The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What's it like to graduate from a Concordia University? The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel (Vice President, Concordia University System) join Andy to talk about Graduation 2025, including what happens at graduation ceremonies around the Concordia University System, other activities surrounding graduation, and the outlook for future church workers and others heading towards careers and the workforce. Learn more about the Concordia University System at cus.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.

What is life like as an Early Childhood Educator in a Lutheran School? Gretchen Gosch (1st grade teacher at Unity Ridge Lutheran School in Denison, IA), Heather Nitzel (2nd Grade teacher at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School in Spencer, IA), and Chelsea Adams (Kindergarten teacher at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Des Moines, IA) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their journeys to becoming Lutheran teachers, what they love about teaching, and specifically, teaching in Lutheran schools, what motivates them in their vocations through the good and bad days, who encouraged them to pursue becoming a Lutheran educator, and how their schools form future church workers. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

It's a graduation celebration! Sarah Gulseth (Digital Media Manager, co-host of The Coffee Hour and The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Podcast) join Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about her journey to getting a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute, including how her career path has changed over the years, why she decided to go back to school, why she chose Concordia Irvine and this program in particular, what she's learned through her coursework, and how this knowledge has benefitted her and the entire KFUO team. Listen to Sarah’s study notes from her graduate courses on the "Sarah Goes to School" episodes of The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge podcast at kfuo.org/tag/sarah-goes-to-school and find more information on CUI's Organizational Leadership programs at the Townsend Institute at cui.edu/townsend/programs/masters/organizational-leadership. 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 Jesus say and show us about the true significance of the Sabbath? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode on chapter 2, they discuss why God chose to rest on Day 7 of creation, whether rest equals inactivity, what we learn about rest from God delighting in His creation, how the Third Commandment includes both our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationship with creatures, how Jesus is the Sabbath Incarnate, and the Sabbath rest to come. Find Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play at cph.org/day-7-for-work-rest-or-play. 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.

“Type” has to do with forms, shapes, patterns, images. People demonstrate “typical” behavior when they act in a similar pattern time and again. In typesetting, a block with a typographic character on it makes an image of that character on the page. Our first four Bible studies in this year’s series have focused on straightforward messianic prophecies, which abound in the Old Testament. However, Jesus and His church are prefigured in other ways in the Old Testament. This is known as typology — seeing an Old Testament person or event (a “type”) as a pattern for a New Testament one (the “antitype”). This sort of interpretation is employed by the New Testament, which shows us how it can be done responsibly (and not fancifully!). For example, Jesus says, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14–15). Here Jesus teaches about Himself and His work by pointing back to Numbers 21:4–9, with the bronze serpent that saved snakebitten Israelites (the type) corresponding to Jesus as One who was lifted up on the cross that we might look to Him in faith and be saved (the antitype). In this study, we will look at more typological connections between the Old Testament and New Testament. Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the May 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Isn’t That Typical?” on Typological Connections throughout Scripture. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Opening the Old Testament” and will walk through ways that the Old Testament witnesses to Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy and peace, delivered through the holy Christian church. Follow along every month and search Scripture with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Who were Increase and Cotton Mather, and what happened with the Salem Witch Trials? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 8, we learn about the influence of both Increase and Cotton Mather (including how they got their names), the religious context in Salem, and what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. 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.

Donna Laughlin (Principal of Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in Batavia, IL) and Sue Domeier (Principal of Zion Lutheran Church & School in Marengo, IL) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their respective journeys into school administration, why they love being educators in Lutheran schools, and what encourages them to keep going every day. They also share what it looks like to build relationships in their unique contexts, including what a strong foundation of healthy relationships allows them to accomplish. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What does Scripture tell us about Law & Gospel? The Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District and host of KFUO Radio’s Concord Matters, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Formula of Concord reading plan he created for 2025, including the questions concerning Law and Gospel that are addressed in this month’s readings. Why is Law and the Gospel an article in the Formula? What isn’t the Gospel? What is Gospel Reductionism? What are some take aways to keep in mind when reading Law & Gospel this month? Why is proper understanding of Law and Gospel important in “soul care”? Find the full reading plan from The Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org/2024/reading-plan, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord. May | Law & Gospel Week 1: Ep V 1 (p.484) SA III, Article 2 (p.271-272) Week 2: Ep V 2-10 (p.484-485) SA III, article 4 (p.278) Week 3: SD V (p.552-557) Week 4: Ep V 11 (p.485) Links mentioned in this episode: Confessional Subscription: What is Quia? Confessional Subscription: Why is a Quia Subscription Still Vital for the Church Today? Confessional Subscription in the ELCA: Past & Present Confessional Subscription in the AFLC 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 Sabbath teach us about who we are—and what we're made for? The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology and author of Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for a series on what Sabbath means for us. In this episode, covering the introduction and chapter 1, they discuss why Dr. Biermann chose to write this book, why it matters that we understand what “Sabbath” means, the relationship between person and purpose (telos), Luther’s context for writing the explanation to the Third Commandment, the fundamental principle for understanding both the commandment and the Sabbath, and how the Sabbath was built into the very rhythm of creation. Find Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play at cph.org/day-7-for-work-rest-or-play. 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 a prelude, and why does it happen (or not happen) before a church service? Dr. Mark Bender (retired Minister of Music from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO), Phillip Magness (Cantor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO) and Cheryl Magness (Managing Editor of Reporter with LCMS Communications and International Center chapel musician) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what a prelude is and why we have it, how a person in the pew can make good use of the prelude, the thought and preparation that goes into picking and playing the prelude, whether there are times when it is more suitable to not have a prelude, and helpful ways to appreciate this musical offering. 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 fracturing of Christianity in Old England affect how churches were founded in New England? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 7, we learn about changes occuring in Old England affecting New England's religious landscape, the fracturing of Christianity in Old England, the secret Roman Catholic King of England and resulting secret partnership with France, Increase and Cotton Mather in New England, and the Church in Massachusetts. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. 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 it like to serve as a Lutheran school principal? Sarah Popp (Principal of Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School in Spencer, IA) and Cory Emily (Principal of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School in Des Moines, IA) join Sarah to talk about how they serve as principals in their respective schools, who encouraged them to become educators, why they love their work and especially serving in a Lutheran school, what keeps them going even through challenging times, and how a Lutheran environment provides a unique space for them as administrators. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

