The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. Weslie Odom, Associate Pastor and Headmaster at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about St. Lucia on her commemoration day, including what we know about her life and upbringing, the state of the Roman Empire during this time, what led to her martyrdom, and our traditions associated with her commemoration.

Steve Johnson — Director of Lutheran Valley Retreat and host of an LCMS Servant Event, Jo Ellen Miskoksi — Project Coordinator for an LCMS Servant Event, and Randy Ronning— Project Coordinator for an LCMS Servant Event, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how LCMS Servant Events began, what their individual first Servant Events were and how they got involved in the program, some projects completed at past Servant Events, how communities have benefited from LCMS Servant Events in the past, who can participate in an LCMS Servant Event, and where Servant Events will be held in 2023. Learn more and register at servantevents.lcms.org.

Rev. Dr. Theodore Hopkins — Associate Professor of Theology, and Program Director for Pre-Seminary and Family Life Ministry at Concordia University Ann Arbor, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about what a Director of Family Life Ministry (DFLM) is trained to do, how this work is important in the lives of families both in the church and home, how this vocation complements other church work vocations, and how students are prepared to serve in this vocation. Learn more about Concordia Ann Arbor and the DFLM program at cuaa.edu/academics/programs/family-life-bachelors/index.html.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.

Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, Professor of Music at Concordia University Nebraska and contributor to David’s Harp, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her involvement in creating the David's Harp "Hymns of the Season" piano books for students of multiple levels, how she arranged hymns for a wide range of skill levels, what has resulted from this partnership, and what is in the latest Volume 4 of "Hymns of the Season." Find these books and more from David's Harp at davidsharpmusic.org/resources.php.

Leah S. Sieveking — Director of Mission Advancement for the LCMS Missouri District, and Josh Swartz — Director of School Ministry for the LCMS Missouri District, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the MO Scholars program through the State of Missouri, how the LCMS Missouri District is involved in this program, how many students have applied for the program, the needs that are still remaining, and how people can make a contribution using tax credits. Learn more at mo.lcms.org/mo-scholars.

Rev. Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah on the commemoration of St. Ambrose of Milan to talk about this saint's history, what we know about his early life and family, Ambrose's position on the Arianism, his relationship to the Roman emperor, and where we see him in our Lutheran traditions (specifically hymnody) today.

Chaplain Amadeus Gandy, LCMS Chaplain at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about St. Nicholas of Myra, what we know about his history, the many legends associated with him, his connection to Santa Claus, and the traditions associated with the Church's commemoration of him.Find a handout from the Gandys on traditions for St. Nicholas (including a recipe for Speculaas!) on Lutheran Homeschool lutheranhomeschool.com/product/st-nicholas-bishop-of-myra-dec-6.

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the December 2022 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Stand Firm" on Ephesians 6:1-24. This year, "Searching the Scriptures" will study the book of Ephesians, so stay tuned each month for the next Bible study. Follow along and search the Scriptures with us!Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.Ephesians 6:1-24Children and Parents6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.Bondservants and Masters5 Bondservants,[a] obey your earthly masters[b] with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master[c] and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.The Whole Armor of God10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.Final Greetings21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.23 Peace be to the brothers,[d] and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.FootnotesEphesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the fleshEphesians 6:9 Greek LordEphesians 6:23 Or brothers and sistersEnglish 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

Joseph Greenmyer, Vicar at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey to pastoral formation, how he worked through challenges on the path to entering seminary, how seminary education has been formational for him, what vicarage looks like for pastoral education students, and his encouragement to those considering church work.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.

Sarah Bernhardt, Executive Director of Intersect Arts Center in St. Louis, and Rev. Dr. Jim Marriott, Department Coordinator for Music at Concordia University Texas, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the work of Intersect Arts, how the arts can help connect people from different backgrounds, the Dovetail events at Intersect, and the upcoming Heads, Faces, and Spiritual Encounter Dovetail Reception and Concert on December 6th from 5-7pm featuring an art exhibit, a five-course menu, theatrical performances, and an Advent hymn sing presented by Jim Marriott and Flame. Learn more and register at intersectstl.org/events.