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Church Presentation: Ultimate Guide To Software And Best Ideas

All the preparation has gone into ensuring this week’s worship service and church presentation goes off without a hitch: The music is selected, the coffee is brewing, and communion is set up. But once members file in and get ready for the gathering to start, you realize something’s off — your tech is acting up…again.  […]

illustration of a laptop projecting the sacraments for church presentation

All the preparation has gone into ensuring this week’s worship service and church presentation goes off without a hitch: The music is selected, the coffee is brewing, and communion is set up. But once members file in and get ready for the gathering to start, you realize something’s off — your tech is acting up... again . 

After a few fits and starts, you and your team try to get the projector to start working, but there’s no use. It won’t be happening this morning. So you ask members to sing from memory and use the Bibles in front of their seats to follow along with scripture readings and Bible verses.

If this situation sounds familiar, you’re not alone. With the rise of technology in worship gatherings, every church leader and pastor is trying to figure out how to use it to their advantage. In fact, according to Faith Communities Today , 52.9% of congregations use visual projection on a big screen during worship . 

But one small glitch can derail a Sunday morning service, not to mention present church staff or volunteers with another hassle they don’t have the capacity to deal with. 

That’s where church presentation software can help. This article will help you learn more about what church presentation is and how to select church presentation software for worship at your next Sunday gathering.

What Is Church Presentation?

A church presentation, or worship presentation, is a visual guide for the worship gathering. A worship presentation helps attendees understand what is going on and what to expect throughout the service. It typically includes a projection of sermon notes, Bible verses, church announcements, or song lyrics. 

There are a lot of additional elements that can go into a service with an engaging church presentation. These elements include photos, videos, slideshows, and other church media.

A worship gathering can feel disjointed and unorganized without a solid church presentation plan. But, like many things in life, if a worship presentation is done well, it should feel so seamless that congregants don’t even realize it's there.

If a gathering with a smooth worship service sounds like a dream of yours, continue reading onto the next section. That’s where we’ll discuss specifics about worship presentation software and how it can help streamline your next gathering and help you clearly communicate with members.

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What Is Church Presentation Software?

Church presentation software, or worship software, is the technology tool that enables a church presentation to be streamed or projected onto a big screen or played on TV screens throughout the church building.

Without church presentation software, information like a graphic, a song lyric, or an excerpt of scripture wouldn’t be accessible to the entire congregation. 

Before church presentation software, each element of a church service was individualized: song lyrics were in song books, Bible verses were in a hardback or unbound Bible, and announcements were in paper bulletins. Now, with worship software , all of that can be simplified into one place, making it easier for members to participate and join in worship together.

Unsure about the cross-functionality of worship software with your computer? Worship software is compatible with both Windows and Mac technologies and can include additional tools like a PowerPoint presentation, Google Slides, and notes apps.

You might be wondering if you can still use church presentation software while keeping some forms of paper resources like bulletins and programs. Church presentation software is still a benefit to your service, even if you don’t entirely replace your traditional service resources. 

By using church presentation software to display some of the items you’d print in a bulletin, you can print less paper and be more eco-friendly while also reaching younger generations through modern technology. 

You can also use it to flex your congregation’s creativity and adapt for the future. According to Pew Research, millennials are more likely to own a smartphone and less likely to own a Bible than previous generations. But more on those specific benefits later. First, let’s learn about different worship presentation software and what each one can help you with.

The Best Church Presentation Software

While you might be interested in getting some church presentation software, the cost is likely a big factor in your decision. We’ve compiled a list of affordable and/or free church presentation software with various features for you to browse from and see which works best for your church and worship setting.

  • OpenSong : Best free, open-source church presentation software
  • OpenLP : Best free church presentation software for Linux and FreeBSD
  • Song of Songs : Best free church worship presentation software
  • FreeWorship : Best for small churches
  • Presenter : Best for large churches
  • Slipity : Best Mac and iOS users 
  • Praisenter : Best for lyrics projection
  • Quelea : Best for sermon note integrations
  • SlideDog : Best for simple stage display support
  • Big Screen : Best for multilingual Bible verses

Learn more about church presentation software here, or try one of these other lists for software that meets your needs:

  • If you’re using a Mac, you might want worship presentation software that works best on Macs
  • Free church presentation software , if you’re on a budget

More Articles

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Now that you've taken some time to learn about which church presentation software platforms and features might work best for your congregation, it’s time to play around with how you’d implement it in your specific church setting. 

It’s important to remember there’s no wrong or right way to do this - a lot of it is trial and error and troubleshooting with staff to see what works best. But we’ve come up with a helpful list of church presentation ideas and tips that can help you get the process started.

Promote member involvement and creativity. You can customize your presentation templates with your church’s brand, logo, and design elements. If you know anyone in your congregation passionate about design, invite them to join the tech team to create the worship slides for the gathering. This can make the slide background feel more creative and personalized. 

illustration of a sample church slide with the church's name and the theme of the slides

Recognize that less is more. Like most technology platforms, people don’t want to read a lot when looking at a screen. Use church presentations to hit the high points with important information, but keep the word count to a minimum to ensure engagement with audience members. 

Integrate your software technology. Integrate your church presentation software with other platforms like OneNote or create a PowerPoint presentation, so you can make presenting your sermon even more hassle-free. 

Use it to build a tech-savvy congregation. Worship presentation software doesn’t just have to be about a slide and song lyrics. You can use it as a springboard into exploring other kinds of digital church technology like the ChurchCenter app and other free resources, which can help you connect with your congregation from anywhere.

Remember that technology is the church’s friend. When used in the correct context, technology can reach others that are usually unreachable, connect with those we care about, and better engage with the future generation of the Church. 

Where To Go From Here 

Implementing church presentation software has the potential to simplify a gathering with streamlined media, create connections, improve church communication , and more. Does your church use worship software? If so, what kind? Let us know in the comments below! 

There’s always more to learn when it comes to incorporating technology and media into your congregation. For more information, read this article about technology and the church , or this article about the benefits of technology for churches .

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10 Basic Do’s And Don’ts With Church Presentations

Jeremy Smith

Churches have fully integrated with technology within the church services with the sound equipment, projectors or televisions, and computers. