Best FIGGI Life Podcasts (2025)

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Sharing Jesus' Love in Remote Canada with LAMP Ministries 17:29

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9h ago17:29

17:29

How does LAMP bring Jesus' love to remote places in Canada? The Rev. Dr. Steven D. Schave (LAMP Executive Director) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how the Lord is working in the remote places of North America through LAMP, the outcome of the 55 for 55 Initiative, what led to the initiative's success, the challenges they overcame during this ini…

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Church of the Week: St. Paul's Lutheran in Des Peres, MO 10:52

9h ago10:52

10:52

How does St. Paul's Lutheran in Des Peres, MO celebrate Christmas? Matthew Gerhardt (Kantor, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School, Des Peres, MO) joins Andy and Sarah to share about St. Paul's as our Church of the Week, including a history of the tradition of Lessons and Carols, how Lessons and Carols became a part of the seasonal traditions at St…

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Church Worker Formation at Concordia University St. Paul 27:36

4h ago27:36

27:36

How are church work students formed at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP)? The Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich (President of Concordia University, St. Paul) and Breana Winnes (Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions for Concordia University, St. Paul) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what they love about what th…

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Healing After Birth Trauma: What Every Mother Needs to Know with Teela Tomassetti 50:12

15h ago50:12

50:12

In this deeply validating and eye-opening episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with psychologist and birth trauma specialist Teela Tomassetti, founder of the Reproductive and Perinatal Trauma Center in Canada. Together, they bring long-overdue attention to an experience far more common than most people realize: birth trauma, which affects up to 45 …

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Other Factions & Sects in the Formula of Concord 25:36

5d ago25:36

25:36

What do the Formula of Concord and Scripture have to say about other factions and sects? 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 other factions and se…

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"Son of David, Son of God" LW Searching Scripture, December 2025: Isaiah 9 & 11 28:21

1d ago28:21

28:21

As our year of focusing on the Old Testament comes to a close, it is fitting that we conclude with texts from the Messiah’s first “biographer,” the prophet Isaiah, whose career spanned 740–680 B.C. Thanks to the Lutheran composer Handel, whose “Messiah” is especially popular around Christmas and Easter, many of Isaiah’s prophecies are quite familia…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 7: Not Everything Is Beautiful (Aesthetics) 20:02

3d ago20:02

20:02

What is beauty? What is art? The Rev. Dr. Matthew Rosebrock (Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lindenwood, IL) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 7 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about how the concepts of beauty and art intersect with our contemporary life, the discipline of philosophy that considers beauty and art, some worldly assum…

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Christmas with Concordia University Chicago 13:54

4d ago13:54

13:54

What are the beloved Christmas traditions that make Concordia University Chicago unique, and how can you participate in them? Dr. Charles Brown (Professor of Music, Arts Division Chair, Music Program Leader for Concordia University Chicago) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming special music events at Concordia University Chicago, includi…

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Church of the Week: Holy Cross Lutheran, O'Fallon, MO 15:28

4d ago15:28

15:28

How do the people of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in O’Fallon, Missouri serve the community around them? The Rev. Jason Kohm (Associate Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, MO) and Charity Smith, DCE (Director of Christian Education, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, MO) join Andy and Sarah as our Church of the Week to talk about the com…

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Set Apart To Serve: Formation in Divine Service (Rebroadcast) 27:33

7d ago27:33

27:33

How does the Divine Service form Christians and church workers? Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and LCMS International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how the Lord guided him to become a pastor, how his love for church music and worship developed, who has most shaped his understandin…

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Figgy Pudding Crossover with The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge 47:23

8d ago47:23

47:23

“Bring us some Figgy Pudding!”Inspired by the traditional Christmas carol, Andy Bates joins Sarah and Erin in the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge for a festive, fig-filled crossover episode all about the legendary dish everyone’s heard of (but few have ever actually tasted): Figgy Pudding, also known as Christmas Pudding.What is it made from? Is it secretl…

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Hope in the Wilderness, Ep. 4: Balaam, Balak, and Zelophehad’s Daughters 22:02

9d ago22:02

22:02

What do we learn about the people of Israel and God's promises to them in the last chapters of Numbers? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University, St. Pa…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 6: We Should Know Better (Ethics) 26:09

