The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge from KFUO Radio

#334. Hymnastics 2026: Katie & Lisa Go for Gold!

In honor of the world’s most prestigious winter sporting event, the Lutheran Ladies have embarked upon their own Winter Hymnastics series. Throughout this series, they’ll laugh, they’ll cry, they’ll sweat (sometimes 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 (surprise!) (bonus!) third of four episodes, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome fellow Lutheran ladies and ardent #hymnnerds Katie Schuermann and Lisa Clark to the Lounge. Both Katie and Lisa will be keynote presenters at the upcoming fifth annual Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop scheduled for February 28 on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. After offering the Ladies an enticing preview of their workshop presentations, Katie and Lisa embark on a few “hymnastics” challenges of their own. Can they identify — from lyrics alone — whether a hymn was written by a male or female hymnwriter? How will they fare when put on the spot with a lightning-fast popcorn interview and a challenging game of “this or that”? Come for the inspiration — stay for the fun! — as you enjoy this lovely, lively conversation. Listeners within driving distance of Saint Louis, don’t miss your chance to see Katie Schuermann and Lisa Clark in person at the Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop on Saturday, February 28. The cost is $15 to attend; registration closes February 24. Learn more at csl.edu/event/prevallet-hymn-writing-workshop-2026.For those who aren’t local, the hymn festival following the workshop will be livestreamed on March 1. Learn more at csl.edu/event/a-hymn-festival-featuring-the-hymns-of-lisa-clark-and-katie-schuermann.Katie Schuermann is an author and storyteller whose books include the Anthems of Zion series from CPH, The Saints of Whistle Grove (a Lutheran Ladies’ Book Club pick), and most recently, the Creed series, including The Big Father and His Little Boy and The Beloved Son and His Brother. Dr. Lisa M. Clark is senior editor of curriculum resources at CPH and one of the LCMS’s most beloved and prolific hymn writers. Find a complete list of her available novels, devotionals, Christmas programs, picture books, choral music, and more at 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.

#333. HYMNASTICS 2026: Hymnnathlon Team All-Around

In honor of the world’s most prestigious winter sporting event, the Lutheran Ladies have embarked upon their own Winter Hymnastics series. Over three — make that four — consecutive episodes, they’ll laugh, they’ll cry, they’ll sweat (sometimes 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 second of four episodes, Erin challenges Sarah and Rachel to a series of hymn-related challenges, which they tackle together as a team. Can they name the hymn based on a single measure of the tune? Speed read lyrics without one stumble? Remember every single word to a few beloved hymns? Choose hymns that are objectively beautiful in every way? Joining the Ladies halfway through are celebrity judges Deaconess Cara Patton (coordinator for LCMS Worship Ministry) and Kantor Christina Roberts (Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan). 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.

#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.