The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

As the weather warms up and the sun grows brighter and hotter, Rachel's taking the opportunity to ask a big question that turns out to be just a little more controversial than one might expect:  Should I line dry my clothes?   Beginning with a quick survey of the history of laundry drying techniques and traditions, Rachel then looks how and why American housewives made the transition from “drying greens” and clotheslines to gas or electric tumble dryers — and how the “right-to-dry" movement in the 2000s and 2010s marked a resurgence in popularity for the humble, affordable, counter-cultural, and even occasionally illegal clothesline.   Resources referenced in this episode include:   Old and Interesting: History of Laundry  Ronald Reagan " Live Better Electrically" comercial de "GE Theatre"  "Live Better Electrically" commercial from "GE Theatre" (1950s)  Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to ... - Ellen Sandbeck - Google Books  Clothes line - Wikipedia  Drying for Freedom - Drying For Freedom Official Trailer 1 | IMDb  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 honor of the Feast of the Ascension, the Ladies are once again welcoming listener submissions for a Write This challenge — this time based around the Venerable Bede's eighth-century lyric “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing.”    Featuring 25 original hymn verses— covering Easter, the Ascension, the Sacraments, and more — from 15 creative contributors, this episode will inspire and deepen devotion as Christians everywhere prepare to celebrate one of the church's most ancient holy days.   For a good chuckle, check out Rowan Atkinson's character Mr. Bean struggling with the peculiar meter of this beloved hymn tune.   To learn more about the historic names for Easter and read their respective introits in the one-year lectionary, visit the Lutheran Lectionary website.   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 have you always wanted to know about LCMS International Missions (but were maybe afraid to ask)?   In this second International Missions 101 conversation, Erin draws on insights from her day job as Director of Short-term Mission for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to answer common questions about how the LCMS equips and sends missionaries and engages in missions throughout the world.   How does the LCMS do missions? What is the central focus and goal of all mission activities? How do we decide where to plant new missions? What kinds of people become missionaries (are they all pastors?), and what kind of work do they do?   To learn more, check out the following links:   International Mission – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  LCMS International Mission Facebook Page How you can serve: Missionary Service – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Short-term mission opportunities: Serve Now – Mission service opportunities  Erin's *other* podcast: 5 Minutes with a Missionary Archives – KFUO Radio  Coffee Hour episodes with missionaries: Short Term Mission Stories  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.

Do infants have saving faith? Can they be counted as full members of the Body of Christ? These are some of the thorniest questions Christian parents and grandparents face, especially since they tend to arise at some of life's most painful moments: after miscarriage, in cases of extreme disability, or when a child has tragically died before Baptism. In this Kitchen Table Talk conversation, Chaplain Sean Daenzer returns to the Lounge to offer theological hope and comfort for those agonizing over these kinds of questions — comfort based not on human reason or empirical evidence, but on the sure Word of God. How do infants and young children figure into the Kingdom of God? What role does Baptism play in salvation? How have nonbiblical concepts like “limbo” and the so-called “age of accountability” shaped how our culture thinks and talks about infant salvation? And how, given all that Scripture says about infant belief, can parents from conception onward begin passing on the faith to their prenatal and infant children? Find a Pregnancy Loss Resources List downloadable PDF 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.

“Hello, judges, my name is Rachel Bomberger, and I'll be your next podcast speaker today. My timer is set for 0:00, counting. If all my judges are ready ...? Great. Then let's begin ...”  In this Adventures in Lutheranism (Homeschool Edition) episode, Rachel introduces Sarah and Erin to the world of competitive speech and debate and shares the story of her own family's ongoing involvement with the NCFCA Christian Speech and Debate.  Beginning with an overview of the various speech and debate events and what it's like to attend a tournament in person, Rachel then answers Sarah and Erin's specific questions (“How is this part of the kids' education?,” “What's the craziest thing they've had to debate?,” and the like). At the end of the episode, she puts her cohosts on the spot and challenges them to an on-air impromptu speech round.   To learn more about the two most prominent Christian homeschool speech and debate leagues, visit the links below:  NCFCA, National Christian Forensics & Communications Association  HOME | StoaUSA  Correction: Since time of recording, NCFCA has announced that they will discontinue moot court in future seasons.   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.

Birgitte Katerine Boye (1742–1824) was a prolific and accomplished Lutheran poet, hymnwriter, and playwright in her native Denmark. In this episode — part Story Time, part Hymn Sing, part ode to Scandinavian Lutheranism — Sarah shares her story with a world that has largely forgotten her.   In and around rabbit trails on Mahler's Second Symphony, single-stanza festival hymns, and the wonderfully named Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, Sarah examines the life and hymnody of this extraordinary Lutheran lady, with a special focus on the three Boye hymn lyrics that have appeared in recent LCMS hymnals: “Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn” (LSB 391), “He Is Arisen! Glorious Word” (LSB 488), and “Holy Spirit, God of Love” (TLH 230).   For further reading, check out the following resources:  Birgitte K. Boye | Hymnary.org  He Is Arisen! Glorious Word — The Hymnal Project  Lutheran Service Book 391. Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn | Hymnary.org  Lutheran Service Book 488. He is arisen! Glorious Word! | Hymnary.org  The Lutheran Hymnal 230. Holy Spirit, God of Love | Hymnary.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.