10d ago26:09

26:09

How do we know what is right and wrong? The Rev. Joe Cox (Director of Curriculum and Education at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 6 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about what ethics is and how ethics has been used throughout history, how humans have known right from wrong and how these id…

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Seminary Family Scholarships from LESA 11:34

11d ago11:34

11:34

How does the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA) support Seminary families with school-age children? Libby Gutberlet (Chief Executive Officer of the Lutheran Elementary School Association, St. Louis, MO) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Concordia Seminary Family Student Scholarship Fund, the challenges families face when moving to S…

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Peace Lutheran in St. Louis: Our Church of the Week! 12:46

11d ago12:46

12:46

What's happening this Advent and Christmas season at Peace Lutheran Church? The Rev. Robert Brown (Associate Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO) joins Andy and Sarah on the show as they celebrate Peace as our Church of the Week! They talk about all the exciting things happening at Peace this season, including Peace's Thanksgiving servic…

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Set Apart to Serve: Church Worker Formation at Concordia Wisconsin 25:12

18d ago25:12

25:12

How are students at Concordia University Wisconsin formed into church workers? Dr. Erik Ankerberg (President of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor) and Jeff Frosch (LCMS Admission Counselor at Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor) joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about why they love working for Concor…

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Panic-Proofing the Highly Sensitive Mind: Calming Anxiety For Good with Dr. Nicole Cain 51:53

15d ago51:53

51:53

In this deeply grounding and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with clinical psychologist, naturopathic physician, and author Dr. Nicole Cain, whose new book Panic Proof is helping thousands reframe anxiety as a source of wisdom rather than a flaw. Together, they explore the emotional world of highly sensitive people, why anxiet…

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Hope in the Wilderness, Ep. 3: Pointing to Christ 24:07

15d ago24:07

24:07

How does Numbers point us to Christ, our conqueror and redeemer? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 3 …

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Hope in the Wilderness, Ep. 2: Pillars of Fire and Cloud 25:46

16d ago25:46

25:46

What are the pillars of fire and cloud, and what is the Israelites' attitude in the wilderness? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul) join…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 5: All Things Are Not Equal (Axiology) 22:13

17d ago22:13

22:13

How do we determine what is important? The Rev. Dr. Jon Furgeson (Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 5 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about what axiology is and why it's important, how we even know what is important, how humans determine their values, how our approach to assigni…

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Medical and Theological Perspectives on IVF 30:23

18d ago30:23

30:23

How can we view the medical and theological questions of IVF through the lens of Scripture? Dr. Donna Harrison (Director of Research, American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs) and the Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer (Associate Professor of Theology and Bioethics, Concordia University Irvine) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what in vitro fertilization (…

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Set Apart to Serve: Church Worker Formation at Concordia University Chicago 27:04

25d ago27:04

27:04

How are church workers formed at Concordia University Chicago (CUC)? Dr. Russell Dawn (President of Concordia University Chicago) and Kyle Thoms (Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment at Concordia University Chicago) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about why they love being at CUC, the church work progr…

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Resilience Fatigue: When Strength Starts to Hurt with Dr. Marline C. Duroseau 46:09

22d ago46:09

46:09

What happens when “being strong” starts to hurt? In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with Dr. Marline C. Duroseau, resilience expert, author, TEDx speaker, and leadership executive, to explore a powerful and often overlooked concept: resilience fatigue. Together, they unpack how resilience can sometimes be weaponized whe…

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Hope in the Wilderness, Ep. 1: The In-Between 28:34

22d ago28:34

28:34

How does the theme of “in between” that appears in Numbers relate to our present-day lives? The Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing (Professor of Theology & Ministry, Paul Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, Director of the Pre-Seminary Program, and Director of The Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul) joins An…

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Finding Comfort in Reading Revelation 24:51

23d ago24:51

24:51

What comfort can believers find in the book of Revelation? The Rev. David Fleming (Associate Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI, and Executive Director for Spiritual Care with Doxology: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why someone might invest time in reading the…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 4: We Are More Than Animals (Anthropology) 23:37

24d ago23:37

23:37

What is a human being, and why do we exist? The Rev. Dr. Pete Jurchen (Assistant Professor of Lutheran Education and Faith Formation at Concordia University, Nebraska) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 4 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about what anthropology is and why he finds it interesting, some common assumptions in the secular v…

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Supporting Families Through Adoption 23:30

