCMS, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about congregation end-of-year statistics and current list of lay leaders that is gathered yearly, how this congregational information is helpful, and how churches can submit their information to the Synod. Submit information to lc.lcms.org and email rosters.stats@lcms.org or call the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267 with any questions.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Distress, including what distress might feel or look like, what can happen when distress is left untended, what we do with distress, and is there any good that can come from distress.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. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., President of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTSFW), and professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his formation as a pastor, the people who encouraged him along the way, what formation for church workers looks like at CTSFW, and the need he sees for church workers. Learn more at CTSFW at ctsfw.edu.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.

Chelsea Irwin — Serving the Lord in Eurasia in the Czech Republic, Erin Mackenzie — Serving the Lord in Latin American and the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic, and Shara Osiro — Serving the Lord in Africa in Kenya, join Andy and Sarah to talk about opportunities to serve on a Short Term Mission team this summer in Poland, Malawi, and the Dominican Republic. These opportunities are:English Bible Camp- Poland, August 2-14, 2023. Team members will lead English Bible Camps with the local church for community outreach.Youth Conference- Malawi, July 30-August 6, 2023. Team members will assist with hosting/leading a youth conference for the Malawian Lutheran Church.Missionary Kid Program Team, August 7-14, 2023, in the Dominican Republic. Team members will lead a VBS-style program for missionary kids during the regional retreat. Spanish or Portuguese skills are very helpful (but not required) in this context.Find these opportunities and apply at servenow.lcms.org.

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 1 in our series on The English Reformation. In this episode, hear about what we mean by "Reformation" and "English Reformation," why many Lutherans know so little about the English Reformation, where this Reformation began, what was happening in other countries at this time, and some of the key figures to know (Thomas Bilney, Hugh Latimer, Thomas Wolsey).Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/the-english-reformation. Find "The Reformation" by Dr. MacKenzie at cph.org/the-reformation and Amazon.com.

Natalie Mayor, Choir Director at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri, along with Junior students Peyton and Vashek, join Andy and Sarah during Lutheran Schools Week to talk about why their families chose Lutheran South for their education, how Lutheran South is preparing them for their next chapters in life, how God's Word is a part of their school day, and why Ms. Mayor loves teaching music at Lutheran South. Learn more about Lutheran High School South at lslancers.org and follow them on social at facebook.com/lhssstl, instagram.com/lhssstl, and twitter.com/lhssstl.