We revisit a special devotional episode from Good Friday 2024 as we meditate on Christ's death for our sins.  As an aid to Good Friday meditation and devotion, the Ladies welcome listener contributions in a “Write This:” creative challenge, this time inviting their fellow Lutheran ladies to compose additional stanzas to the beloved Passion hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.”  Beginning with a brief account of how the hymn came to be and its connection to the Lutheran worship tradition, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel then read and sing their way through 14 listener submissions and several of their own.   Follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/lutheranladieslounge) to read and ponder the text of the lovely new hymn stanzas this Good Friday.   Click to read more about “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” at hymnary.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 book club recap conversation, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel talk through one of the most talked-about nonfiction books of the year: Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.   How have our collective relationships with screen-based technologies and social media evolved since the early 2000s? What effects has this shift had on young people? How are Christian perspectives on both screen use and adolescence distinct from those of the secular world around us? What strategies can families employ to counteract the negative effects of what Haidt calls “the great rewiring”? Are there things that every Christian can do to help young people transcend a screen-based childhood and escape the “Anxious Generation”?  At the end of the episode, Rachel unveils this year's pick for the Lutheran Ladies' Book Club summer read: E. Jane Mall's classic fictional biography of Katharina Luther, Kitty, My Rib.   Click to read more from Jonathan Haidt, including the article on close-knit communities Sarah references in the episode.   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.

It's a party within a party (within a party?) as the Lutheran Ladies welcome special guest Tori Egger during Sharathon 2025 to talk about hospitality, sharing Christ's love — and how to host one epic Easter Feast.   Tori Egger is a fellow Lutheran lady and mother of six. She frequently welcomes guests into her home on the campus of Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, where her husband (the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger) serves as seminary president.   “Bringing people into your home —” she says, “opening your heart and your home to them — is just one way of showing Christ's love to your neighbor. Once you can kind of catch that vision — that really, hospitality is sharing Christ's love with your neighbor, with the saints around you who need it — you can find lots of really easy ways to do it.”  For more on how to host your own midnight Easter feast, check out Liv Booth's recent article for The Lutheran Witness:   How to Host a Midnight Easter Feast – The Lutheran Witness  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.

This year (as eggs are currently selling for $4.95 a dozen on average), the pressure's on to sustain beloved family traditions while also ensuring that none of those precious Easter eggs go to waste.   This sounds like a challenge for the Lutheran Ladies ...  In their latest Iron Ladle Challenge, Erin, Sarah, and Rachel are cooking with eggs — both raw and hard-boiled. Rachel offers a fresh take on the classic seven-layer salad with her nine-(or-ten?-)layer Cobb salad; Sarah whips up a Paleo-friendly, coffee- and cardomom-infused, almond-milk baked egg custard (from scratch!); and Erin digs deep into her own family history to serve up a literal golden oldie, Egg  à la Goldenrod.    Spring is the air — and eggs are on the table — in this delectable episode.   Rachel's Many Layered Cobb Salad  In an 11 x 15 pan, layer (in order):  1 head chopped iceberg lettuce  1+ cup chopped celery  1+ cup frozen baby peas, cooked and cooled  Dressing: 1(ish) pint mayonnaise, mixed with 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning  1+ cup thin sliced grape tomatoes  1 diced chicken breast (rotisserie, roasted, or fried)  5+ chopped hard boiled eggs  ½ pound crumbled bacon  Shredded Colby-jack cheese to taste  (Optional extra layers: diced onions, chopped avocado; may substitute bleu cheese for Colby-jack.)  Dairy-Free Baked Egg Custard (from Sarah) (paleopantry.org/dairy-free-baked-egg-custard-made-with-almond-milk) 600ml almond milk 1 vanilla pod (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract) 4 egg yolks, plus 2 whole eggs 3-4 tablespoons honey (to taste) 1 whole nutmeg, for grating Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F. Pour the milk into a saucepan. Slit the vanilla pod in half length ways. Scrape out the seeds with the tip of the knife and add to the milk, along with the pod. Heat slowly over a gentle heat to just below boiling point, until you see small bubbles barely breaking the surface. Expect this to take at least 10 minutes, and stir frequently with a whisk or wooden spoon. Take off the heat. Fish out and discard the vanilla pod. Whisk the eggs and honey until fully blended. Gradually pour the hot milk over the eggs in a thin stream, whisking constantly to prevent the hot milk from curdling the eggs. Keep whisking until fully blended. Push through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Pour the custard into 4 ramekins with a capacity of at least 200ml, or one large dish – the recipe makes about 800ml. Finely grate the nutmeg, then sprinkle over the top (you may have more nutmeg than you need, but personally I go for a generous dusting). Arrange the ramekins / dish in a deep roasting tray, leaving space around the sides. Pour in just-boiled water from the kettle, until it reaches half-way up the sides of the ramekins. Transfer to the lowest shelf of the pre-heated oven, where the heat is gentlest. Check after 30 minutes for ramekins / 1 hour for a large dish. The custard should be just set. Test for doneness by giving a gentle shake – if there is a slight wobble in the centre of an otherwise solid mass then it is done, otherwise return to the oven and re-test in another 5 minutes. Either leave to cool for 30 minutes and serve warm, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to serve chilled. The custard will keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For best results, remove from the refrigerator half an hour before serving. For a refreshing breakfast, serve with tart berry fruits. Note: Sarah substituted maple syrup for honey and extremely fine-ground cardamom coffee grounds for nutmeg. Egg à la Goldenrod (from Erin) Serves 3-4 ½ c butter ½ c flour 1 t salt 1 t pepper 3 ½ c milk 5 eggs, hardboiled Biscuits for serving (at least 6, but make 12) Peel the eggs and remove the yolks, whole if possible. Reserve the yolks. Cut the whites into small, bite-size pieces. Heat butter in a saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add in the milk, stirring (yes, constantly). Once it is all incorporated, simmer and stir (!) for 1 minute. Mix in the egg whites. Grate the egg yolks with a fine grater into a small serving dish. This is the Goldenrod! Serve the egg gravy over biscuits. Top with the egg yolk Goldenrod and a sprinkle of paprika. 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 Ladies welcome “leading lady” Eden Keefe to the Lounge, as they continue to celebrate and learn from Lutheran women in notable positions of influence in the church and around the world. Eden Keefe serves as president of Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML). Previously, she was mission editor for Lutheran Woman's Quarterly and vice-president of Gospel Outreach for LWML.    Learn more about LWML at their website, or register here for this summer's LWML Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.   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.

