The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Portugal? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Adalberto Hiller (President, Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Portugal, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church at ielp.pt.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does a pair of musicians end up playing with the Getty band? Zach and Maggie White (singer-songwriters and recording artists, also known as Zaggie) join Andy and Sarah from the 2026 Getty Sing! Conference to talk about the Christian tradition in which they were raised, how they met, their paths to becoming accomplished musicians and recording artists, their parts in Getty Music, and what they've learned about the musician's role in leading the congregation in song.

Find Zach and Maggie's music at zaggiemusic.com.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does a Lutheran church in a college town serve the needs of students? The Rev. Bryan Spang, (Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, State College, PA) joins Andy and Sarah as the KFUO Radio Church of the Week to talk about the community of State College and Penn State University, how Good Shepherd reaches out to college students, other ministries at Good Shepherd, and how ministry has changed over the decades that Pastor Spang has been there.

Learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at goodshepherdsc.org and the Revive Campus Ministry at revivepsu.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How is church worker formation influenced by family life? The Rev. James Woelmer (pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Manhattan, KS), the Rev. Joshua Woelmer (pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Paola, KS), the Rev. David Woelmer (pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Smithville, TX), the Rev. Jacob Tuma (pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pierce, NE), and Kantor Bethany Johnson (kantor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS ) join Andy and Sarah for a family meeting during our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about where each of them serves, what makes for so many church workers in one family, who helped form them in the faith and encourage church work as a vocation, the church work conversations that happen when they all get together, and how we can encourage more young people to consider church work.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We’ve talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 6, the Rev. Trae Fistler (Mid South District Disaster Response Coordinator) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about what LCMS Disaster Response does, how showing God's mercy and love play a major role in disaster response, how volunteers are trained to respond to disasters, how this is both physical care and spiritual care, and how responders have shown love to their neighbors in the Mid South District.

Follow what happens in the Mid South District on Facebook by following Faith in Action Disaster Response LCMS on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095452625389. Find LCMS Disaster Response at lcms.org/who-we-are/national-mission/disaster-response-and-training and local LERT training at lcms-lert.org.

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head west to the beautiful Northwest for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Michael Von Behren (President, Northwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in the Philippines? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Antonio Reyes (President, The Lutheran Church in the Philippines) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of The Lutheran Church in the Philippines, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of the Philippines, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find The Lutheran Church in the Philippines at ilcouncil.org/members/asia/philippines.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway and Iceland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Torkild Masvie (Bishop, Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Norway and Iceland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland at lkn.no/information-in-english.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do music artists create meaningful stories through song? Blake Flattley, (singer-songwriter; Director of Worship Arts, Concordia University Irvine) joins Andy and Sarah from the Getty Sing! Conference to talk about what he gets to do as a singer-songwriter, how hymns have been an important part of his life, what goes into writing new hymnody for the church, how The Songwriter Initiative from Concordia Irvine adds music to the church's repertoire, and the collaboration he's been able to do with Lutheran Braille Workers.

Find the collaborative songs with Lutheran Braille Workers at lbwloveworks.org, and follow Blake on Instagram @blakeflattley.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does formation for service in the church as a musician look like? Dr. Kurt von Kampen (Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, Concordia University, Nebraska) and Paul Soulek (Cantor and Director of Music, St. John Lutheran Church and School, Seward, NE; Adjunct Faculty in Music, Concordia University, Nebraska) join Andy and Sarah to talk about where their love of church music came from, why they each chose their respective paths in education and church music, how music plays a role in the lives of the students and parishioners they serve, what Director of Parish Music formation looks like at CUNE, and why it's so important that the church forms parish musicians.

Find music programs at CUNE at cune.edu/music.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We've talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In the first half of Episode 5, Rev. Max Phillips (Chief Executive Officer and Chaplain, Perry Lutheran Homes, Perry, Iowa ) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about what prompted the development of Perry Lutheran Homes, what loving your neighbor looks like in the day-to-day at Perry Lutheran Homes, what makes Perry Lutheran Homes unique among organizations, why it seems harder to care for the elderly and people who are suffering, and how we can view care of the aging through the lens of Christ's cross. In the second half, Karen Carter (President, Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries) and Reuben Schmitz (Vice President, Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries) talk about how Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries was formed, how God's Word plays a role in their work, what loving your neighbor looks like in their day-to-day context, how we can view people with disabilities through the lens of Christ's cross, and the kind of care the church can give to those who are aging that we may not think of or intuitively know to do.

Find Perry Lutheran Homes at perrylutheranhomes.org.

Find Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries at bethesdaldm.org.

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head west to the beautiful Pacific Southwest for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson (President, Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Nigeria? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Christian Ekong (Archbishop, Lutheran Church of Nigeria) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Nigeria, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Lutheran Church of Nigeria at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/the-lutheran-church-of-nigeria.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Thor With (Bishop, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Norway, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway at delsin.no and ilcouncil.org/members/europe/norway-2.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the latest updates from our friends in Lutheran Mission - Australia? The Rev. Michael Prenzler (Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) and Deaconess Kathleen Mills (Registrar, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) join Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the very exciting first Synodical Assembly for Lutheran Mission - Australia (LM-A), the now-official altar and pulpit fellowship between LM-A and the LCMS, the new developments for LM-A's seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia), the story of the beginning and development of the seminary, the state of theological education for the upcoming year, and future goals for Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia.

Learn more about Lutheran Mission - Australia and the new seminary at lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au.

For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visitwitness.lcms.org.

What are the latest updates from our friends in Lutheran Mission - Australia? The Rev. Michael Prenzler (Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) and Deaconess Kathleen Mills (Registrar, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) join Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the very exciting first Synodical Assembly for Lutheran Mission - Australia (LM-A), the now-official altar and pulpit fellowship between LM-A and the LCMS, the new developments for LM-A's seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia), the story of the beginning and development of the seminary, the state of theological education for the upcoming year, and future goals for Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia.