What is unique about Concordia University Wisconsin's approach to engineering education? Subha Kumpaty, D.Min., Ph.D. (Engineering Program Chair for Concordia University Wisconsin) and Lucas Kearny (Concordia University Wisconsin Industrial Engineering Student) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the increase of interest in careers in engineering, how CUW is meeting the need for engineering education, the newest program in Mechanical Engineering, how students gain hands-on practical experience and real-world preparation in this program, and what Lucas has experienced so far in his program. Learn more about CUW Engineering programs, specifically the new Mechanical Engineering degree, at cuw.edu/academics/programs/mechanical-engineering-bachelors/index.html. 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 are international students brought into community with Lutherans around the world? Sue Hasselbring (Ministry Catalyst for International Student Ministry, Inc.) and Ken Bickel (Board President for International Student Ministry, Inc.) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why International Student Ministry exists and how they serve students, how each of them got involved, what occurs through each ISM site, and information about two upcoming events: In Depth Bible seminar and Equipping Conference. Learn more about International Student Ministry, Inc., and how to get involved at isminc.org or by contacting sue@isminc.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.

Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Sacred Music Educator in Asia for the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Easter hymns! Learn about Lutheran Service Book 458 "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands," Lutheran Service Book 476 "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow," and Lutheran Service Book 466 "Christ is Arisen, Alleluia." Read Deaconess Rhein's story and how to support her work at lcms.org/rhein. This episode originally aired on April 6, 2021. 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 happens when the church in New England grows and the Halfway Covenant is established? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 6, we learn about Roger Williams and Rhode Island, declension of the church, issues that start to arise in New England, and how the Halfway Covenant was established. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. 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.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the services of the Triduum during Holy Week, the origins of these services, what makes Tenebrae a unique service among the others, and the beautiful Responsories used in the Medieval church during these Tenebrae services. Listen to the Responsories by Carlo Gesualdo on YouTube. This episode originally aired on April 5, 2023. 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 theological education like at the new Lutheran seminary in Tanzania? Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne, serving the Lord in Tanzania, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journey to serving as missionaries in Tanzania, the community where they live, how both of them are involved in theological education at the new Lutheran seminary there, how their service in the Peace Corps prepared them for service on the mission field, and family life in Tanzania. Learn more about the Paynes and how to support their work at lcms.org/payne and facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094281640024. Reach out to Rev. Payne at bryan.payne@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.

What does theological education look like at the Lutheran seminary in Ethiopia? The Rev. Eric and Johanna Stinnett, serving the Lord in Ethiopia, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journey to being missionaries in Ethiopia, the community where they live, what teaching theology looks like at the seminary, the challenges and rewards of their work, and family life in Ethiopia. Learn more about the Stinnetts and how to support their work at lcms.org/stinnett and facebook.com/stinnettsinethiopia. Reach out to Rev. Stinnett at Eric.stinnett@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.

How was Rhode Island founded, and what was the religious landscape like in this colony? Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for our nine-episode series, “Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Founding of New England.” In episode 5, we learn about Anne Hutchinson and her religious beliefs, Thomas Hooker and his belief in Preparation, John Cotton and his religious beliefs, Roger Williams and his championing of religious liberty, and the founding of Rhode Island. Resources in this episode: All episodes in The Puritan Movement series Find more from Dr. MacKenzie here Recommended reading from Dr. MacKenzie includes: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken, English Puritanism by John Spurr, Reformation in England by Peter Marshall, Puritan Christianity in America: Religion and Life in 17th Century Massachusetts by John Carden, and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. 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.