It's a savory smorgasbord of circular fun as the Lutheran Ladies convene the Party Planning Committee to celebrate Pi(e) Day in style.   Is March 14 actually a liturgical holiday? No. Do we at the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge just love pie (and also irrational, transcendental numbers)? You betcha.   Sarah gets the party started in dramatic fashion with a Big Question: What kind of oven is the best kind for baking? Electric? Gas? Convection? Gas convection? She has some thoughts — and so do lots of ladies in the Lounge.   Erin keeps things cooking with a mouthwatering recipe for chicken pot pie that can be scaled up or down for every occasion. (Scroll down to see her recipe and comments below.)  Finally, Rachel adds meaning to madness with a trivia challenge all about pie and pi.   “I just love pi,” says Rachel. “It humbles me deeply even to think about it. ... Enjoy your Pi Day. Eat some pie, but also: do some math. Because it's marvelous.”   Erin's Chicken Pot Pie  Makes one 9x9 casserole dish  5-6 T butter  5-6 T flour  1/3 c chopped onion  ½ t salt  ¼ t pepper  ½ t herbes de Provence  2 c chicken broth  1 c milk  11 oz cut up, cooked chicken  1 # frozen mixed vegetables  1 recipe crust (below)  Heat butter over low heat until melted. Mix in the flour, onion, salt, pepper, and herbs. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in the broth and milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute (still stirring!!). Stir in the chicken and frozen vegetables. Set aside.   Crust 350 g flour 1 t salt 2.5 sticks butter, sliced into small chunks   3 t celery seed  3 oz cold water (plus more as needed)   Combine about 225g flour (just eyeball about two-thirds of your flour), butter and salt in a food processor. Pulse 25 times. Add remaining flour. Pulse 5 times. Turn out into a bowl and sprinkle with 3oz cold water. Combine with a spatula. Add more water sparingly, as needed, until it comes together.   Combine into 2 disks, one a bit larger than the other, and chill for at least 2 hours before rolling (ideally you will chill it, but if you need to get this made pronto, press on!).  Preheat oven to 425.  Roll out the larger portion into a rectangle big enough to fill an 9x9 casserole. You need to make it big enough to go up the sides. So depending on how deep your casserole is, you might need a bigger or smaller square. But start with around 13x13-ish. Lay the crust in the dish. It will drape over the sides a little bit.  Roll out the other portion of dough into a square about 11x11. Add the reserved filling and cover with the second portion of dough. Roll the edges under and flute. Cut a charming design in the top, or just poke it with a knife a few times, to allow steam to escape.  Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until it is browned and bubbling. It may take longer. You might need to protect the crust with foil, if it is browning but not yet bubbling.   Notes: You can also use this recipe to make Mini Chicken Pot Pies! If you use 4-inch pie pans, you can make 10 miniature double crusts. You might need to adjust the filling quantity a bit (I forgot to make notes on that). Assemble in the same way as the full-size pie, heap the filling a bit. Cut a little heart on the top to make yourself smile a month from now when you eat this.   Freeze on a cookie sheet until frozen solid. Wrap each pie in plastic wrap and store in ziplock freezer bags- 4 will fit in a gallon bag.   To bake a mini pot pie, unwrap the plastic wrap and place on a baking sheet with some foil underneath (it might bubble over). Do not thaw; don't wait for the oven to preheat, just put it in. You might need to protect the crust from over-browning. I usually start with the crust covered and then remove it midway. You could also do the reverse.   Bake in a toaster oven at 350 for 70 minutes with convection, until beautifully browned and bubbly. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes, so you do not destroy your tongue with the molten filling.   Learn more about the topics discussed in Rachel's trivia segment by cruising Wikipedia entries for “pie” and “pi” and checking out these links:   Pi calculated to 62.8 trillion digits, setting new world record  The Pi Song (Memorize 100 Digits Of π) | SCIENCE SONGS  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, Erin's launching an exciting NEW series of episodes entitled “International Mission 101.” Beginning with the startling revelation that she is not, in fact, a full-time professional podcast host but rather a 25-year veteran of the LCMS Office of International Mission, Erin here shares her own mission origin story.   How did an unemployed physical therapist end up first as a missionary to Japan and then as a director of short-term missions at the LCMS? (You'll just have to hear the story to believe it.)  As you listen, you may find yourself asking: How might God be calling me to mission service? If so, Erin ends the episode by sharing some ideas and opportunities.   Learn more at the links below about:  International Mission - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  How you can serve: Missionary Service - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod  Short-term mission opportunities: Serve Now - Mission service opportunities  Erin's *other* podcast: 5 Minutes with a Missionary Archives - KFUO Radio  Coffee Hour episodes with missionaries: Short Term Mission Stories  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.