Learn more about Lutheran Mission - Australia and the new seminary at lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What's it like to be a freshman church work student at Concordia University Chicago? Eva Maria Askins (Classical Lutheran Educator program, secondary track majoring in English), Thea Ball (Classical Lutheran Educator program), Abby Warren (deaconess program), Elizabeth Wendt (English/Linguistics, aiming to be a Concordia Professor), and Mary Egger (Classical Lutheran Educator program) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their experiences as freshmen in church work programs, including why they chose the program they're in, the influence their fathers (who are all church workers) had in their faith formation and decision to pursue church work, what it's like to have a group to study and grow with, the exciting things they've experienced so far in their studies at CUC, and their favorite class in their program.

Find Concordia Chicago at cuchicago.edu.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the hard questions that affect how we love our neighbors? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In the first half of Episode 4, Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann (Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary St. Louis) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about whether loving your neighbor is always law-abiding, if we should take risks to love our neighbor, why these risks are often the small things right in front of us, and the things that challenge us about loving our neighbors. In the second half, the Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Church of the Deaf in Austin, TX) joins Sarah and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer to talk about how love is often described and defined on social media, how a biblical understanding of loving your neighbor compares to modern social definitions of love, how we can talk with our kids about being loving in a social media age, and how we live in the tension between love and happiness.

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to beautiful New England for today’s conversation! The Rev. Robert Beinke (President, New England District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Sweden? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Bengt Ådahl (Bishop, Mission Province in Sweden) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Mission Province in Sweden, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Sweden, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Mission Province in Sweden at ilcouncil.org/members/europe/sweden.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Paraguay? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Alceu Figur (President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Paraguay, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/the-evangelical-lutheran-church-of-paraguay.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does a St. Louis tradition provide huge support to Lutheran education? Libby Gutberlet (CEO, Lutheran Elementary School Association) and Dr. Jessica Bergholdt (Head of School, St. John School, Ellisville, MO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about Brew in the Lou happening this Saturday, October 10. Dr. Bergholdt shares the story of St. John School in Ellisville, how St. John School meets the needs of families in the surrounding community, what is unique about St. John School, and how a personalized learning approach benefits students. Libby shares details about the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), how LESA supports educators and students, and how to attend this year's Brew in the Lou. Learn more at BrewintheLou.com.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

“Adiaphora,” while not a biblical term, was employed during the Reformation to refer to “ceremonies and Church practices … neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but … introduced into the Church with good intention, for the sake of good order and proper custom, or otherwise to maintain Christian discipline” (SD X 1). Already in the Augsburg Confession, the basic Lutheran position on adiaphora was articulated: “For the true unity of the Church it is … not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere” (AC VII 2–3).

However, a question soon arose: How should churches respond when a hostile government attempts to impose human traditions upon the church? During the Adiaphoristic Controversy (1548–1555), Roman Catholic-controlled governments attempted to impose certain outward traditions and trappings upon Lutheran churches in the territories they governed. Some Lutherans opined that compromise with the persecutors was acceptable, while others refused to budge. Article X insists that, when the Gospel and Christian freedom are at stake, even things that are, strictly speaking, adiaphora become matters of confession. Context is crucial for determining whether something is or isn’t an adiaphoron at a particular time or place. This article also upholds the usefulness of churchly traditions while acknowledging that they can be altered to meet local needs.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the October 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article X: Church Practices” on Article X in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!

This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep X on Church Practices (p. 496) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (CPH, 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.

Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article VIX at kfuo.org/2025/10/07/coffee-hour-100725-adiaphora-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.

Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does philosophy impact our understanding of God's command to love our neighbor? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 3, Dr. Angus Menuge (Professor and Chair of Philosophy Program, Concordia University, Wisconsin) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about philosophy and its implications on how we understand who we are as human beings, different philosophical influences on our culture, the difference between modernism and post-modernism and how both affect how we love our neighbors, and how AI affects our understanding of vocation and loving our neighbors.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

Find Every One His Witness at resources.lcms.org/general/every-one-his-witness-lutheran-evangelism-program.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to Oklahoma for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. David Nehrenz (President, Oklahoma District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, what makes the Oklahoma District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Lithuania? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of Lutheranism in Lithuania and the history of his church body, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Lithuania, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania at liuteronai.lt.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Kenya? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Omolo (Archbishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Kenya, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/evangelical-lutheran-church-in-kenya.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How can you bring the Gospel to the next generation of First Nations communities? The Rev. Dr. Steven D. Schave (Executive Director, LAMP - Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the present needs of the communities LAMP serves in Northern Canada, how these communities embrace the teams who come year after year, what the new Luke 24 Project is, how this project will further the mission of LAMP, and what people can do to get involved.

Learn more about the Luke 24 Project and LAMP at lampministry.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How did Concordia University students have conversations about church work while serving as Young Adult Representatives at this year's Higher Things conferences? Heidi McKeage (Concordia University, Chicago; Sophomore; Deaconess Program), Maximus Fritsche (Concordia University, Nebraska; Junior; Pre-Seminary) and Isabel Seifferlein (Concordia University, Nebraska; Sophomore; Lutheran Teacher Program) join Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about the church work programs they're in, the Concordia Universities they're attending, their individual journeys into these programs, who encouraged them to consider church work, campus life on their respective Concordias, their experiences at Higher Things over the summer, the conversations they had with youth who were considering church work, and why it's important to have these conversations with young people.

Find Higher Things at higherthings.org.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does "mercy" mean? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 2, Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (Managing Director, LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about mercy. Deaconess Manor explores how we consider mercy and grace, how mercy is loving your neighbor, who is given to show mercy, if loving your neighbor always means sharing the Gospel at the same time, and if there's a difference in how we show mercy to Christians and non-Christians.

