The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

#332. HYMNASTICS 2026: Fanny Crosby Wins the Gold

In honor of the world’s most prestigious sporting event, the Lutheran Ladies are launching their own Winter Hymnastics series. Over the next three episodes, they’ll laugh, they’ll cry, they’ll sweat (literally), and above all, they’ll sing as they celebrate some of the greatest hymns and hymnwriters past, present, and even yet to come. In this Story Time episode, Sarah examines the life of the MVP of nineteenth-century hymn writing herself: Fanny J. Crosby. Though she wasn’t a Lutheran lady (and though the Ladies can find zero evidence of her hymns appearing in Lutheran hymnals), this dear sister in Christ wrote nearly 9000 hymns and Gospel songs, more than1000 secular poems, 4 books of poetry, two best-selling autobiographies, at least five cantatas, and more during her lifetime, easily clinching the title of “most prolific lady hymnwriter of all time.” Learn about her childhood blindness, her rigorous biblical education, her charitable works and political advocacy, her unusual marriage, her modest lifestyle, and her ongoing legacy as Sarah narrates the inspiring story of her 94 years of life. It's a WINTER HYMNASTICS "WRITE THIS:" Challenge!!‼️SUBMIT BY MIDNIGHT 2/12/26 AT forms.office.com/r/1T4PVpK7dM.‼️Write an original hymn stanza in Common Meter (think Amazing Grace). Pick an Uncommon Occasion (a saint day or other exciting day in the church year) and write a hymn for it! Let us know what public domain tune you'd like us to use. Find Common Meter (86 86) tunes on page 1007 of Lutheran Service Book. We will sing or read these in the third Hymnastics episode, recording on February 13.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.

#331. Book Club Wrap Up: The Screwtape Letters

In this book club recap conversation, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel talk through one of the most beloved spiritual classics of the modern era: C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters. How does Screwtape offer us a unique perspective on the nature of spiritual warfare? What do we learn about temptations large and small? How does the devil seek to tempt us, in large ways and small? In what way does this book open our eyes to the nature of heavenly (vs. hellish) love and the eternal realities that quietly underly all our earthly experiences? At the end of the episode, Rachel reveals the Ladies’ next book club pick, one that weds three crowd-favorite genres (classic literature, historical fiction, and children’s literature): Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse. 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.

#330. Kitchen Table Talk: The Church Year and Lectionary with Dr. Carl Fickenscher

In this Kitchen Table Talk episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome the Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher for a friendly and informative conversation all about the church year. What is the church year? Where did our liturgical calendar come from? How do the lectionary, seasons, and festivals of the church year all work together to proclaim Christ and strengthen faith? What’s the difference between the one-year and three-year lectionaries? How does the church calendar intersect with, diverge from, and transcend the secular calendar? The Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher is professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He is also the author of Looking Forward to Sunday Morning: Reflections on the Church Year (new from CPH) and guest of the weekly “Looking Forward to Sunday Morning” series on Issues, Etc. 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.

#329. Iron Ladle Challenge: SOUP.