25d ago23:30

23:30

How does Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin (LCFS) support families through adoption programs? Carol Flanary, MS, LPC (CEO of Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin) joins Andy and Sarah during National Adoption Month to talk about the history of LCFS of Wisconsin, what brought them to the Youth Gathering over the su…

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Set Apart to Serve: Church Worker Formation at Concordia University, Nebraska 26:50

28d ago26:50

26:50

What makes church worker formation programs at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE) unique for students? Dr. Bernard Bull (President of Concordia University, Nebraska) joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how long he has served at CUNE and what he enjoys most about his role, the church work programs available at CUN…

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Why Cant We Just Get Along? with Greg Singleton 46:34

29d ago46:34

46:34

Why is it so hard to have a calm, productive conversation these days? In this insightful episode, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with communication strategist and TEDx speaker Greg Singleton to unpack why meaningful dialogue has become such a challenge and how we can bridge the growing divide in our relationships, communities, and workplaces. Greg sha…

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It's the 3rd Annual Pie Social! 31:06

29d ago31:06

31:06

It's the 3rd Annual KFUO Radio Pie Social! The Rev. Dr. Matthew Clark (Senior Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO; Co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio; Card Carrying Member of The American Pie Council) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about pie! They eat varieties of pie and discuss favorite pie memories, favorite pie re…

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“The New Heavens and New Earth” LW Searching Scripture, November 2025: Isaiah 65-66 28:38

30d ago28:38

28:38

November brings us to the end of another church year, which focuses our attention on the last things, on death and resurrection, on heaven and hell. We confess in the creeds, “I believe in … the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting”; “I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” It is remarkable that the…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 3: It All Came from Somewhere (Ontology) 24:05

1M ago24:05

24:05

How do we know that things exist? The Rev. Dr. Mark Wood (Pastor of Shepherd of the Canyon Lutheran Church in Gold Canyon, AZ, former managing director of Church Planting, Renewal and Support for the LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 3 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about how we know that things exist…

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Election in the Formula of Concord 24:48

1M ago24:48

24:48

What do the Formula of Concord and Scripture have to say about election? 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 election that are addressed in Novemb…

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Set Apart to Serve: Church Work Programs at Concordia University Irvine 27:10

1M ago27:10

27:10

What's it like to be a student in a church work program at Concordia University Irvine? The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ruehs (Assistant Dean of Christ College at Concordia University Irvine) and Carrie Donohoe (Director of LCMS Recruitment, Christ College Program Coordinator, and Assistant Director of LCMS Placement at Concordia University Irvine) join Andy…

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Breaking Free from Perfectionism: How to Let Go and Thrive with Amna Shabbir 50:32

1M ago50:32

50:32

In this heartfelt episode of The Sensitivity Doctor Podcast, Dr. Amelia Kelley is joined by physician and author Dr. Amna Shabbir for an honest and empowering conversation about perfectionism, what fuels it, how it shows up, and how to finally release its grip. Drawing from her personal journey through burnout, postpartum depression, and self-criti…

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Disability, the Resurrection Body, and Flannery O'Connor 23:23

1M ago23:23

23:23

What do we learn about disability and the resurrection body from the works of Flannery O'Connor? The Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer (Associate Professor of Theology and Bioethics at Concordia University Irvine and author of "Disability and the Resurrection Body in Light of the Works of Flannery O'Connor" in the Concordia Theological Quarterly) joins An…

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Serving as a Regional Business Manager in Eurasia 24:50

1M ago24:50

24:50

What does it look like to step into the role of Regional Business Manager in Eurasia? Sean McHugh (LCMS Regional Business Manager for Eurasia) along with his wife Hanna, and Anne Gonzalez (Manager, Lay Missionary Recruitment, LCMS Office of International Mission) join Andy and Sarah to share Sean and Hannah’s stories of coming to Lutheranism, how t…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 2: The Truth Is Greater Than Ourselves (Epistemology) 27:35

1M ago27:35

27:35

What is truth, and how can we know it? The Rev. Dr. James Pierce (pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church in Pasco, WA, and Messiah Lutheran Church in Basin City, WA) joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 2 of our “Prepared with a Reason” series to talk about how we define truth and how we know it's true, whether talking about truth is too academic for real li…

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YouthLead Training Opportunities 24:46