Put your thinking caps on, ladies! It's time for another round of Rachel's Trivia Challenge!  This time, Rachel's spotlighting "Great Moments in the History of Lutherans in America.” Beginning with the age of exploration and going through the Colonial Era up to the formation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1847, she's quizzing Erin and Sarah on some of the lesser-known and more unexpected chapters in American Lutheran history.   Which explorer brought a Lutheran chaplain along on his quest to discover the Northwest Passage? Which American colony was actually founded by Lutherans? Did Lutherans fight more notably as Patriots or Tories in the Revolutionary War? What is a “Prussian Union,” anyway? And can either Sarah or Rachel say “Die Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Synode von Missouri, Ohio und andern Staaten” without tripping over their own tongues?   Resources referenced in this episode include:   Jens Munk: An expedition ahead of its time | Canadian Geographic  Early History of American Lutheranism (Bible Hub)  Peter Stuyvesant's relentless quest for order in New Amsterdam pushes Africans out of the church | A Journey through NYC religions  Henry Melchior Muhlenberg - Living Lutheran  Fighting Words | Christian History Magazine  Demagoguery or Democracy? The Saxon Emigration and American Culture (Rev. Dr. Larry Rast, Concordia Theological Quarterly)  Saxon Lutheran immigration of 1838–39 - Wikipedia  Die Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Synode von Missouri, Ohio und andern Staaten – The Lutheran Witness (Rev. Roy S. Askins)  "History of Lutheranism" series with Rev. Dr. Larry Rast (The Coffee Hour on KFUO Radio)  "100 Years of LCMS Music History" series with Benjamin Kolodziej (The Coffee Hour on 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.

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 focus and productivity, drawn largely from Michael Hyatt's Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less, she covers how to:    STOP. This is where we Formulate, Evaluate, and Rejuvenate.  CUT. This is where we Eliminate, Automate, and Delegate.  ACT. This is where we Consolidate, Designate, and Activate.  “Putting some of these concepts into action has helped me so much with focusing my work and productivity – and letting go of the ‘hustle-productivity-do-all-the-things-at-once' culture,” says Sarah.   “We stress ourselves out about doing 'all the things' and just need a reminder that it's okay to not do 'all the things.' We aren't called to do that. We're called to serve each other in love because we are forgiven children of God, and that in itself gives us a lot of freedom.”  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. Scott Stiegemeyer is associate professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine; previously, he served as parish pastor of congregations near Pittsburgh, Pa., and Chicago, Ill. In this Kitchen Table Talk conversation, Dr. Stiegemeyer answers pressing questions on AI (artificial intelligence) from an ethical and theological perspective. How does God's Word inform our perspective on artificial intelligence? How does AI require us to think deeply about what it truly means to be human? What is it about artificial intelligence that makes it scarier or more troubling for people than many technological innovations that have come before? From a Christian perspective, are there good, bad, and neutral uses for AI? Is AI evil? " So I don't think we have the luxury of not grappling with because we live in the world, right? Think of it in terms of vocation, that we have a joyful obligation of freedom to serve our neighbor, to be a little Christ for someone else. And so if this thing could be damaging, we should care about how it may damage us and impact our ability to serve the Lord in numerous vocations." 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.

"Personal foul: lack of exciting Super Bowl snacks, on the party host. Fifteen-yard penalty. Repeat snack production." Don't want this party foul scenario to happen to you? Sarah, Erin, and Rachel are on your team, and they've got your back! In this week's Iron Ladle Challenge, they're offering a range of fun and tasty snacks that go way beyond pizza rolls and potato chips. From Rachel's keto-friendly shrimp salad and no-rice sushi to Sarah's Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers to Erin's savory “Cheeseburger Dip ‘All the Way',” these ideas will help you take your game day buffet to the next level.   From Erin: Cheeseburger Dip “All The Way” 6 slices of bacon 1 small-medium onion, chopped fairly small 2 cloves garlic, minced .5 lb ground beef Salt and Pepper 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 8 oz cream cheese/Neufchatel, softened Equivalent of 2 medium dill pickles, chopped Good blop of mustard Healthy squirt of ketchup Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and then chop. Remove most of the bacon grease and reserve for another use. Return the pan to heat and sauté the onion. Once it is starting to turn golden brown, add the garlic and sauté for a couple more minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to a bowl, along with the chopped bacon. Return the pan to heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up well. Season it with salt and pepper. Once it is browned (not just cooked, you want some of that good Maillard browning!!!!!), transfer to the bowl with the onions. If your beef is very fatty, you can drain some of that off first. Add the cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Stir to combine. Heat this mixture, stirring frequently- either on the stove top, in the microwave, or in a crockpot. As the cheese melts, mix in the pickles, mustard and ketchup. Taste it. What does it need more of? Add that. Serve with tortilla chips. Note: you could sub ground turkey for the ground beef. If you do that, you should use more of the reserved bacon grease. Additional Recipes from Erin: Sardine Rillettes - Little French Bakery Anchovy Butter - The Two Bananas From Sarah: Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers - Unbound Wellness Maple Roasted Almonds - From It's A Veg World After All From Rachel: Keto Shrimp Salad Bites - Healthy Little Peach  No-Rice Low-Carb Sushi  Thinly spread a one-inch strip of cream cheese on a sheet of nori.  Add toppings to taste (preferably cut longwise):  Leg-style imitation crab meet  Avocado  Cucumber spears  Green onions  Shrimp salad (see recipe above)  Get creative!  Carefully roll the toppings in the nori, using another dab or two of cream cheese to seal the edge if needed. Let sit for a few minutes for the nori to soften. Cut into generous (two-inch or so) slices — too thin and they'll fall apart. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi.   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.

Rachel leads Sarah and Erin in a lively romp through their latest Lutheran Ladies' Book Club selection, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.   What does this book written by a woman about a woman surrounded by women teach us about what it means to be a woman? How comfortable are we really with Jane and Rochester's May/December, boss/employee romance? How well do the book's many religious moments and messages fit within a Lutheran worldview? What difference does it make in a person's life to know how to forgive others — quickly, freely, and completely?  At the end of the episode, the Ladies announce their next book club pick: Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.   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.

At the beginning of this new calendar year, Sarah's celebrating beginnings — specifically those hymns in the “Beginning of Service” section of Lutheran Service Book. These classic favorites may sometimes go unnoticed and unappreciated, sitting as they do at the very back of the hymnal, but there's nothing unlovable about them.   Hymns covered in this episode include “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (LSB 901), LSB 902 “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now” (LSB 902), “Come, Thou Almighty King” (LSB 905), “O Day of Rest and Gladness” (LSB 906), “God Himself Is Present” (LSB 907), and “Christ Is Our Cornerstone” (LSB 912).  Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook group members click here to view and participate in our ongoing poll!  Learn more about the Friedenkirchen (“Churches of Peace”) discussed at length in the episode here.  Hear musicians from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saint Charles, Missouri, perform "Lord, We've Come This Day to Worship” (the dark horse hymn of the episode) on YouTube.   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.

There's a star in the East, and Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar — together with their newfound friend and hanger-on Trish (who has just completed her "spiritual road trip certification") — are on an epic journey to worship the Christ child in the manger. Will they opt for meaningful and traditional gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh), or impulse buy the adorable onesie instead? Will they fall for Herod's duplicity, or decide that he definitely doesn't "pass the vibe check"? And will Trish lead the whole party astray at the first Chick-fil-A sign she sees? Former co-host Bri Gerzevske (along with her hilarious alter ego, Trish) is back for an all-new Epiphany Radio Theatre sketch: "The Four Magi Road Trippin'." Disclaimer: This episode is satire, Trish is a fictional character, and we already know our script probably wouldn't pass LCMS Doctrinal Review on the first try. Enjoy. Click to browse previous episodes of Bri's Radio Theatre. 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.

“ You have told a story that no other living person could have told us.”   This Wild Card episode is a glimpse into KFUO Radio's rich 100 years of history with audio from KFUO's 25th Anniversary in 1949. KFUO Host Elmer Knoernschild interviewed Certified Lutheran Lady Mrs. Kretzschmar, who was the wife of one of KFUO's founders, the Rev. Dr. Richard Kretzschmar. In this conversation, she shared her memories of those very early days of KFUO Radio and how the Lord made this dream of a radio ministry a reality.    “Dr. Maier very often has something to say about that meeting that we were in. I said, oh yes, that day I thought you were both dreaming. He said, I thought that myself.”   “That's right, but it was a dream that came true. The Lord saw to that.”  Find more KFUO history at kfuo.org/100.  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. John Kleinig is emeritus lecturer at Luther College, Adelaide, South Australia, and author of several books on Lutheran theology and spirituality, including Grace upon Grace, Wonderfully Made, and the volume on Prayer in the Lutheran Spirituality Series. In this warm and pastoral Kitchen Table Talk conversation originally from February 23, 2024, Dr. Kleinig answers vital questions on prayer from a biblical Lutheran perspective.    What is prayer? What different forms does it take? Is there such a thing as a “Lutheran rosary”? How does Christ teach us to pray, even today, through His Word? What does it really mean to pray “in Jesus' name”?   For further reading, check out the following books by Dr. Kleinig, which were referenced in the episode:  Lutheran Spirituality: Prayer  Grace upon Grace: Spirituality for Today  Wonderfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body   For further listening, check out our Lutheran Ladies' Book Club discussion of Wonderfully Made.  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.

How well do you know your favorite holiday songs? We're revisiting an episode of Rachel's Trivia Challenge—all about Christmas carols! Which beloved Christmas Eve hymn originally referenced Baby Jesus's curly hair? Which carol writer once posed as the Virgin Mary for a famous pre-Raphaelite painting? Which faux medieval ballad is regularly sung at Boar's Head Festivals around the country? And the trickiest question of all: which Christmas carol is Sarah's all-time favorite (today)? A lightning round at the end challenges listeners to identify carols based only on the title or first line of the song in its language of origin. Click through to listen to previous Rachel's Trivia Challenge episodes. 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.

Five years after their first Christmas Poetry Slam in 2019 (routinely “regifted” ever since), the Ladies have finally picked up their pens to write a fresh batch of poems for the holiday season. And this time, they have help. Joining Sarah, Erin, and Rachel in the Lounge are authors Katie Schuermann and Lisa Clark. Together, they share original Christmas poems ranging from psalms of lament to epic odes to hilarious parodies. Whether you cry or laugh (or do both at once), you'll almost certainly be inspired to make poetry a more regular part of your holiday celebrations. Katie Schuermann is a household name in many LCMS circles, beloved for her cozy novels (among them, our summer book club pick The Saints of Whistle Grove) and for her nonfiction books including He Remembers the Barren and Pew Sisters. Click to visit Katie's website or browse her books from Concordia Publishing House, Kloria Publishing, and Emmanuel Press. Lisa M. Clark is an editor at Concordia Publishing House and the author of devotions, picture books, Bible curricula, Christmas programs, young adult novels — and literally hundreds of original hymn texts. Click to browse Lisa Clark's books at Concordia Publishing House. 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.

“Once upon a time, in a city far, far away (otherwise known as St. Louis), a few men with a big dream and even bigger prayers began a radio ministry that would last the test of time for 100 years ...”  In a major milestone for Lutheran broadcasting, KFUO Radio (home of the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge podcast) is celebrating 100 continuous years on the air this month. In this trivia-rich Story Time episode, Sarah relates key moments from a century of audio excellence.  From its launch in a drafty attic studio to its Lutheran Hour glory days to a landmark 1998 legal victory for religious liberty, KFUO's history has been marked by boldness, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel.   To learn more about KFUO's history and current programming, check out ...  100th Anniversary - KFUO Radio  KFUO Centennial Documentary  (8) 100 Years of Christ for You. - YouTube  KFUO Radio  For more information about the early history of radio broadcasting in America, visit ...   Early Days of Radio, 1920 — Vermont Historical Society  Radio Activity: The 100th Anniversary of Public Broadcasting | Smithsonian  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.

Chaplain Sean Daenzer joins Sarah, Erin, and Rachel for another Kitchen Table Talk conversation — this time on the theological hot topic of individual Confession and Absolution.   What is individual (or private) Confession and Absolution? What biblical basis and historical basis is there for this practice? How did Luther (in the Small Catechism) recommend it be done? How does Lutheran Confession and Absolution differ from the more culturally familiar Roman Catholic version of the rite? Why did Lutherans largely abandon this historic practice — and why is it seeing a resurgence today? Who can benefit from it? And how, exactly, does individual Confession and Absolution even work, practically speaking?  Discover more biblical teaching and preaching from Chaplain Sean Daenzer in the KFUO Radio archives.  Find the Small Catechism at catechism.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 a special Leading Ladies crossover with Sarah Goes to School, Sarah welcomes Deaconess Dr. Kim Schave for a conversation on leadership, vocation, and psychological safety. What is psychological safety in the workplace, and what happens when organizations do or don't practice it? How can ministry leaders incorporate psychological safety in faith-based environments? Deaconess Dr. Kim Schave is Director of MBA and MSBA Programs and Assistant Professor of Accounting at Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor Schools of Business. She was previously executive director of Humanitri in St. Louis and Director of Project and Policy Administration with the LCMS.  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.