There’s a chill in the air on this midwinter day — and a warm, mouth-watering aroma wafting from the kitchen. That’s right: the Lutheran Ladies are brewing up savory pots of soup in an all-new Iron Ladle Challenge! Erin leads off with a Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) that leaves her co-hosts drooling. Rachel then shares a trio of seasonally appropriate soups: seafood chowder for holiday decadence, “feel-better soup” for post-holiday recovery, and curried butternut soup (AKA sunshine soup) for midwinter malaise. Finally, Sarah shares her foolproof formula for improving the perfect, healthful (Instant Pot) soup every time. Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto) (From Erin)Serves 4-6 Ingredients:1# salmon fillet 2T butter 1 large leek, sliced .25# mushrooms, thinly sliced 8 cups chicken stock or bone broth, divided 1 jar clam juice .5# russet potatoes, peeled and diced 1 lg carrot, sliced 1t whole allspice Fish sauce for salt .5# bag frozen kale (or 1 large bunch of fresh kale) (spinach is too delicate) 10g fresh dill, finely chopped, divided 4-8 tablespoons heavy cream Instructions:Heat 4 cups of stock and gently poach the salmon fillets until just cooked. Remove the salmon to a plate and reserve the salmon broth. When fillets are cool cool, remove and discard the skin. Meanwhile, melt butter in a soup pot and saute the leeks and mushrooms for ~10 minutes. Add all of the stock (4 c from salmon and 4 c remaining) to the pan with the leeks and mushrooms, along with the potatoes, carrots, allspice, and half of the fresh dill. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender. Add the kale and return to a simmer. Stir in a couple of dashes of fish sauce for salt (less than 1 teaspoon). Add the salmon pieces to the soup and gently heat until warmed through, just a few minutes.  Add cream, the remaining dill, and salt and pepper to taste. If Freezing (you will use less stock initially) Heat 4 c stock and gently poach the salmon fillets until just cooked. Remove the salmon to a plate and reserve the salmon broth. When fillets are cool cool, remove and discard the skin. Meanwhile, melt butter in a soup pot and saute the leeks and mushrooms for ~10 minutes. Add the 4 c salmon broth to the pot with the leeks and mushrooms, along with the potatoes, carrots, and allspice. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender. Add a couple of dashes of fish sauce (less than 1 teaspoon). Strain the vegetables, reserving broth until cool. Divide among 4 freezer containers: Poached salmon Frozen kale and dill. 2oz clam juice/container Vegetables (kale, mushrooms, potatoes, carrots Broth (start with ¾ cup, and distribute the remaining) To serve, heat on the stove until hot, adding a 1 cup container of bone broth to fill out the rest of the broth. While soup is reheating, put a small puddle of cream (1-2 tablespoons) in soup bowl and slowly add hot soup. Seafood Chowder (From Rachel)HT Cari Haan Saute together over medium heat for approx 5 minutes:1 stick of butter1/2 onion - diced1 tsp garlic salt or powder1/2 tsp thymeMix in:1/2 cup flour1 cup half 'n' half2 cups milk4 oz (half block) of cream cheese (softened in microwave)1 can cream of potato soup1/2 tsp black pepper8 oz. can of minced clams (with juice)8 oz can of tiny shrimp (with juice)16 oz of flaked crab broken up in desired sized pieces (I use the artificial crab meat)16 oz of frozen salad-sized (extra small) shrimp(May add milk as needed for desired consistency . . . will need to do this when heating leftovers) Heat until hot throughout. Serve with oyster crackers and shredded Cheddar cheese. Note: May substitute or add additional seafood as desired. The more you put in, the tastier it gets. :) Rachel's Feel Better SoupNote: quantities are approximate. I rarely measure anything for this recipe. Saute in 2 T olive oil:1 lb. diced chicken1 c diced celery1 c diced carrotsCook until chicken is browned and vegetables are beginning to soften. Add 2-4 cups chopped cabbage and/or kale. Cook lightly. Add 4-6 cups chicken broth or an equivalent combo of bullion and water. Add salt, thyme, and turmeric to taste. Add starch of your choice: barley, rice, or noodles. Cook through. Serve with warm tortillas or crusty bread. Curried Butternut Squash Soup (From Rachel) Halve, remove seeds, and oven roast one butternut squash, upside down in a little water. (350 oven for about an hour or until soft throughout)Cool slightly, then use a tablespoon to remove squash from peelsUse blender, immersion blender, or foley mill to puree squash In saucepan, combine squash puree with chicken broth (approx. 2 cups), 1 can unsweetened coconut milk, and 1-2 cubes of Golden Curry flavor. Cook over medium heat until all ingredients are blended and soup is hot. Do not boil. Non-curry option: Use whole milk instead of coconut milk, and flavor with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, or other favorite seasoning. Sarah's Instant Pot Soup FormulaSingle serving4(ish)oz meat (beef, chicken, salmon, etc)8oz baby carrots4oz green beans or peas (or other legume)50g cabbage (or a handful lol)2oz butternut squash1 Tbs olive oil1 cup water2 tsp Celtic gray salt (or to taste)black pepperBrown meat (not necessary with fish) in olive oil.Place all ingredients in Instant Pot. Steam for 0 minutes (will vary by IP make/model)Instant pressure release.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.

#328. Hymn Sing with Sarah: Close of Service Hymns

Following up on a promise made early last year, Sarah’s turning to the end of her Lutheran Service Book to sing — and get a lot better acquainted with — all eight “Close of Service” hymns in this all-new Hymn Sing episode. Hymns featured include “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” (LSB 922), Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (LSB 924), “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise” (LSB 917), “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer” (LSB 918), and “Abide, O Dearest Jesus” (LSB 919). Get to know the stories behind the hymns you love as you sing along with resident #hymnnerd Sarah. And, stay tuned to the very end for a very special treat from Lutheran Lady Erin Bode and the Themba Girls.As always, to learn more about these and other hymns in Lutheran Service Book, check out Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns, available from CPH. Links mentioned in this episode: Conversation with Benjamin Kolodziej on Friedrich Lochner — The Coffee Hour, kfuo.org. Battle for the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheran History, Episode 1. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie — The Coffee Hour, kfuo.org The Themba Girls with the Erin Bode Group, Album Recordings —YouTube Close of Service Hymn Poll in the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook Group Copyright Information:Lutheran Service Book 922, “Go My Children, with My Blessing” Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919-2008. (c) 1983 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission.Tune: Welsh, 18th century. Public Domain.Recording from The Themba Girls and the Erin Bode Group, used with permission. Erin Bode, lead vocals Senzy Khumalo, lead vocals Adam Maness, guitar 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.