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Dr. Daniel Zager, retired from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) in Rochester, New York, and author of Lutheran Music and Meaning from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his 20 years at Eastman and organization of the Sibley Music Library, what gives Lutheran music meaning, the relationship between text and melody, how music serves people during worship services, how music was instrumental during the Reformation, and how we can actively listen to music. Find Dr. Zager's book at cph.org/lutheran-music-and-meaning.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, and Rev. Dr. Richard Marrs, Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, join Andy and Sarah as we wrap up our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" for part one of the promised conversation about the differences in men and women as it relates to mental health and emotions. They discuss their own experiences in counseling both men and women, disclaimers and caveats we have to acknowledge when we talk about the differences between men and women, and how generalizations can be problematic as we discuss this topic. Stay tuned next week for part two of this conversation. Find Dr. Marr's Making Christian Counseling More Christ Centered at Amazon.com and westbowpress.com. Find Deaconess Heidi's Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday. View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Dr. Tom Egger, president Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and professor of Exegetical Theology, joins Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his path to becoming a church worker, how relationships made a difference in his vocational path and also in the lives of the students at Concordia Seminary, how residential pastoral formation is a blessing to the Church, opportunities for pastoral and diaconal formation at Concordia Seminary, and his encouragement to those people who are considering church work vocations. Learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu. Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Dr. Erik Ankerberg, President of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his path into church work in higher education, what he loves about poetry and literature, why he is passionate about Lutheran higher education, what CUWAA is doing to raise up a generation of faithful Lutherans to serve in various vocations, and what the future holds for CUWAA. Learn more at cuw.edu and cuaa.edu.

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 7 in our series on The English Reformation. In this episode, hear the continuation of the story of Queen Mary, an introduction to Queen Elizabeth, and the Elizabethan Settlement. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/the-english-reformation. Find "The Reformation" by Dr. MacKenzie at cph.org/the-reformation and Amazon.com.

Nick Palmer, Daniel Bueckman, and Joanna Wescoatt from the Concordia Seminary St Louis community and short-term volunteers in the Dominican Republic, along with Erin Mackenzie, serving the Lord in Latin American and the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how they were connected to this volunteer opportunity, what they knew about the Dominican Republic and how they prepared for this trip, how they served while they were in the Dominican Republic, and what they learned about themselves and the people they served alongside. Find your opportunity to serve on a short-term mission trip at servenow.lcms.org.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Felt Compassion, including what makes "felt compassion" different from our usual idea of compassion, how felt compassion is different from "love" or "kindness" or "comfort," the characteristics of felt compassion, and where we see felt compassion in Scripture. Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday. View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Rev. John Zimmerman — pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scranton, PA, and Marli Ockander — teacher at Sioux Falls Lutheran School in Sioux Falls, SD, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their paths to becoming church workers, how they overcame barriers in their paths, how their church and school became part of the Set Apart to Serve Pilot Program, the goals they have for church worker recruitment, and challenges they've encountered when talking with young people about church work. Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Sam Borgwardt — business manager for the Asia region with LCMS International Mission, and Blake Warren — Director of Business Operations with LCMS International Mission and former business manager in the Latin America & the Caribbean region, join Andy and Sarah to talk about their journeys to the mission field, how business managers serve on the mission field, how this role of a business manager is critical to the work of other missionaries, and the current opportunities to serve with LCMS International Mission as a business manager. Learn more and apply for these positions at lcms.org/serve/careers/job-postings, and find all missionary opportunities at servenow.lcms.org.

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 6 in our series on The English Reformation. In this episode, hear about the prayer books of the Church of England, what happened with King Edward died, Lady Jane as the "9 Days Queen," the reign of Catholic Queen Mary, the introduction of the Geneva Bible, and the Martrydom of Protestants in England. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/the-english-reformation. Find "The Reformation" by Dr. MacKenzie at cph.org/the-reformation and Amazon.com.