For most of us, the word “fellowship” brings to mind coffee and donuts on Sunday after church — or perhaps a monthly church potluck or seasonal Lenten soup supper.   For certain intrepid Lutherans, however, “fellowship” can mean much more than that.   In this episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel are highlighting and celebrating examples of EXTREME FELLOWSHIP!!! in Lutheran churches. From paintball tournaments to fashion shows, indoor camping to triangle dinners to ninja toilet treats (trust us: you'll just have to listen to understand this one), Lutherans are, it turns out, pros at finding fun and creative ways to spend time together as the body of Christ.   And then, of course, there's the most extreme act of fellowship of all: the Lord's Supper.   Resources referenced in this episode include the following:  Communities That Confess: How the Church Confesses Christ in a Culture of Isolation – The Lutheran Witness by Joel Biermann  Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer  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.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (Psalm 98:4). In this Adventures in Lutheranism episode, Rachel shares her recent experience joining a new-to-her church choir.   Beginning with a brief foray into the history of sacred choral music — from ancient Greece to Garrison Keillor and beyond — she then examines the physical and mental health benefits of singing in groups and ponders the long decline of church choirs (even as choral singing in general has been on the rise). She invites Sarah and Erin to relate their own experiences with church choirs before sharing her personal choral history up to the present day. At the end of the episode, she airs interviews with each of her four children, who confirm that church choir is absolutely for all ages.   Sources cited in this episode include:   Choir - Wikipedia  Why do Lutherans Sing? Lutherans, Music, and the Gospel in the First Century of the Reformation | Church History | Cambridge Core  Singing the Reformation - Lutheran Reformation  The Young Lutheran's Guide to The Orchestra  How a superspreader at choir practice sickened 52 people with COVID-19 | Live Science  Pandemic brings opportunities for some choirs hit by coronavirus restrictions | ABC News - YouTube  Interest in choral singing is not declining in America, so why are church choirs disappearing? – Baptist News Global  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 1952, Ralston Purina first published a recipe for its now-famous Chex™ party mix as an advertisement in Life magazine. Although few people now make Chex™ mix (or any party mix) from scratch — especially since the advent of a pre-packaged version in 1985 — in this Iron Ladle Challenge, Erin, Sarah and Rachel are bringing back homemade party mixes.   With fun add-ins like Goldfish crackers and Sriracha, a preponderance of butter, and cups (and cups) of dry cereal, these fresh takes on classic recipes will inspire both nostalgia and creativity — just in time for the holiday season.  Erin's Spicy Sweet Tropical Party Mix Makes enough to fill 1 extra-large jade green Tupperware container (274-12) from the 80's. Combine in a very large bowl: 9 c assorted Chex™ cereals 3 c Bugles 2 c lightly salted peanuts 1.5 c small pretzels 2 c banana chips Heat in a small saucepan: 12 T butter 6 T Worcestershire sauce ½ c honey ½ c sriracha 1 t garlic powder 2 t salt When the butter is melted, transfer to a jar with a secure lid and shake well to fully combine the WORSHUSHER and sriracha with the melted butter. Pour the about a third of the liquid gold over the dry ingredients and stir gently, but thoroughly. Pour another portion of the tasty goodness over the cereal and such and stir. Finally, pour the last of the molten flavor over the crunchy bits and stir well, but don't crush the mixture. Spread the buttery mix onto two large cookie sheets. Bake at 275° for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. After 45 minutes, stir once more and increase to 325° and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. The mix will crisp up as it cools. It will fit perfectly in your grandmother's big green Tupperware container. Optional: if your party people enjoy spice, you can sprinkle on some chili powder or cayenne when it finishes baking. But use caution. There are no takebacks with cayenne. Rachel's Kid-Friendly Party Mix View this image of the original Chex™ Mix on the Wheat Chex™ box!  The Original Chex™ Party Mix | Nuts and Bolts Snack Mix Recipe  Adjustments:  Remove peanuts and/or mixed nuts. Half of my kids don't see the point. Replace with Goldfish crackers.   Add 1 cup parmesan crisps. (So good, especially when baked with Worcestershire sauce.)  Replace bagel chips/rye chips with oyster crackers (regrettably), since my local grocery doesn't sell these items separately from premade party mixes.*  Note for next time: Increase the butter. Maybe even double it.   *This wasn't as tasty as I thought it would be. If I do this again and still can't find bagel chips, I'll just swap in an extra cup of Chex™, or try a different add-in altogether.    Sarah's Puppy Chow Party Mix My inspiration is from this recipe from Bon Appetit: bonappetit.com/recipe/puppy-chow-party-mix   Yield Makes about 5 quarts (YES FIVE QUARTS)  Ingredients  1 12-ounce box Rice Chex™ cereal (about 10 cups)  7 ounces bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao), chopped (about 1¼ cups)  ¾ cup creamy peanut butter  ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter  1½ teaspoons kosher salt  1 teaspoon vanilla extract  2½ cups powdered sugar, divided  Add-ins 2 cups rye chips 2 cups butterscotch chips 2 cups thin pretzel sticks  Directions Place cereal in a large bowl. Heat chocolate, peanut butter, butter, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), stirring, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and toss with 2 spoons or spatulas until coated. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.  Transfer cereal mixture to a large clean bowl (so powdered sugar doesn't absorb into chocolate coating from original bowl). Sift ½ cup powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve onto cereal, coating entire surface. Toss to coat. Repeat 2 more times.  Transfer cereal mixture to 2 parchment-lined sheet trays, spreading evenly. Sift ½ cup powdered sugar over both trays (do not mix). Chill 2 hours or let sit at room temperature overnight (break into individual pieces, but leave some clumps, if sitting out overnight).  Transfer cereal mixture and powdered sugar from sheet trays to a large clean bowl and toss to coat. Sift remaining ½ cup powdered sugar over and toss to coat again. Add rye chips, butterscotch chips, and pretzels; toss to combine.  Do Ahead: Puppy chow can be made 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room-temperature.  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. Matthew C. Harrison is president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. His published works include At Home in the House of My Fathers, A Little Book on Joy, and an English translation of Johann Gerhard's Meditations on Divine Mercy — recently featured as the Lutheran Ladies' Book Club's 2024 Reformation read.   In this episode, Pastor Harrison tells the stories behind this little book — both Gerhard's story as author and his own as translator. Who is Johann Gerhard, and why is he one of the great Lutheran theologians? Which of Gerhard's meditations does Harrison keep revisiting in his own prayer life, and why?  At the end of the episode, Erin takes the opportunity to ask Pastor Harrison some more personal questions: Who are the most important women in his life? What are the coolest things he's gotten to do as president of the LCMS? Who is the person who keeps him most humble?   Get to know both Gerhard's Meditations and President Harrison more deeply in this warm and personal interview.   Click to listen to our recent book club wrap-up episode or order your own copy of Gerhard's Meditations on Divine Mercy.   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.

