Deaconess Kim Bueltmann, serving the Lord in Germany, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Weihnachten (Christmas) in Deutschland (Germany), including some history about Leipzig and Chemnitz where she lives and works, how Advent and Christmas are observed in Germany, what Christkindlesmarkts are like in Germany, how the influx of refugees has shaped the local traditions how Bach is a part of local traditions, and traditional Christmas foods. Learn more about Deaconess Kim and how to support her work at lcms.org/bueltmann.

Chaplain Steven Hokana — Assistant Director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, and Lee Hinton — Administrative Coordinator for LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their own time in the armed forces, how they became interested in military service, what deployment is like, how Christmas is observed during deployment, how Chaplains made an incredible difference while deployed, and the path to becoming an LCMS Chaplain in the Armed Forces. Learn more about LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces at lcms.org/armedforces.

Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.

Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.

Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.

Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:

1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.

2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.

3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.

To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Let's sing Christmas Carols! Friends from the International Center Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Katie Rickords, Prince Solomon, Rev. Sean Daenzer, Deaconess Cara Patton, Anne Gonzalez, Courtney Zalmonoff, Peter Slayton, and Aubrey Blank join us live in studio to sing some of our favorite carols. Sing along in your Lutheran Service Book! View the caroling live on Facebook at facebook.com/KFUORadio/videos/371244222228616.

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 14:1-25.

Keeping in mind the most excellent way that is love, St. Paul instructs the Corinthians concerning their use of prophecy and speaking in tongues. He holds up prophecy as the more helpful gift, because prophecy builds up the entire church, while speaking miraculously in a known foreign language benefits only the individual, unless someone translates. As the Corinthians seek to use the gifts bestowed by the Spirit within their public worship services, they should consider how they can benefit the whole congregation. If an outsider witnessed the foreign languages, the scene would appear only to be confusion and only add to his judgment. However, prophecy would serve to proclaim the Word of God that would bring the unbeliever to repentance and faith in Christ.

“Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on the Sundays in Advent to talk about the Gospel Reading for the Third Sunday in Advent. Why is John the Baptist so important in Advent? Why does Jesus ask questions when He already knows the answers? What do all of these miracles mean?

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

Read full chapter

1. Matthew 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
2. Matthew 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man…
3. Matthew 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Steven Wolters, KFUO Radio listener and donor, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about when he first began listening to KFUO Radio, how it became a regular practice for him and his son, how our programs him help him in his daily vocations, and how listening to KFUO Radio has made a difference for his family. If you'd like to become a supporter like Steven, visit kfuo.org/give.

Deaconess Carol Halter, serving the Lord as an evangelistic missionary among the Chinese people in Hong Kong since 1981, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what she's experienced over her many years on the mission field in Hong Kong, the culture where she serves, the ways she can share Jesus' love to the people in Hong Kong, and her experience working in the Cantonese language. Learn more about Deaconess Halter and how to support her work at lcms.org/halter.

Deaconess Amy Rast — Associate Director of Deaconess Formation at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Deaconess Dr. Gillian M. Bond — Director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, and Deaconess Kristin Wassilak — Program Leader for Deaconess Studies and Interim Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities at Concordia University Chicago, join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about their journeys to serving as Deaconesses, how they've been able to serve in unique ways as Deaconesses, and wisdom for women considering diaconal formation. Learn more about these respective programs at ctsfw.edu, csl.edu, and cuchicago.edu.

Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.

Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.

Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.

Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:

1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.

2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.

3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.

To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Dr. Jeff Held, Assistant Dean of Music and Artistic Director of the Concordia PBS Broadcast at Concordia University Irvine (CUI), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the annual Christmas festivities with the arts at CUI, the preparations for the annual PBS Christmas Concert broadcast, the music that listeners will experience, and how this broadcast fits into the arts programs at CUI. Find details and local PBS broadcast details at cui.edu/Christmas.

Jennifer Nitchman, flutist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Christmas celebrations happening with the St. Louis Symphony, including the Gospel Christmas Concert, Mercy Holiday Celebration, two film scores (with films!), and the New Year's Eve Celebration. Find details for all of these events at slso.org or call the Box Office at (314) 534-1700.