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

Find Every One His Witness at resources.lcms.org/general/every-one-his-witness-lutheran-evangelism-program.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to North Dakota for today’s conversation! The Rev. Mark Chepulis (President, North Dakota District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how his varied studies in high school and college lend to being a pastor, his time serving in congregations and what makes a tri-point parish unique, his duties as a district president, what makes the North Dakota District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Ghana? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. John Donkoh (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, the church body's relationship with the LCMS, how the church fits into the broader culture of Ghana, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, challenges the church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana at lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/evangelical-lutheran-church-of-ghana.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Germany? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Hans-Jörg Voigt (Bishop, Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church - SELK, Germany) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of SELK, the SELK's relationship with the LCMS, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Germany, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find SELK at selk.de.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do LCMS missionaries share the love of Christ in Tanzania? The Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne (Theological Educator and Deaconess, Serving the Lord in Tanzania) join Sarah to talk about where they serve, their journey to the mission field, what has happened since our previous conversation with them in April 2025, how they are able to partner with the local church body in Tanzania, what theological education for pastors and deaconesses looks like in Tanzania, and their family life on the field.

Learn more about the Paynes and how to support their work at lcms.org/payne.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the joys and challenges of sending a student off to college to prepare for a life of church work? Ally Moreno (Senior at Concordia University, Wisconsin, Director of Church Ministries Program) and her dad the Rev. Mike Moreno (Senior pastor, Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk, NE) join Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what Ally is studying, why she chose the Director of Church Ministries program, what makes this program unique, her faith formation since childhood, and who has encouraged her along the way. Pastor Moreno talks about his own journey into pastoral ministry, how he and his wife encouraged Ally in the faith, their experience sending Ally to college, and his encouragement to other parents whose children might be considering church work.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does it mean to love your neighbor? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 1, Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher (Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of Certification, Concordia Seminary St. Louis) joins Sarah and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about "love" in Scripture. Dr. Fickenscher explores where "loving your neighbor" is recorded in Scripture, various Old and New Testament examples of love, gives an exegetical study of the words "love" and "neighbor," and shares what these words mean for us today as we live out our God-given vocations in our contexts.

Find the Friends for Life podcast at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to southern Wisconsin for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador (President, South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey through school, his pathway to seminary, stories from his service in the parish after seminary, his duties as a district president and how he sees the district serving the local parish, how his service in the parish influences how he serves as President, what makes the South Wisconsin District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does Lutheranism look like in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Mark Schroeder (President, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the history of WELS, the relationship between WELS and LCMS, what WELS looks like today in the United States and abroad, the current emphases of the WELS, how WELS does pastoral formation, challenges they've faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and what he's enjoyed about being among Lutherans from around the globe.

Find the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at wels.net.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Finland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the recent challenges this church body and he personally have faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Finland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland at lhpk.fi.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Finland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, the recent challenges this church body and he personally have faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of Finland, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland at lhpk.fi.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does a collection of church music serve the church at large? Dr. Elisabeth Urtel (Interim Director, Center for Church Music; Adjunct Instructor at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Center for Church Music housed on the campus of Concordia University, Chicago, including her extensive background in church music and hymnology, her recent dissertation studies on The Lutheran Hymnal, what the Center for Church Music is and how it serves the church, some of the exciting things you'll find in the Center's archives, and why this is an important resource for the church at large. Find the Center for Church Music at cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music.

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do a pastor, deaconess, and principal work together for faith formation and encouraging future church workers? The Rev. Dr. Matthew Durance (Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church and School, Harbor Beach, MI), Deaconess Rachel Bulgrien (Zion Lutheran Church and School, Harbor Beach, MI), and Julie Metzger (Principal, Zion Lutheran Church and School, Harbor Beach, MI) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how each of them serves in their unique vocations, their individual journeys into church work, how they each have a hand in faith formation of children and adults at Zion, how forming our children in the faith is also key to forming them toward full-time church work, and how the congregation is involved in robust faith formation.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the challenges of New Testament archeology, and what exciting things have been discovered just recently? Dr. Steven Notley (Dean of Religious Studies at Pillar College, Newark, NJ) and the Rev. Dr. Stephen Pietsch (Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Theological Research and Publication, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the third annual "These Stones Will Shout" biblical archaeology lecture set for Sept. 29th at Concordia Seminary. They discuss Dr. Notley's background and interest in biblical archaeology, the excavations at Khirbet el Araj, its historical and Biblical significance, how historical geography and New Testament archeology help us understand the scriptures more, where the el Araj excavation fits in the grand timeline of excavations in this part of the world, the challenges that come with New Testament archeology, and what attendees will hear at the upcoming lecture.

Learn more about the lecture at csl.edu/2026/06/third-annual-these-stones-will-shout-biblical-archaeology-lecture-set-for-sept-29.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to the northern third of Illinois for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Allan Buss (President, Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about where he grew up, his journey to seminary, where he served in parishes and what he learned from those experiences, why visitation is so important to him in his vocation, his duties as a district president, what makes the Northern Illinois District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does the Gospel of Christ bring peace, forgiveness, and restoration to women who are struggling after an abortion? Deaconess Dr. Chrissie Gillet (Director, Word of Hope, a ministry of Lutherans for Life) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about an upcoming retreat for women struggling after abortion. They talk about what inspired this retreat, who it is for, what attendees will experience, how this retreat will bring the hope and healing of Christ to women, and what makes this retreat different from others. Learn more at word-of-hope.org/rgr, 888-217-8679, or info@word-of-hope.org.

Redeeming Grace Retreat

October 1-4, 2026

Registration deadline: September 15

A Place of Peace, Forgiveness, and Restoration

Wildwood Hills Ranch, St. Charles, Iowa

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How can we express joy even in sorrow? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) joins Andy and Sarah for Part 3 of 3 on “serious joy” to talk about what "countenance" is and how it's related to joy, how we practice joy in sorrow, some misconceptions about joy, the difference between joy and happiness, and where we can turn to in Scripture for encouragement.