On October 26, the church commemorates THREE notable Lutheran hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt.   Hold onto your hymnals, friends: this Hymn Sing with Sarah episode is a harmonious hymn fest in triplicate. Hymns featured in this episode include:   “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”  “O Morningstar, How Fair and Bright”  “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”  “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”  “I Will Sing My Maker's Praises” (PDF from CTSFW: ctsfw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LSB-977-I-Will-Sing.pdf) To learn more about these and other beloved hymnwriters, check out Hymnary.org or the monumental Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns from CPH. For readers seeking a more compact treatment, CPH also offers Eternal Anthems: The Story behind Your Favorite Hymns in two volumes.   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.

Sarah, Erin, and Rachel “close the book” on their latest Lutheran Ladies' Book Club discussion with this episode on Johann Gerhard's Meditations on Divine Mercy, translated by the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison.   Can a 400-year-old prayerbook help Lutherans grow in their faith today? How can we more faithfully structure and prioritize our prayers to make the most of every moment before the throne of God? And how can such a tiny book take such a lot of time and effort to get through?   At the end of the episode, the Ladies announce their next book club pick: Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.   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.

Who says Lutherans don't have a sense of humor?   Beloved Lounge alum Bri once again visits the podcast — this time as her hilarious alter ego “Trish,” who “after, like, three years” of calls and emails has finally scored a meeting with Sarah, Erin, and Rachel to pitch all her best podcast episode ideas.   Will Trish's pitches on “canning the fruits of the Spirit” or “forging handmade spiritual armor” find an eager audience? Will the Ladies decide to cover the “Emoji Standard Version” of the Bible? And what exactly does it mean to be the graduate of an “accreditedited” online spiritual memes certification program?   Disclaimer: This episode is satire, Trish is a fictional character, and none of the URLs or Instagram accounts mentioned in the episode are real. Enjoy.  Click here to read movie reviews by Pastor Ted Giese (mentioned in the episode) or to enjoy previous Bri's Radio Theatre episodes.   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.

Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome Julianna Shults to the Leading Ladies interview series, in which they seek to celebrate and learn from Lutheran women in notable positions of influence in the church and the world.     Julianna Shults is a fellow Lutheran lady and rostered Director of Christian Education (DCE), currently serving as program manager of resources and leadership for LCMS Youth Ministry. Previously, she served in congregational youth and family ministry and at the helm of the LCMS's Lutheran Young Adult Corps. She is co-author of Relationships Count: Engaging and Retaining Millennials and Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry (CPH), and she co-hosts the KFUO podcast End Goals.     Click to learn more about LCMS Youth Ministry, the LCMS Youth Gathering (registration opens November 1), or the End Goals podcast from KFUO.  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 achieving “wildly important goals,” she covers how to:   Identify and focus on life goals that are “wildly important” — and worth going after wholeheartedly  Act on “lead measures” of progress while tracking that progress through “lag measures”  Keep a “compelling scoreboard” to help you visualize and celebrate every small achievement   Create a “cadence of accountability” to keep you honest, on pace, and moving forward  “If you made ONE change in behavior, habits, schedules, what would it be that changes the course of your life?” Sarah challenges Erin and Sarah in this episode, adding later, “This is supposed to be a winnable game, but also a really high-stakes game.”  To dig more deeply into the material covered in this episode, check out The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling.  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.

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 time. It will become thickened (similar to yogurt, but not nearly as thick as Greek yogurt) and delicious. Note: If your kitchen is too cold, it won't thicken.   Resources referenced:  Accounts of St. Monica:  St Monica – The Patron Saint of Alcoholics & Mothers! (bishoysblog.com)  St. Monica - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online  Saint Monica - Wikipedia  Recipe for Roman puls porridge:  Romans in Britain - Recipe for Puls Fabata (Fava bean porridge) (romanobritain.org)  Recipe for Roman bread:  How to make Roman bread: a Roman bread recipe (vita-romae.com)  Aqueducts and Leviathans! Want to play a fun game of Aqueducts and Leviathans? Download the PDF Aqueducts and Leviathans Board Game 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.

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.