The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

September 20, 2019: The first-ever Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge episode dropped. FIVE YEARS LATER ... September 20, 2024: The Ladies are celebrating a milestone birthday party! In this five-year anniversary episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel challenge each other in their own versions of vintage television game shows. Rachel quizzes Erin and Sarah in a Lounge-themed homage to “The Newlywed Game” —“The Co-Host Game!” Sarah then stumps Erin and Rachel to guess their “Password”-inspired clues on “Mystery Word.” Finally, Erin takes sweet, spicy, cabbage-flavored revenge with a series of wacky minigames a la “I Survived a Japanese Game Show.” Laugh along at home as the Ladies celebrate the show’s wooden anniversary in style. To revisit the show’s previous anniversary episodes, click below: One Year Anniversary Shoebox Extravaganza! - KFUO Radio Rachel's Trivia Challenge: One Year Anniversary! - KFUO Radio TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Great Moments in Lutheran Lady History. - KFUO Radio Three Year Anniversary: Arch Book Shenanigans! - KFUO Radio The Party Planning Committee: A Farewell Extravaganza - KFUO Radio Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

The Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann is the Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and author of several books, including Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play (new from CPH) and Wholly Citizens: God's Two Realms and Christian Engagement with the World (Fortress). In this lively and insightful Kitchen Table Talk conversation, Dr. Biermann answers timely questions on how to live, talk, think, and vote faithfully as a Christian citizen. Can Christians (in good conscience) opt out of the voting process? If we are to vote, how do our Lutheran doctrines of vocation and the “two realms” inform our civic engagement? What pitfalls should we try to avoid as we engage in party politics and the democratic process? Can Christians still vote their consciences when there don’t seem to be any truly good or godly choices on the ballot? To learn and think more about this topic, subscribe to Dr. Biermann’s YouTube channel, or check out his recommended follow-up read, Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis by James Davison Hunter. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

As Lutherans young and old head back to Sunday school this fall, Rachel wants to know: How much do you really know about the history of Sunday school? It’s a Trivia Challenge for the back-to-school season, full of eye-opening factoids about the roots of Christian education in the church. Where and when did the first “Sunday school” begin? What did pastors originally think about this ecclesial innovation? Why were Lutherans late — but enthusiastic — adopters of Sunday school for young people? And what on earth is a FLANNELGRAPH? Resources referenced include: The Historical Development of the Sunday School Movement in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (csl.edu) Christian Cyclopedia (lcms.org) The Christenlehre - Christian Culture (lutherclassical.org) Sunday school - Wikipedia Flannelgraph - Wikipedia Church and Families: The Latest Statistics on Church Attendance (churchleaders.com) Related episodes: {The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge} Adventures in Lutheranism(ish): Rally Day! - KFUO Radio {The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge} Sharathon 2024: The Confirmation Party Planning Committee! - KFUO Radio {The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge} Rachel's Trivia Challenge: Vacation Bible School - KFUO Radio {The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge} Erin's Recipe Card: Iron Ladle Challenge — VBS Snacks - KFUO Radio Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

“What should we be talking about that we’re not?” That’s the starting prompt for every installment of “Erin’s One-Question Interview.” While the answers to this question may change, the quality of these vital, hard-hitting conversations remains the same. In this episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome special guest Cassie Moore into the Lounge to talk about one of the thorniest and most uncomfortable topics of all: suicide. What do Lutherans really believe about suicide? Why are we so afraid to talk about it? How can we better engage in the sacred work of suicide prevention among hurting young people? Cassie Moore is an author, speaker, LCMS youth ministry veteran, and fellow Lutheran lady. She is author of Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Working with Kids, Teens & In-Betweens and creator of the webinar series From A to (Gen) Z: The Church and the Digital Generation with Concordia Publishing House. Learn more about her work at CassieAHMoore.com. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org. You are not alone. Jesus loves you, and so do we. Resources referenced in this episode include: Resilient Minds - Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum (cph.org) Home - youthESource — free youth ministry resources I Will Grieve for the Suicide (lcms.org) — free ebook by the Rev. Peter Preus Word Of Hope (word-of-hope.org) — Lutherans for Life deaconess hotline 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org) QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute (en-US) Mental Health First Aid Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

According to Lutheran Service Book, the commemoration of St. Monica falls on August 27 each year. But who exactly is St. Monica? And how does one celebrate her? To answer these questions (and more), the Party Planning Committee is back! Monica, mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, is remembered today as an example of faith, patience, and godliness in the face of complicated family relationships. In this episode, Rachel briefly tells Monica’s inspiring life story before suggesting an appropriate menu and party plan befitting the saint’s fabled austerity — featuring vegetable porridge, bread, water, loud weeping, and all-night prayer vigils. Thankfully, Erin and Sarah intervene with a much more festive set of ideas, including Erin’s original recipe for St. Monica buns (see below) and Sarah’s home-grown party games: pin the collect on the saint, “Aqueducts and Leviathans” (a fun “Shoots and Ladders” spinoff), and, of course, a hymn sing. St. Monica's Buns Recipe by Erin Alter Makes 12 buns (can easily be doubled) Dough ½ c (117 ml) milk, any kind, lightly warmed 1 ¼ t (½ packet) instant yeast 2 T (25 g) granulated sugar ¾ t salt 1 large egg 4 T (57 g) butter, softened 1 ¾ c (227 g) flour Filling 3 T packed brown sugar ¼- ½ t cinnamon Scant 1/8 t ground ginger Good pinch of salt 2 peaches, pitted and diced Garnish Milk Turbinado sugar Whisk together warm milk, yeast, sugar, and salt a large bowl. Whisk in eggs. Add softened butter, chunked up. Use Danish dough whisk to incorporate flour. Stir vigorously for the duration of one of your favorite songs (ideally 4-6 minutes; the song will help it go faster). The dough will be smooth but still extremely sticky. This is proper. Transfer the whole mess into an oiled bowl big enough to hold it when doubled. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and from here there are two possible schedules: Method 1: Let the dough rise at room temperature until it just shy of doubles, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Transfer dough to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. It is impossible to work with this dough when still at room temperature; don’t even try. Method 2: Let the dough rise in the fridge a minimum of 8 hours, and up to 2 days. It will be just about doubled when it comes out. From this point, you are now back on the same track, regardless of your rising method. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a muffin tin. Combine brown sugar, spices, and salt. Mix in the diced peaches. Set aside to get juicy. On a well-floured counter, divide the dough in quarters, and then divide each quarter into 3 pieces, so you have 12 pieces of dough. Roll each piece of dough into a ball. On a well-floured counter, use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a circle, ~ 4 inches wide. Add flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Work fairly quickly, so the dough doesn’t get too warm. Holding the circle of dough in your palm, add two heaping spoonful’s of the peaches to the center. Gather the edges of the dough up around the sides, forming a little nest. Nestle the nest into the muffin tin and repeat. If you have extra peaches at the end, you can see if there are any buns that you could scoop a little more into. Brush the dough edges with a little milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool at least 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin and serving. Optional: Serve with crème fraiche. Note: If you add extra peaches to a bun, don’t let the peaches heap up over the dough much at all. If you do, they will probably overflow in the oven and you will have delicious buns that are very, very sticky to eat and an extremely messy pan to clean. And non-overflowed buns are just as delicious, and much more pleasant to eat. Crème Fraiche Combine 1 c heavy whipping cream with 1 heaping T sour cream in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake for 15 seconds (don’t turn this to butter!). Leave it on the counter for 24 hours, covered. Stir it 2-3 times during that...

Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome their second guest — Elizabeth Pittman — to the Leading Ladies interview series, seeking to celebrate Lutheran women in notable positions of leadership or influence in the church or the world. Elizabeth Pittman is director of public relations for Concordia Publishing House and host of the CPH podcast. In this episode, Elizabeth tells her story: from high-profile PK to law school graduate to Capitol Hill staffer to wife and mother and publishing professional. Along the way, she offers special encouragement to women who are struggling with work-life balance, seeking to exercise their leadership skills in an out-of-the-spotlight way, or striving to use their voices in a winsome, faithful way in the public sphere. To hear more from Elizabeth Pittman, check out the CPH podcast at CPH.org or on YouTube, and browse CPH’s latest new releases here. Revisit our first Leading Ladies interview with Teresa Todd here. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the August issue of The Lutheran Witness on education, Rachel's asking a (really) Big Question: How should I educate my kids? It’s a quandary that arises regularly for many families, especially at this time of year — and rightly so. We love our kids and want them to be well equipped to take our places as leaders in the church, their families, and society at large. While the law of the land requires young people to receive at least a basic level of education in subjects like math, English, science, and social studies, Scripture also encourages parents to be intentional about raising their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” How can we as Lutherans navigate these often conflicting sets of priorities and choose the educational options that work best for each family? Getting vulnerable and sharing her own family’s labyrinthine educational story, Rachel carefully examines the pros and cons associated with a variety of different schooling options and offers practical, Gospel-centered takeaways for anxious families. To find an LCMS school near you, check out the school locator at LCMS.org. Click to learn more about: Homeschool laws in your state via the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website Classical options through the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education Saint Paul’s Lutheran School (boarding school in Concordia, Missouri) Wittenberg Academy (online LCMS classical school) Revisit Bri’s Big Question episode on “Does Lutheran education make you a Lutheran?” and listen to other Big Question conversations at KFUO.org. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Q: Why shouldn’t you tell secrets in a cornfield? A: Because the corn has ears! It’s a “cornival” of craziness as Erin leads Sarah and Rachel in an all-new Iron Ladle Challenge celebrating the joys of "corn culture" (or “corny culture”) in midsummer. After discussing results from a pair of lively listener polls on how to cook and butter corn-on-the-cob (Facebook group members can find those here), the Ladies share their own favorite sweet corn recipes. Which will you try? Rachel’s creamy corn chowder? Sarah’s cowboy caviar? Erin’s colorful confetti corn salad? Or all of the above??? Still can’t get enough corny goodness? Check out this adorable music video on YouTube. Erin's Confetti Corn Salad Vegetables: 2 cans corn, drained 1 small green pepper, chopped 2 green onions, sliced 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 large tomato, chopped Dressing 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 3 Tablespoons mayo Directions mix dressing toss with salad add pepper to taste Rachel’s Corn Chowder (Measurements are all approximate.) Dice ½ yellow onion and ¼ green pepper. Sautee in 2 T butter in a heavy pot over medium heat until soft. Peel, wash, and dice 3 or 4 medium potatoes. Add to pot with water or chicken broth to barely cover. Add *either* 2 cans creamed sweet corn or 1 quart garden corn from the freezer. Add salt and pepper (and chicken bullion in place of broth) to taste. Simmer until potatoes are soft. Add 2-4 cups whole milk and return to low simmer. (Be careful not to boil after this point.) Thicken in one of two ways (or both together): Melt ¼ cup butter and 2 T all-purpose flour in a small skillet and stir slowly into chowder. Use potato masher to mash some of the potatoes to release the starch. Serve with crusty buttered bread. Sarah's Cowboy Salad Mix together: Cowboy Caviar Salsa (Trader Joe's) Lettuce Shredded cheese Taco-spiced beef Any other fun salad ingredients because there are no rules. Sarah just loves cornbread Betty Crocker recipe with lots of variation: bettycrocker.com/recipes/traditional-cornbread-recipe/8990e15c-fc1d-4a8d-b8b3-4b37f45eca49 Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Johann Sebastian Bach — whom the Lutheran church commemorates on July 28 — was not a Lutheran lady ... but his two wives sure were! In this Story Time episode, Sarah introduces us to the two wives of J.S. Bach: Maria Barbara Bach (1684–1720) and Anna Magdalena Bach (1701–1760). Between them, these faithful, capable Lutheran women bore Bach 20 children (ten of whom lived to adulthood; four of whom grew up to be composers like their father) and supported the composer throughout the long and fruitful years of his illustrious musical career. For further reading: https://www.grahamsmusic.net/post/bach-s-wives-and-children https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Barbara_Bach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Magdalena_Bach https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Bach-Maria-Barbara.htm https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Bach-Anna-Magdalena.htm https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/news/magdalena-cello-suites-goldberg-variations/ A helpful guide to Bach’s many children: https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/guides/children/ And just for fun (for anyone surprised to find that Barbara is a German name): Barbaras Rhubarb Bar (feat. Marti Fischer) (youtube.com) Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Author and fellow Lutheran lady Katie Schuermann joins Rachel, Sarah, and Erin in a recap discussion of the latest Lutheran Ladies’ Book Club selection, The Saints of Whistle Grove. In a book full of memorable Lutheran characters, which are the most lovable? The most frustrating? How does identifying with a problematic character help us identify and own up to our own faults and frailties? What can we learn from the story of a legacy Lutheran congregation about what it means to be members of Christ’s church? How do the tombstones in our cemeteries bear witness to our hope of resurrection? At the end of the episode, the Ladies introduce the next Lutheran Ladies’ Book Club read: Johann Gerhard’s Meditations on Divine Mercy, translated by Matthew C. Harrison. Order the book at CPH.org. To learn more about Katie Schuermann and her work, visit katieschuermann.com. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Class is back in session, ladies! Once again, Sarah’s sharing study notes from her graduate courses at Concordia University Irvine’s Townsend Institute for Counseling and Leadership. In this episode on responsible decision-making, she covers: Why pro-con lists aren’t necessarily the be-all-and-end-all of decision-making tools How to recognize and defeat the “Four Villains of Decision Making” — narrow framing, confirmation bias, short-term emotion, and overconfidence How widening your options first can help you avoid decision-making pitfalls Why preparing to be wrong can increase the odds of a right decision “If you’re a human person, you have to make decisions. That’s just life,” Sarah says. “At the end of the day, people want to know the process for making change was fair and their input was appreciated." To dig more deeply into the material covered in this episode, check out Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Happy (Belated) Independence Day! To celebrate in a very "Lutheran Lady" way, we're revisiting a favorite episode from 2022 all about hymns for the nation. Hymns for the Nation, or Patriotic Songs? Or both? As Americans are celebrating Independence Day, Lutherans once again consider the worth of hymns and songs that focus on God’s gift of land and government. Within the context of our Two Realms (or Two Kingdoms) theology, Sarah considers the hymns found in the “Nation and National Songs” section of the Lutheran Service Book, along with some popular American favorites. Hymns featured in this episode include “God Bless Our Native Land,” “Before You, Lord, We Bow,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” “God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Arm,” plus a few American songs you’ll likely know. The third hymn in the Nation and National Songs section, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was featured in the Hymns Sing with Sarah episode for Black History Month. Read all 101 additional verses for “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” in this PDF from alliedmerchantnavy.com. To learn more about these and other hymns in Lutheran Service Book, check out CPH’s two-volume set Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the upcoming 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music (July 9–12), the Ladies are turning their attention to the book of Psalms. In the last episode of this five-episode series, they welcome listener submissions in a new “Write This:” creative challenge, this time showcasing original psalms. Building on their earlier conversation with Sarah Reinsel about the poetry of the Psalms, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel read and discuss 13 listener submissions and share their own psalmic poetry. Featuring contributions from fellow Lutheran ladies including ... Lisa M. Clark Lauren Schaidt Melissa Hecht Joanna Lee Becky Rohde Jean Engebritson Erin Forsberg Hannah Pennell Kelly Nava Katrina Jurica Lisa Rhonemus Annette Skibbe Alli Bauck Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the upcoming 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music (July 9–12), the Ladies are turning their attention to the book of Psalms. In the fourth of a five-episode series, Erin, Sarah, and Rachel attempt Psalm-inspired menu planning in a new twist on the Iron Ladle Challenge. From the “apple of your eye,” to “manna from heaven,” from “wine to gladden the heart of man” to “burnt offerings of fattened animals” — and beyond — the Psalms are full of food references. Can the Ladies find them all and suggest a range of recipes that celebrate both the beauty of the Psalms and the goodness of the Lord? “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” — Psalm 34:8 Recipes mentioned: Honeycomb Bread (Khaliat Al Nahl) | FalasteeniFoodie Baklava Recipe, Honey Baklava, How to Make Best Baklava (natashaskitchen.com) 8"x8" wall print of Psalm 4:7 Download the 8"x8" wall print of Psalm 4:7 here. 5"x7" card of Psalm 4:7 Download the 5"x7" card of Psalm 4:7 here. Download the 5"x7" card of Psalm 4:7 (with bleeds) here. 5"x7" card of Psalm 104:14-15 Download the 5"x7" card of Psalm 104:14-15 here. Download the 5"x7" card of Psalm 104:14-15 (with bleeds) here. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the upcoming 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music (July 9–12), the Ladies are turning their attention to the book of Psalms. In the third of a five-episode series, Sarah turns her attention to Psalm paraphrases in a special Hymn Sing episode. Lyrics featured in this episode include hymns by Isaac Watts (“Joy to the World,” “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”), Martin Luther (“A Mighty Fortress,” “Out of the Depths”), Joachim Neander (“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”), Johann Gramann (“My Soul Now Praise Your Maker”), and many more. Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook group members: visit our ongoing poll in the group to vote for your favorites and see how they rank. Resources referenced in the episode include: Hymnary.org: a comprehensive index of hymns and hymnals | Hymnary.org "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (arr. Virgil Thomson) (youtube.com) Hymnapalooza episode on Louis Bourgeois The Westminster Standard – To glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music - LCMS Calendar Engaging the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns - 2 Volume Set - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the upcoming 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music (July 9–12), the Ladies are turning their attention to the book of Psalms. In the second of a five-episode series, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome fellow Lutheran lady Sarah Reinsel (LCMS writer, editor and former English teacher) to the Lounge to talk about the literary beauty of psalmic poetry. What makes literature literature and poetry poetry? Are the Psalms poetry? What universal and uniquely Hebrew poetic devices do we see in the Psalms? What do we gain by learning to appreciate their literary beauty more deeply? At the end of the episode, the Ladies introduce an all-new “Write This:” challenge — write your own psalm. Submit your original work by June 12 to be included in our online recap. To learn more, check out the following: 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music - LCMS Calendar Engaging the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) Understanding Biblical Literary Devices– A Key to Correctly Interpreting Scripture | Hoshana Rabbah BlogHoshana Rabbah Blog Sarah Reinsel is a staff writer and editor for LCMS Communications. She studied English at Hillsdale College and earned her master's in medieval literature from the University of St. Andrews. Find an archive of Sarah’s LCMS online articles here. Need inspiration? Check out or revisit these authors and poets recommended by Sarah Reinsel during the episode: Augustine of Hippo William Shakespeare John Donne George Herbert Gerard Manly Hopkins Czesław Miłosz Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Inspired by the upcoming 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music (July 9–12), the Ladies are turning their attention to the book of Psalms. In the first of a five-episode series, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome Chaplain Sean Daenzer back to the Lounge for a Kitchen Table Talk conversation on the theology of Psalms. How are the Psalms structured (and why is this important)? Where do we find the Gospel in the Psalms — and the Psalms in the Gospel? What can we learn from the Psalms about how to rejoice in — and lament to — the Lord? How has the church used Psalms in its worship throughout history? How can we get the most out of reading the Psalms devotionally? To learn more, check out the following: 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music - LCMS Calendar Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 5 - Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) Reading the Psalms with Luther - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

In this episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel introduce a new interview series: Leading Ladies, a celebration of Lutheran women in notable positions of leadership or influence in the church or the world. Their first guest in this series is Teresa Todd, fellow Lutheran lady and wife of Chaplain (RDM) Gregory N. Todd, who currently serves as the 28th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy. Chaplain Todd previously served as the 20th Chaplain of the Marine Corps and the tenth Chaplain of the Coast Guard. Over 32 years as a chaplain spouse, Teresa has supported her husband through a variety of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard assignments, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and chaplaincy work at Ground Zero in the wake of the September 11 attacks. In this episode, Teresa tells her story, shares her wisdom, and offers encouragement to ministry and military wives everywhere. Click to learn more about LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, listen to Chaplain Todd on KFUO’s The Coffee Hour, watch a recent television interview with him on The 700 Club (starting at the 11:00 mark), or hear a Story Time with Sarah episode on military chaplaincy in American history. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Following up on her earlier foray into liturgical calendar trivia last Advent, Rachel here offers “The Church Year, Part 2.” Tackling Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Ordinary Time, Michaelmas, saints’ days, the Last Sunday, and more, Rachel quizzes Erin and Sarah with 16 questions ranging from easy to expert level. Will Rachel manage to stump her smarty-pants cohosts? Will they be able to stop laughing long enough to remember whether or not Athanasius wrote the Athanasian Creed? Find out in the latest installment of Rachel’s Trivia Challenge. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: humans need holidays,” Rachel reminds us. “ We need feasts and fasts and seasons to break up the monotony of our days. The church calendar gives us that, and we’d be fools not to accept the gift. Because when we let our holy-days go, we find ourselves with a string of ho-hum secular holidays instead.” Select sources referenced in this episode: Sundays and Seasons - Church Year (lcms.org) What Ordinary Time Means in the Catholic Church (learnreligions.com) Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

Altar Guild ladies ... this one’s for you! Following up on Rachel’s historical tribute to the Altar Guild last year, Sarah’s continuing the conversation with an all-new Adventures in Lutheranism episode spotlighting Altar Guild life hacks. “Part of the beauty of serving on Altar Guild is passing knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next,” says Sarah, “and I’m leaning all into that wisdom today.” From removing wine and lipstick stains from purificators to washing glass communion cups to troubleshooting oil candles — and beyond — this episode comes crammed full of practical tips for tending the altar of God. Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.