Find everything from Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller at wolfmueller.co and youtube.com/@PastorBryanWolfmueller.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do Church Work Scholarships make a difference for church work students? The Rev. Patrick Gumz (Mission Executive, Central Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod), Nicholas Seibert (Vicar at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Springfield, IL) and Oliver Braaten (Freshman, Concordia University, Nebraska) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about Pastor Gumz's story of church work formation, what Christian formation has looked like for all three of them, their individual stories of considering church work vocations, how congregations are a part of the culture helping to form church workers, how church work scholarships are important for students in their formation journey, and why it is important for LCMS Districts to support church worker formation.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

In the 16th century, there were some disputes among Lutherans over the phrase of the Apostles’ Creed, “He descended into hell.” The FC explains its meaning: Christ “destroyed hell for all believers, and delivered them from the power of death and of the devil, from eternal condemnation and the jaws of hell” (FC Ep IX 4). The FC also holds up Martin Luther’s 1533 sermon on this topic (WA 37:62–67) as a model for how to preach it. Luther’s sermon teaches that we must not rely on our reason or five senses to understand this (or any other) article of the faith but rather should trust God’s Word as articulated in the Creed, which leads us to confess everywhere and always, “Christ is risen!” This Bible study will examine passages that show how in Christ we are victorious over all these enemies.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the September 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article IX: Christ’s Descent into Hell” on Article VIX in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!

This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep IX on Christ’s Descent into Hell (p. 495) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (CPH, 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.

Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article VIX at kfuo.org/2025/09/05/coffee-hour-090525-the-descent-into-hell-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.

Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to the great state of Texas for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Jon Braunersreuther (President, Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how his service after seminary influences how he serves today, his duties as a district president and how he sees the district serving the local parish, what makes the Texas District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Brazil? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Geraldo Schüler (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil - IELB) joins Sarah, guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications), and translator Rev. Airton Schroeder (Vice President of Mercy Work, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil - IELB) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, the long history between the IELB and the LCMS, how the church fits into the broader culture of Argentina, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, challenges the church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IELB: Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil) at ielb.org.br.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Bolivia? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Limberth Fernandez Coronado (President, Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia) joins Sarah, guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications), and translator Rev. Tyler McMiller (LCMS Missionary serving the Lord in Italy) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia, how the church fits into the broader culture of Bolivia, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, challenges the church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Can you have joy even when you're suffering? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) joins Andy and Sarah for Part 2 of 3 on “serious joy” to talk about whether we can have joy in the midst of suffering, what joy looks like in these situations, whether joy must be felt, how we actually find joy or even happiness, and where Jesus comes to us to bring us joy.

Find everything from Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller at wolfmueller.co and youtube.com/@PastorBryanWolfmueller.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does a congregation’s care for her church workers impact the congregation and the recruitment of future church workers? David Kuschel (Assistant Vice President of Ministry Engagement, Concordia Plan Services) and Kelly Menke (Ministry Wellness Advisor, Concordia Plan Services) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how they get to care for church workers in their roles with Concordia Plan Services, what care looks like from various facets of wellness, how congregations can care for their workers, how appropriate compensation contributes to church worker health and joy, how caring for church workers impacts the overall health and joy of a congregation, the relationship between church worker wellness and worker recruitment, and some tips for caring for church workers.

Find Concordia Plan Services at concordiaplans.org.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Compensation Decision Support Tool - concordiaplans.org/employers/resources/compensation-decision-support-tool

Wellness Champion Center - concordiaplans.org/employers/keep-my-ministry-well/wellness-champion-center

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do Concordia Universities prepare students for their next chapter in life and service to their neighbor? Maybe even a career in the lively world of Banana Ball? Blake Benson – #17, Pitcher for the Loco Beach Coconuts (Banana Ball) joins Andy and Sarah on his trip to St. Louis to face off against the Savannah Bananas to talk about what Banana Ball is, how pitching in Banana Ball is different from what we might call “regular” baseball, the flair he adds to the game as a break dancer, how his journey to Banana Ball went through Concordia University, Nebraska, how his time at CUNE shaped him into the player he is today, and what he learned in his first year playing Banana Ball.

Learn more about the Banana Ball phenomenon at bananaball.com and the baseball program at CUNE at cune.edu/athletics/teams/baseball.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the duties of the 3rd Vice President of the LCMS? The Rev. Dr. Scott Murray (retiring as 3rd Vice President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey through schooling, the journey that took him to the seminary, his service to parishes along the way, his work as 3rd Vice President, and what he has loved about being a pastor in the LCMS.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Argentina? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Arturo Truenow (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina) joins Sarah, guest co-host the Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications), and translator Rev. Tyler McMiller (LCMS Missionary serving the Lord in Italy) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina, how the church fits into the broader culture of Argentina, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, challenges the church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy he's found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.

Find Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina at iela.org.ar.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Australia? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Matt Anker (President, Lutheran Mission – Australia) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the general landscape of religion and Lutheranism in Australia, the current state of the Lutheran Mission - Australia and exciting things coming up, the seminary currently in development for LMA students, the first Synodical Assembly happening in August 2026, challenges LMA has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the joy Rev. Anker has found in being in fellowship with other Lutherans at ICRC.

Find Lutheran Mission - Australia at lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What is joy? What is serious joy? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) joins Andy and Sarah for Part 1 of 3 on "serious joy" to talk about how we define joy, the four quadrants of the human heart, the distinction between joy and happiness, where and how Scripture speaks about joy, how joy is expressed in action and in trial, and whether joy can be serious.

Find everything from Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller at wolfmueller.co and youtube.com/@PastorBryanWolfmueller.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What is classical Lutheran education, and how are young people being prepared to serve as educators in classical settings? The Rev. Dr. Charles Schulz (Professor of Theology and Classical Lutheran Educator Program Leader at Concordia University, Chicago) and Macy Froetschner (Deaconess student and rising senior in the Classical Lutheran Educator program at Concordia University, Chicago) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about Dr. Schulz's work at Concordia Chicago, what classical Lutheran education is and how the Classical Lutheran Educator program prepares students to serve in classical schools, the demand for classical Lutheran educators, Macy's story of choosing Concordia Chicago for her education, why she loves classical education and deaconess work, and why this program offers students a unique opportunity to serve the church in classical schools.

