A collaborative ministry of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Diocese of The Episcopal Church.
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To be announced..

What is a Lay Worship Leader?

​The Authorized Lay Worship Leader... leads a gathered community of Lutherans in worship, according to the practices of that congregation and the ELCA.  This may include entire leadership for the worship service, or providing a reading of the Gospel lesson and bringing the proclaimed word in the form of a sermon. Lay Worship Leaders may be contacted by congregations beyond their community or conference, but within the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod for service. Lay Worship Leaders do not provide the Sacraments or counseling as a part of this ministry.

2021 Course Offerings

ALWL Instruction - Worship & Liturgy course



June 19, 2021
June 26, 2021
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church,
207 State Street, Oil City PA

Rev.Dr. Sandra Jones, Teaching
 The Northwestern Pennsylvania Institute for Ministry Education is a collaborative ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA.  It was established in 2008 to encourage and enable partnerships to provide the resources necessary to prepare persons for ministry. Click here for Resources for Leaders Course Offerings (Eps)
These courses are offered for:
  • Any persons interested in deeper theological and biblical studies
  • Authorized Lay Worship Leaders or Licensed Leaders’ instruction or continuing education
  • Persons seeking commissioning, consecration, or ordination .
  • (Entrance into official denominational programs or prior contact with synod/diocesan personnel is required to enroll for this purpose.) 
Registration Information:Costs and course requirements for satisfactory completion are determined by the level of participation:
  • Level 1   For any person interested in deeper theological and biblical studies = $50.00
  • Level 2   For Authorized Lay Worship Leaders or Licensed Leaders’ instruction or continuing education = cost to be covered by the synod/diocese
  • Level 3   For full credit required for commissioning, consecration, or ordination programs = $600.00 (Full or partial scholarships are available per need/upon request.)
Textbook(s) or other materials will be the cost of the student.

New Testament Foundations
​with Bishop Emeritus Rev. Dr. Ralph Jones

This course is for ministry candidates who have been entranced into the candidacy process by their church body. For those who are in discernment, the process of application, or other circumstances, please contact Pr. Sandra Jones for conversation before registration. ([email protected])
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​[email protected]
814-589-1638 home
814-493-4708 cell/text
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April  10, 2021
May 1, 2021
Session 1
Introductory Material Reading: pp. 1-58; 171-186
Session 3
​Pauline Letters (Part 2)
Reading:  pp. 81-90; 125-135 as well as Romans, Colossians, Ephesians, and Thessalonians 2
Session 2
​Pauline Letters (Part 1)
Reading:  pp. 59-80 as well as Thessalonians 1, Corinthians 1 & 2, Galatians, Philippians, and Philemon
Session 4
Synoptic Gospels
                Reading:  pp. 91-124 as well as Mark, Matthew, Luke, and Acts
May 15, 2021
June 12, 2021
Session 5
Johannine Literature
    Reading:  pp. 145-162
as well as John and John 1, 2, & 3
Session 7
Revelation
 Reading:  pp. 163-170
as well as Revelation
Session 6
Catholic Letters
Reading:  pp. 137-144 as well as Hebrews, Peter 1 & 2, James, and Jude
Session 8
Pastoral Epistles
  Reading:  p. 136
as well as Timothy 1 & 2, and Titus
​Evaluation— Students in the course will be awarded a final grade of A (distinguished progress), B (normal progress), C (unacceptable progress—work must be revised and resubmitted), or F (failure—course must be repeated) based on the following criteria--
  • Class participation:  students are expected to attend all class sessions, complete all reading assignments, and to actively participate in class discussions (25% of grade).
  • A final exam (75% of grade).

Required Text--
 
Fortress Introduction to the New Testament (Paperback) by Gerd Theissen (2003)
 
Recommended— (At least one of the following would be an excellent resource for your personal library)
 
Introducing the New Testament (Second Edition) by Mark Allan Powell (2018) Baker Academic
 
An Introduction to the New Testament by Raymond Brown (1997) Yale University Press
 
The New Testament in Its World by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird (2019) Zondervan Academic
 
 
Schedule— We will meet in person on the dates above at the synod office 9:30 am – 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm – 3:30pm. 
 
If we are not able to meet in person, we will conduct the sessions through Zoom.  Sessions 1, 3, 5, and 7 would be held on the above dates (Saturdays) 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.  Sessions 2, 4, 6, and 8 would be held the following days (Sundays) 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
 
Registration – Contact Pr. Sandra Jones by email ([email protected]) or at the NWPA Synod office (814-589-7660).
Fee -- $600.00 For financial assistance, please contact Pr. Sandra Jones (NWPA Synod) or the Diocesan office (Episcopal Dioceses). Students are responsible for the purchase and cost of textbook(s), other resources, and travel.
​God might be calling God’s people to examine what has a claim on our attention. Where is our energy being drawn? – Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton
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