1M ago24:46

24:46

What makes leadership training for youth in the church so valuable? Julianna Schults, DCE and Program Manager of Resources and Leadership for LCMS Youth Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what happens during YouthLead training, why it’s important, and how empowering youth equips them to lead in their communities. She also shares details a…

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Set Apart to Serve: Brothers in CUNE Church Work Programs 25:17

2M ago25:17

25:17

How did two brothers both end up in church work programs at Concordia University, Nebraska? Daniel Ascher (sophomore at CUNE in Secondary Education, Science) and Luke Ascher (freshman at CUNE in Elementary Education) join Andy and Sarah to continue our conversation with the Ascher siblings! The brothers share where they grew up and when they began …

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What We Are Getting All Wrong About Masculinity With Jacob Tobia 1:02:28

1M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down with author, activist, and artist Jacob Tobia to challenge everything we think we know about masculinity. Jacob, known for their fearless writing and advocacy, dives into the myths that keep men trapped in cycles of silence, loneliness, and pain, and how both feminism and patriarch…

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Studying the Nicene Creed 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

How can we study the Nicene Creed for its historical and theological significance? The Rev. Timothy J. Winterstein (pastor of University Lutheran Church on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and author of Worshiped & Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed from CPH) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what creeds are and what w…

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Serving the Lord in Asia and Germany 24:28

2M ago24:28

24:28

What does deaconess service look like in Asia and Germany? Deaconess Sandra Rhein (serving the Lord in Asia as a Sacred Music Educator) and Deaconess Kim Bueltmann (serving the Lord in Germany as a missionary in Leipzig and Chemnitz) join Andy and Sarah to talk about their recent projects and some mission work highlights, how deaconesses are percei…

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Prepared with a Reason, Ep. 1: Worldview Conversations in the Public Square 26:04

2M ago26:04

26:04

Why should and how can adults and young adults be prepared to enter challenging conversations in the public square? The Rev. Dr. Mark Wood (Pastor of Shepherd of the Canyon Lutheran Church in Gold Canyon, AZ, former managing director of Church Planting, Renewal and Support for the LCMS Office of National Mission) and Dr. Lisa Clark (Senior Editor, …

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Lutheran Early Response Team Training 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

How are Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) trained? The Rev. Michael Meyer (Director of Training, LCMS Disaster Response and Managing Director, LCMS Office of National Mission), Kris Schuldt (LERT Training Committee, District Disaster Response Coordinator, LCMS Missouri District), Bryce Cramer (LERT Training Committee, Chainsaw trainer), and the …

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Set Apart to Serve: Pastoral Ministry as a Second Career 21:50

2M ago21:50

21:50

What are the joys and challenges of becoming a second-career pastor? Rev. Don Stein (pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, IL) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the congregation he serves, his previous career working for Congress in Washington, D.C., what led him to pursue pastoral ministry, how his experiences in Washington, D.C. gave …

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How to Finally Feel Safe in Your Relationships with Jessica Baum 43:51

2M ago43:51

43:51

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amelia Kelley welcomes back psychotherapist and author Jessica Baum to discuss her newest book, Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building Secure Relationships. Jessica, known for her best-selling book Anxiously Attached, dives deeper into attachment theory, exploring how our early experiences shape our nervou…

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DCE Formation at Concordia University Chicago 23:36

2M ago23:36

23:36

How are Directors of Christian Education formed at Concordia University Chicago? Dr. Debbie Arfsten (Professor of Christian Education and DCE Program Director at Concordia University Chicago), along with DCE students Nathaniel, Shanell, Joey, Rachel and Caleb, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how the students learned about the DCE role in Lutheran…

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Advent and Christmas with CPH 13:17

2M ago13:17

13:17

Are you looking for great resources for Advent and Christmas at church and at home? Elizabeth Pittman (Director of Public Relations for Concordia Publishing House & Concordia Gospel Outreach) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the resources available from CPH for Advent and Christmas this year, including, "Every Heart Prepare - Preaching, Worship, …

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Worship Anew, Now on KFUO Radio! 12:46

2M ago12:46

12:46

How does Worship Anew help people hear God's Word? Matthew Leighty (Executive Director with Worship Anew) and Thomas Moll (Director of Content and Innovation with Worship Anew) join Andy and Sarah to talk about Worship Anew's new partnership with KFUO Radio, how listeners can interact with Worship Anew, the resources and care packages available fro…