Learn more about the Classical Lutheran Educator program at Concordia University Chicago at catalog.cuchicago.edu/undergraduate/classical-lutheran-educator-program.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does mission work look like across the continent of Africa? The Rev. Shauen Trump (Regional Director, Africa, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synod Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, to talk about the Africa Region for the LCMS, the various ministries across the region, why it's important to work with the local church bodies when doing mission work, the history of some of these church bodies, the ways churches have mercy work across the region, how church planting happens in different countries, how theological education happens across the region, and how short-term teams play a role in the Africa Region.

Learn more about Rev. Trump and how to support his work at lcms.org/trump. Find your opportunity to serve at servenow.lcms.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to the Rocky Mountains for today's conversation! Rev. James Maxwell (President, Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serving Rock of Ages Lutheran Church – Colorado Springs, CO) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how his service after seminary influences how he serves today, his duties as a district president and what makes the Rocky Mountain District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the Lutheran church look like in Canada? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Timothy Teuscher (President/Bishop, Lutheran Church—Canada) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he gets to live and work, a history of Lutheran Church–Canada and how the LCMS uniquely shares some of that history, the relationship between the LCMS and LCC, how the Lutheran church fits into the broader cultural context in Canada, challenges the Church faces in Canada, and his message to the members of the LCMS during his time in Phoenix.

To learn more about Global Lutheranism:

Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.

Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.

Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does a Professional Parliamentarian do, and why is this role important at the LCMS Convention? Al Gage (current Parliamentarian for the National Association of Parliamentarians, CPP-T, PRP, PAP; past president of the American Institute of Parliamentarians) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to share his story and why he became a parliamentarian, what exactly a professional parliamentarian is, the purpose and intention behind Robert’s Rules of Order, what these rules accomplish and how they do it, how congregational voter’s assembly can get the benefits of Robert’s Rules without having to have a full time parliamentarian, one of the most creative ways Al has seen Robert’s Rules used, and how congregations can implement Robert’s Rules of Order in their congregations.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Over half of the congregations of the LCMS are in rural or small-town communities. What is unique about ministry in these communities? Erika Petsch (Director of Continuing Education, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis), the Rev. Russ Sommerfeld (Professor Emeritus, Concordia University, Nebraska; former President of the LCMS Nebraska District), and the Rev. Dr. David J. Peter (Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Faculty, Concordia Seminary St. Louis) join Andy to talk about the partnership between Concordia University, Nebraska and Concordia Seminary to provide insights and learning about serving in rural and small-town communities. They discuss what rural and small-town ministry is, experiences from Dr. Peter and Rev. Sommerfeld about serving in these communities, what is unique about rural and small-town culture and relationships, distinctives of small congregation life, challenges rural and small-town congregations may face, who would benefit most from this Studia Vitae course, and why Concordia Seminary and Concordia Nebraska partnered for this course.

Learn more about this and other Studia Vitae courses by visiting cune.edu/ceu or ceu.cune.edu.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How can we use conversation to connect with young people in church? Tim Oberdieck (Youth Director at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Seward, NE) and Annie Ryan (Director of Church Ministries at Bethlehem Lutheran in Delmar, NY) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they each get to serve in their ministry contexts, how they see personal relationships making a difference when connecting with young people, how changes in social media and technology pave the way for investing in real-life and in-person leadership opportunities, how they see youth and adults in the church interacting in informal yet meaningful ways, and how youth perceive interaction with adults in the church.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Faithfully Formed by Andy Wright - cph.org/faithfully-formed-the-lutheran-confessions-in-daily-life

My First Catechism from Concordia Publishing House - cph.org/p-34256-my-first-catechism

Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids from Concordia Publishing House - cph.org/luthers-small-catechism-for-kids

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does Lutheran theology contribute to the care of souls, especially those struggling with mental health issues? Erika Petsch (Director, Continuing Education, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs (Licensed Psychologist, Senior Professor of Practical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the 2026 Theological Symposium at CSL: "I Will Uphold You: Ministry in Mental Health." They discuss the relationship between the care of souls and mental health, the changes or significant challenges to mental health we've seen in the past 10 years, how we've also seen changes in mental health and spiritual care during this time, what we can learn in this year’s Theological Symposium, the long and exciting list of presenters and their presentations, and why this topic is especially important to Erika and Dr. Marrs.

Find more details about the Symposium happening September 22-23, 2026, at Concordia Seminary at csl.edu/symposium.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Heidi Goehmann's series on "Emotions and the Gospel" - kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel

Coffee Hour conversations with Dr. Marrs - kfuo.org/tag/rick-marrs

Coffee Hour conversations with Dr. Pietsch - kfuo.org/tag/stephen-pietsch

Issues, Etc., series on Christianity and Psychiatry with Dr. John Flo - issuesetc.org/tag/john-flo

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the duties of the 4th Vice President of the LCMS? The Rev. Nabil Nour (4th Vice President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and seminary journey, his work in the Executive Synod District as 4th Vice President, and what he loves about being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does the Lutheran Church look like in Italy today? The Rev. Tyler McMiller (LCMS Missionary serving the Lord in Italy) joins Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synod Convention to talk about a brief history of the Lutheran church in Italy and the state of Lutherans in Italy today, what his mission work looks like across the peninsula, who is being served by the mission efforts, the team he gets to work with, what worship and congregational life look like, the native Italian pastors who were recently ordained, how his experience as a missionary kid servs him as a missionary today, and what his family life in Italy looks like.

