The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

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.

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.