BISHOP INSTALLATION: The Rev. Paul Egertson of...

BISHOP INSTALLATION: The Rev. Paul Egertson of Thousand Oaks will be installed Jan. 29 in Granada Hills as the new bishop of the Los Angeles-based synod, or region, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Egertson, 59, who taught at Cal Lutheran University and was a part-time pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in North Hollywood, was elected to the post in November by a synod convention.

The Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, presiding bishop of the 5.2-million-member denomination, will preside at the installation service at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church.

Theologian Krister Stendahl, bishop emeritus of Stockholm and an emeritus professor at Harvard Divinity School, will preach the sermon. Today, Stendahl is beginning a 10-day stay as a distinguished visiting professor on the Cal Lutheran campus.

SANCTUARY RE-ENTRY: Members of the San Fernando First Presbyterian Church will bring their weekly services back into their sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sunday for the first time since the Northridge earthquake.

After the temblor caused $100,000 in damage last January, the congregation met for several months at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Fernando, then moved its services to the repaired Presbyterian fellowship hall.

With church walls retrofitted and plastered, stained glass windows replaced and the organ fixed, the Presbyterian congregation, led by the Rev. Otis R. Cross, will celebrate the return to its place of worship, joined on the special occasion by clergy and members of St. Mark’s.

SCHULWEIS’ BOOK: Perhaps you didn’t read Rabbi Harold Schulweis’ “For Those Who Can’t Believe: Overcoming the Obstacles to Faith” (HarperCollins), but you would listen to a lecture by the senior rabbi of Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom on the same topic.

Because of separate invitations from other Jewish groups, three chances are soon in the offing:

* On Wednesday, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at Adat Ari El Synagogue, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. A $3 fee. (818 766-9426).

* On Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at Kol Tikvah Synagogue, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. No fee. (818 348-0670).

* On Feb. 6, at 8 p.m., at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air, as part of the eight-week Jewish Spectator Forum on Contemporary Issues that begins Monday. The series costs $127. Call (310) 476-9777 for more information.

JAZZ SERVICE: The Nightblooming Jazzmen will play Dixieland at the 10 a.m. worship service and hymn sing on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Encino, 4963 Balboa Blvd.

Pastor G. Daniel Clark said the band has been regularly featured at Sunday morning hymn sings at jazz festivals. Nightblooming Jazzmen also appears at a dozen Southern California churches each year. For more information, call (818) 788-1147.

HEALING WORKSHOP: After leading the 11 a.m. service Sunday at West Valley Unity Church, 18300 Strathern St., Reseda, the Revs. Margaret Fuller Hiller and David Hiller will teach a three-hour workshop, “The Miracle of Healing Through Sacred Ceremony,” starting at 2 p.m.

A church news release said Margaret Hiller, who holds a master’s degree in therapeutic psychology, has “experienced paranormal realities since childhood” and her husband, who has a master’s in counseling, has studied with spiritual healers. The workshop cost is $20. For more information, call (818) 345-6011.

GORDIS TALKS: Rabbi Daniel Gordis, vice president of the University of Judaism, will speak on the quest for spirituality in Judaism while scholar-in-residence Friday night and next Saturday morning at Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. For details, call the synagogue at (818) 360-1881.

LAY LEADERS: In cooperation with the Cantors Assembly, the University of Judaism continuing education department is offering a course to teach and certify lay people to lead religious services at which cantors do not usually officiate.

A reading knowledge of music is not required. Cantor Jeremy Lipton of Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, will teach the eight-session classes, which begin Tuesday night, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuition is $118, although partial scholarships are available. For information or to register, call (310) 476-9777, Ext. 246.