The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

KFUO Radio - LCMS
KFUO Radio - LCMS
  • 4.8 (36)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Daily

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. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

  1. 1d ago

    Set Apart to Serve: First Year Church Work at Concordia Chicago

    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, 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.

  2. 2d ago

    Friends for Life Crossover, Episode 4: Hard Questions About Loving Our Neighbors

    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: Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: amazon.com/dp/0684815001 Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play by Joel Biermann: cph.org/day-7-for-work-rest-or-play The Quiet Ambition by Ryan Tinetti: ivpress.com/the-quiet-ambition {The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge} Book Club Wrap Up: The Quiet Ambition - kfuo.org/2026/07/24/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-356-book-club-wrap-up-the-quiet-ambition {The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge} Kitchen Table Talk: The Quiet Ambition with Dr. Ryan Tinetti (Book Club Bonus!) - kfuo.org/2026/08/07/lutheran-ladies-lounge-episode-358-kitchen-table-talk-the-quiet-ambition-with-dr-ryan-tinetti-book-club-bonus 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.

  3. 3d ago

    Meet the Council of Presidents: Rev. Robert Beinke

    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.

  4. 4d ago

    Stories in Global Lutheranism: Mission Province in Sweden

    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.

  5. 4d ago

    Stories in Global Lutheranism: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay

    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.

  6. 5d ago

    Support Lutheran Education at Brew in the Lou!

    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.

  7. Oct 2

    Following the Formula, Article X: Church Practices — LW Searching Scripture, October 2026

    “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.

  8. Oct 1

    Friends for Life Crossover, Episode 3: Philosophy and Loving Our Neighbors

    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: A recent Roman Catholic Note on human beings and AI: vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html Dr. Menuge's paper, “Powers of the Soul Beyond AI”: mdpi.com/2077-1444/17/1/8 A collection on mind-brain relationships Dr. Menuge coedited, "Minding the Brain": amazon.com/dp/163712029X?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback "AI, Vocation, and Human Dignity" by Dr. Angus Menuge: AI Vocation and Human Dignity 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.

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4.8
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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. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

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