Learn more about Rev. McMiller's work and how to support him at lcms.org/mcmiller.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does Deaf ministry look like at Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas) joins Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synod Convention to talk about the need for Gospel ministry among the Deaf, what Pastor Wolfmueller learned as a newcomer to Deaf ministry, his experiences learning ASL in a ministry context, what he found to be most helpful in learning a new language and culture, some misconceptions he had about Deaf culture and ministry prior to entering into Deaf ministry, how his prior work has been helpful in caring for souls who are Deaf, and how his experience in Deaf ministry has shaped his approach to new opportunities and challenges.

Learn more at stpaulaustin.org and jesusdeafchurch.com.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What role do athletics play in the formation of future church workers? Coach Matt Beisel (Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach – Concordia University, Nebraska) and Coach Josh Schumacher (Head Football Coach, Concordia University, St. Paul) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their respective positions and why they love being coaches, how sports have been a key part of their development both physically and as a whole person, the importance of the physical development of a person for their future vocations, how stewardship of the body and physical health impact how a church worker serves, and their philosophy/theology when they coach men and women at our Concordia universities.

Learn more about CUNE athletics at cune.edu/athletics and CSP athletics at cspbears.com.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does Lutheran Heritage Foundation work around the globe? The Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise (executive director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation), the Rev. Dr. Dinku Bato (Translation Coordinator, Africa, Lutheran Heritage Foundation), and the Rev. Dr. Ted NaThalang (Translation Coordinator, Southeast Asia, Lutheran Heritage Foundation) join Sarah at the LCMS Synod Convention to share updates in Icelandic and Norwegian languages, the Spanish Book of Prayer, materials in Swahili, the African translation seminary, pastors seeking Lutheranism in South Sudan, materials in Chinese and Indonesian, a new regional office in Malaysia, and how LHF approaches materials for second-generation immigrants around the globe. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head Southeast for our conversation, recorded at the LCMS Synod Convention. The Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon (President, Southeastern District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, also serving King of Glory, Williamsburg, VA) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing and school journey, how he became a pastor, how he serves as President of the Southeastern District, what makes this district unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What is the origin story of Lutheran Heritage Foundation? The Rev. Dr. Robert Rahn (Founder of Lutheran Heritage Foundation) and the Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise (executive director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation) join Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synod Convention to talk about where Lutheran Heritage Foundation began, the challenges Dr. Rahn and his colleagues faced in cultivating relationships and partnerships, what he learned about the Church as he met and built relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe, the first books or materials LHF translated when venturing into a new language, and how they've seen LHF grow over the years.

Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Article VIII of the Formula of Concord (FC), “The Person of Christ,” is closely related to Article VII, “The Holy Supper of Christ.” After Luther’s death in 1546, Calvinist errors about Communion and Christ found their way into some Lutheran churches and schools. The FC criticizes Calvinists for attempting to explain the mysteries of the Supper and the Savior in terms acceptable to human reason rather than simply following the truth of God’s Word.

It is helpful that the FC has separated articles VII and VIII, because they answer slightly different questions, though both originated in the debate over the Lord’s Supper. Article VII answers what the Sacrament is, taking its answer directly from the Words of Institution (for example, Matt. 26:26–28). Article VIII answers the challenge, “How can the true body and true blood of Christ be present in, with and under the bread and wine in all the countless places where the Sacrament is celebrated, and in heaven with the ascended Christ, at once?” It does so by taking up Christology (the theology of the person and work of Christ), providing an answer from Scripture. The answer is that the God-man can cause His Word to do what it says it does, for as He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (MATT. 28:18). This study will search Scripture for its teachings on the divine and human natures personally united in the one Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the August 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article VIII: The Person of Christ" on Article VIII in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!

This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read Formula of Concord Epitome VIII on the Person of Christ (p. 491–493) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (CPH 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.

Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article VII at kfuo.org/2025/08/11/coffee-hour-081125-the-person-of-christ-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.

Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

It's Bach Week! This week, we commemorate legendary church musician J.S. Bach with conversations about his work and influence on the church’s song over centuries. How has the music of J.S. Bach helped to form church workers over the years? The Rev. Dr. Christopher Ahlman (Associate Pastor and Director of Parish Music, Memorial Lutheran Church and School, Houston, TX) and Deaconess Elizabeth Ahlman (upper school teacher, Memorial Lutheran Church and School, Houston, TX) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their own individual journeys into church work, how each of them now serves at Memorial Lutheran, the role of music in their journeys, Bach's influence on each of their paths, the role of the organ in the ministry of the church, and the role of Bach's music in the spiritual formation of the people they serve, both in the school and the church. Learn more about Memorial Lutheran Church and School at mlchouston.org.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

It's Bach Week! This week, we commemorate legendary church musician J.S. Bach with conversations about his work and influence on the church’s song over centuries. How has the work of J.S. Bach influenced spiritual care? Deaconess Cara Patton (Worship Coordinator, LCMS Office of National Mission) and Kantor Christina Roberts (Kantor, Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, Michigan) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the ways in which they serve the church in the offices of deaconess and kantor, how spiritual care is uniquely a part of each of these offices, the role of music in spiritual care, how Bach's music specifically lends itself to spiritual care, and some ways they've each used Bach's music to help people through difficult situations.

Learn more about Our Savior in Grand Rapids at oursavior-gr.org/church and LCMS Worship at lcms.org/worship.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

It's Bach Week! This week, we commemorate legendary church musician J.S. Bach with conversations about his work and influence on the church’s song over centuries. How has the music of J.S. Bach influenced our present-day church music? Dr. Joseph Herl (professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about who introduced Dr. Herl to the work of J.S. Bach, the ways Bach's music has shaped his relationship with music, what people thought of Bach's music during his own time, how Bach's music actually became famous, the influence of Bach's music on our modern Lutheran church music, and how Bach's music influences Dr. Herl's teaching methods.