Ed Riojas — liturgical artist, Jessie Bell — homeschool mom and artist at Concordia Collective, and Rev. Sean Daenzer — director of worship for the LCMS, join Sarah and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about the new Easter Vigil coloring book available from LCMS Worship, including why Easter Vigil is a unique service in the church year and Holy Week, ways families can connect to the story of salvation during this service, and how this resource can be used in the home and in church. Find the Coloring Book at resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/easter-vigil-childrens-coloring-book. Find Ed's work at edriojasartist.com. Find Jessie's work through Concordia Collective at concordiacollective.shop, facebook.com/concordiacollective, and instagram.com/concordiacollective.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Perplexity, including how perplexity is different from confusion, how the experience of relationship helps us handle perplexity, what we learn from Scripture about perplexity, and why perplexity is difficult for today’s culture. Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday. View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Deaconess Raquel Rojas — Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bronx, New York, and Rev. Jonathan Walla — Bethel Lutheran Church/Martin Luther School in Bismarck, North Dakota, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how they became church workers, the people and communities their churches serve, how they became part of the Set Apart to Serve Pilot Program, how they think this initiative is going to positively impact their communities, and what they're looking forward to as part of this initiative. Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve. Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations. Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS: 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers. 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers. 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation. To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the March 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Encouragement in Christ" on Philippians 1:27-2:2. This year, "Searching Scripture" will study the book of Philippians, so stay tuned each month for a new Bible study. Follow along 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. Philippians 1:27-2:2 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Christ's Example of Humility 2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Footnotes Philippians 1:27 Greek Only behave as citizens worthy English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie, Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins Andy and Sarah for Episode 5 in our series on The English Reformation. In this episode, hear about more characters in the story including Thomas Howard, Stephen Gardiner, Jane Seymour, Edward VI. Also hear the struggle between the the Protestant faction and the Catholic faction in the English Reformation, whether Catholic doctrines and practices will be kept in the Church of England, King Edward's Protestant reforms in the Church of England, and Tomas Cranmer's contributions. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/the-english-reformation. Find "The Reformation" by Dr. MacKenzie at cph.org/the-reformation and Amazon.com.

Dave Anderson, Founder of Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat in Wickenburg, Arizona, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about who Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat serves, the need for this type of counseling and respite care for church workers, what is learned and experienced at retreats, and how to join in on the upcoming retreats. Learn more and register at shepherdscanyonretreat.org.

Rev. Kevin Robson — Chief Mission Officer of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and Mark Hofman — Executive Director of LCMS Mission Advancement, join Andy and Sarah to talk about the National Offering, how past National Offerings have served the mission of the LCMS, the purpose of the 2023-2026 LCMS National Offering, and how congregations can prepare for and participate in the LCMS National Offering. Learn more at lcms.org/convention/national/offering.

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann, LCSW, MSW, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on "Emotions and the Gospel" to talk about Contempt, including the forms of contempt we may experience in this life, what contempt might feel like, what happens when it's left unchecked, how it's different from other emotions, and the relationship of contempt to honor. Find your copy of Emotions and the Gospel: Created for Connection at books.cph.org/emotions-and-the-gospel. Listen to all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/emotions-and-the-gospel. Hear Mental Health Mondays each Monday at 9am CT, or listen to all episodes at kfuo.org/tag/mental-health-monday. View Deaconess Heidi's Mental Health Playlist on Youtube, listen to the Life in Relationship Podcast, and find all of her writings and resources at heidigoehmann.com.

Ruth Meyer — author of Our Faith From A to Z, and the Sola Series from Concordia Publishing House (ruthmeyerbooks.com/books), Sarah Baughman — author of A Flame in the Dark from Concordia Publishing House (sarahbaughman.org), Pastor Chris Kennedy — author of Jesus Said What?, Grace Under Pressure, and Equipped from Concordia Publishing House (pastorchriskennedy.com/books), and Donna Snow — author of several books from Concordia Publishing House including Chosen, Perseverance, Forgiveness, and the forthcoming book Meant for Good, a study of Joseph (artesianministries.org/books), join Andy and Sarah live from the Texas Lutheran Writers Round Up to talk about how they became authors, how their writing intersects their other vocations, a practice they've found helpful for successful writing, how their reading influences their writing, and what they're working on right now. Find all of their books at cph.org.

Mike Behr, Executive Director of LCMS Communications, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his journey into this role at the LCMS International Center, what LCMS Communications does on a daily basis (hint: it's a lot!), how LCMS Communications serves the Church at large, and what he's looking forward to in this new role.