Course Content

with options for Deeper Learning

    1. What to Expect in this Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Course Learning Resources

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Introduction to Foundations of Lutheran Worship

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Going Deeper

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Introduction to the "Gathering"

    2. The "Gathering," with Bishop Kreiss

    3. Reflect, Respond, Discuss

    4. Planning and Leading Worship "Gathering"

    1. Introduction to the "Word"

    2. The "Word," with Bishop Kreiss

    3. Reflect, Respond, Discuss

    4. Planning and Leading Worship "Word"

    5. Going Deeper

    1. Introduction to the "Meal"

    2. The "Meal," with Bishop Kreiss

    3. Reflect, Respond, Discuss

    4. Participating in "The Meal"

    1. Introduction to the "Sending"

    2. The "Sending," with Bishop Kreiss

    3. Reflect, Respond, Discuss

    4. Planning and Leading the "Sending"

    5. Going Deeper

    1. ELW Resources for Other Worship Service

    2. Service of the Word

    3. Morning Prayer (downloadable)

    4. Evening Prayer (downloadable)

    5. Night Prayer (downloadable)

    6. Copyright Guidelines

About this course

  • Teaching videos and audio presentations explore the fundamentals of Christian worship.
  • Optional book study with reflection opportunities to challenge your thinking about the essential elements of Christian worship.

Bishop Donald Kreiss

Bishop, Southeast Michigan Synod

The Rev. Dr. Donald P. Kreiss, Detroit, serves as the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Kreiss has served as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod since 2011. Prior to becoming bishop, he served as pastor of Antioch Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, Mich., from 1999 to 2011, and King of Glory Lutheran Church in Flushing, Mich., from 1992 to 1997. The bishop earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1983 and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1992. The teaching videos for this course are licensed through Church Next, an online Christian learning platform.

Rev. Kari Webb

Director of Digital Community and Learning

Former educator and lifelong learner, Kari bears witness to the persistence of God's call to church ministry. Kari took the "long path" toward ordination. But God doesn't pay much attention to age, career or timelines. Kari is drawn to the story of Nicodemus in John's gospel. He asks Jesus "How can anyone be born after having grown old?" and Jesus spins a tale about wind and water and Spirit. Pastor Webb is beyond joyful that the wind of God's Spirit has brought her into service in the South Dakota Synod where, like Nicodemus, she continues to ask with wonder, "How can these things be?"