Learn more about music at CUNE at cune.edu/music.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

It's Bach Week! This week, we commemorate legendary church musician J.S. Bach with conversations about his work and influence on the church’s song over centuries. What are Bach societies, and how do they help share the beautiful music of J.S. Bach? Ron Klemm (host and producer of Bach Talk, and former KFUO Radio talent) and Dr. A. Dennis Sparger (Music Director and Conductor of the Bach Society of St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the importance of Bach, what is so special about singing Bach together with a large ensemble, how conducting Bach is different from other composers, what a Bach Society is and why there are so many around the globe, how these societies have influenced the musical culture around them, and what they've learned about Bach over the years.

Find the Bach Society of St. Louis at bachsociety.org and Bach Talk at bachsociety.org/bach-talk.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

It's Bach Week! This week, we commemorate legendary church musician J.S. Bach with conversations about his work and influence on the church’s song over centuries. Dr. Bruce Durazzi (Special Collections Librarian, Hasse Memorial Library, Concordia Seminary) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his work in Concordia Seminary’s Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library, how the Bach Bible ended up at Concordia Seminary, some of the history behind this volume of books, interesting pieces of trivia about the Bach Bible (Calov Commentary), and what we learn about J.S. Bach from this piece.

Find the Rare and Special Collections at the Hasse Memorial Library at library.csl.edu/rare-and-special-collections/bach-bible. Also mentioned this episode is J.S. Bach and Scripture: Glosses from the Calov Bible Commentary by Robin Leaver, available from CPH at cph.org/j-s-bach-and-scripture-glosses-from-the-calov-bible-commentary.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How did the CUS leadership team become pastors in the first place? The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President of Concordia University System) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel (Vice President of Concordia University System) join Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synodical Convention to talk about their journeys to seminary, who encouraged them to consider church work, where each of them has served, what they have experienced and learned along the way, and how their own formation and experience informs their work with the CUS today. Learn more about CUS at CUS.edu.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We catch up with Erin Bode at the LCMS Synodical Convention about the release of a special collaborative album that has been in the works for years. Erin Bode (singer, songwriter, and recording artist) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about her trips to South Africa in the early 2000s to visit the Themba School, why she returned to the Themba School to record with the boys' choir, the collaborative process required to create the beautiful music on the new release "Sounds of Mercy," and some insight into the creative process and what she learned through the process of creating this album. Find the new release of Erin Bode and the Themba Boys Choir at resources.lcms.org/erin-bode.

Hear our previous interview with Erin and President Harrison at kfuo.org/2025/12/18/coffee-hour-121825-erin-bode-and-the-themba-girls.

Music in this episode from Sounds of Mercy, Erin Bode, the Themba Boys’ Choir and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We take a tour of the Great Lakes region for today's conversation, recorded at the LCMS Synodical Convention. The Rev. Eric Skovgaard (Great Lakes Region 6th Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serving at Elm Grove Lutheran Church, Elm Grove, WI) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing and school journey, how he became a pastor and how his first career influenced his pastoral formation, how he’s served the church over the years, the Great Lakes region of the LCMS, his duties as 6th Vice President, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How is a podcast in Puerto Rico reaching Spanish-speaking people seeking Christianity? The Rev. Sergio Maita (LCMS missionary serving in Puerto Rico) joins Andy and Sarah at the LCMS Synodical Convention to talk about his path to becoming a pastor and missionary, the community where he serves today, how he has been able to connect the community to Word and Sacrament Ministry, how the podcast "Cristo en el Centro" began, the topics they've discussed and the audiences they're reaching, and how video podcasting is a unique way to reach new Spanish-speaking Christians. Find Cristo en el Centro at youtube.com/@cristoenelcentro and learn more about Rev. Maita's work at lcms.org/Sergio.maita.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Children and youth are serving with the Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways project at the LCMS Convention, and we talk with them in this episode. Students Zoe, Ginny, JT, Matthew, and Luke who are serving with the choir, altar guild or acolytes join Andy to talk about what they like about serving at the convention, how they prepared for their work, and the people they've met. In the second half of the episode, Olivia Gaschler (Project Coordinator for Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways, LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy to talk about what this project is, how the children are serving at the LCMS Convention, the benefits of investing in opportunities for children to learn and serve, and what she's learned in working with the children at the convention.

Read more about this project at reporter.lcms.org/2026/behind-the-scenes-with-sing-pray-and-keep-his-ways-at-convention, and learn more about the LCMS Convention at lcms.org/convention.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How does someone journey from a career in mechanical engineering to enrolling in seminary? Zachary Jacob (former mechanical engineer, now first year seminarian at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his path to Lutheranism, his conviction about and passion for being a faithful Christian husband and father, his career in mechanical engineering and what led to his decision to apply to seminary, the role his wife's continual support has played in this journey, his experiences so far at seminary, and his encouragement to others who might be considering seminary.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What does sacred music theological education in a mission setting look and sound like? Rev. Brian Hamer (US Navy Chaplain, author of the monthly column “The Lifted Voice” for whatdoesthismean.org) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his recent theological education mission trip to Kenya with Lutheran Heritage Foundation. He shares about what led up to this trip, what sacred music education means, the hymns he was able to teach during his time in Kenya, adapting to language barriers and cultural considerations, and the challenges and blessings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya. Read more from Chaplain Hamer at whatdoesthismean.org/lifted-voice--brian-hamer.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head to Ohio for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Kevin Wilson (President, Ohio District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and school journey, how he became a pastor and how his previous interests help him in this vocation, how he's served the church over the years, what makes Ohio a unique place, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What is the Litany and why is it important in the life of the Church? The Rev. Sean Daenzer (Director of Worship for the LCMS and International Center Chaplain) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what the Litany is, where it came from in our church history, the format and flow of the prayers, why it seems to rise up at different parts of the church year, how it's different from other prayers, and how we can incorporate it into our prayer life.

This episode originally aired on February 24, 2026.

Photo credit: LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How can hands-on training in the trades along with Christ-centered formation form people in vocations to serve in their communities? Jenny Jaroneski (CrossPointe Launch and Outreach Coordinator, LCMS Michigan District, Sterling Heights, MI) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why CrossPointe Center for the Trades is personally important to her, where the idea for this partnership with the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA) came from, why this partnership is important to the Michigan District, what makes CrossPointe different from other vocational/trade schools, and how students will learn theology alongside learning a trade. Learn more, including registration information, at michigandistrict.org/crosspointe and crosspointetrades.org.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How do principals serve in Northern Illinois? Kevin Becker (Principal of Immanuel Lutheran School in East Dundee, Illinois) and Kate Thoelke (Principal of St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Brookfield, Illinois) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their paths to becoming church workers, some of the key figures who encouraged their formation, the schools each of them serve in today and their paths to their current vocations, why it's important to each of them to invest in Lutheran education, and how Lutheran teachers and principals can cultivate a culture of church work formation and recruitment in our Lutheran schools.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What are the benefits of a mission education experience for young adults? Dr. Shanna Opfer (Janet Cramer Endowed Professor of Education, Elementary Education Director, Chair of the Education Department at Concordia University, Nebraska), DCE Anne Gonzalez (Manager of Lay Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission), Caylen McCoy (Pre-Seminary student at Concordia University, Nebraska, entering his junior year), and Rachel Ada (recent Concordia University, Nebraska, graduate and new teacher Hope Lutheran School, Shawnee, KS) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their recent mission education experience with LCMS Missionaries serving in Tanzania. They discuss why this type of opportunity was important for Dr. Opfer to offer students, everyone's experiences on the field and how they compared with what they expected, how the mission education experienced influenced their thoughts about mission work, how this trip will impact their future vocations, and their encouragement for others considering mission education experiences. Visit servenow.lcms.org for ongoing mission education opportunities.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head out to South Dakota for today’s conversation! The Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher (President, South Dakota District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing in South Dakota and his path to seminary education, where he has served along the way, what it's like to serve so close to where he was raised, what he’s learned from his service to the church, what makes South Dakota a unique place, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How can Lutherans faithfully respond to an increasingly pagan society? The Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about a recent insightful visit to his local post office and what he witnessed there. He shares what this experience brought to light for him regarding America's spiritual condition, how atheism and spirituality play a role in American culture, what syncretism is and why it's problematic, and how Lutherans can faithfully respond to an increasingly pagan society.

Read about Pastor Richard's experience at facebook.com/share/p/15e6sxnrpH and find more from Pastor Richard at pastormattrichard.com/2025/06/let-world-rage-christ-is-enough.html.

This episode originally aired on June 19, 2025.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Article VII of the Formula of Concord confesses the biblical doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, distinguishing it from the teachings of the Zwinglians (“openly crass Sacramentarians”) and the Calvinists (“crafty Sacramentarians”). The former rejected the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament, while the latter taught a “spiritual” presence of Christ in the Supper, received by faith (not by oral eating).

The Formula of Concord frames the debate this way: “In the Holy Supper, are the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (a) truly and essentially present, (b) distributed with the bread and wine, and (c) received with the mouth by all those who use this Sacrament — whether they are worthy or unworthy, godly or ungodly, believing or unbelieving? Are they received by the believing for consolation and life, but by the unbelieving for judgment? The Sacramentarians say No. We say Yes” (FC Ep VII 2). This study will lead us to the Scriptures that support the position of the FC, which simply confesses the truth of God’s Word.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the second “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article VII: The Lord’s Supper” on Article VII in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!

This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep VII on the Lord’s Supper (p. 487–491) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, CPH 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.

Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article VII at kfuo.org/2025/06/02/coffee-hour-060225-third-use-of-the-law-the-lords-supper-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.

Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We're sharing an inspiring story of a future seminarian! Robert Finch (2026 graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul), Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology, Director of the Center for Biblical Studies, and Director of the Pre-Seminary Program at Concordia University St. Paul), Dr. Joshua Hollmann (Professor of Religion and Theology at Concordia University St. Paul), and the Rev. Matt Wietfeldt (Assistant Vice President of Admissions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN) join Andy for our Set Apart to Serve conversation to talk about Robert's story, who influenced him to consider studying for pastoral ministry, where he is in his journey now, and what's next for him. Dr. Lessing, Dr. Hollmann, and Rev. Wietfeldt share their stories of being a part of Robert's formation, Robert's devotional book, and their hopes for Robert's future.

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, visitlcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

Higher Things is wrapping up two weeks of conferences in St. Louis and heading to Ft. Collins, Colorado for the last conference of the summer. Today we get to catch up with the executive leadership of Higher Things and hear what youth are learning in this summer’s conferences, as well as what’s on deck for the fall and next year.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

We head out to Montana for today’s conversation! The Rev. Ryan Wendt (President, Montana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Billings, MT) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his childhood and path to seminary education, where he has served along the way, what he's learned from his service to the church, interesting facts about Montana and what makes it a unique place, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

What is the place of art in the Christian life? Dr. Kristen Einertson (pastor’s wife, mother, co-founder of All the Household, and columnist for The Lutheran Witness: "Life in the Church Year") joins Andy and Sarah to discuss the role art and images have historically played in the Church, the debate surrounding the use of art and images in the Church, what Christian art can do for us as believers, some practical ways that we might incorporate the gift of Christian artwork in our daily lives, and questions to take into consideration when selecting art for our homes and churches.

Read more in the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org/2026/art-the-christian-life and on All the Household at allthehousehold.com/images-within-lutheran-liturgical-living.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.

How did Herman Sasse's time in Australia influence the church there? The Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison (President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins us for Part Three of a three-part series on the life and work of pastor, theologian, and author Hermann Sasse to talk about Karl Barth's influence on Sasse’s theology, Sasse's time in Australia, Sasse's influence on the American church in the 50s and 60s, and how Sasse's work has influenced Pastor Harrison.

Find Rev. John T. Pless's book Lutheran Confessor: Herman Sasse on the Essentials of the Faith at cph.org/lutheran-confessor-hermann-sasse-on-the-essentials-of-the-faith.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at:listener@kfuo.org.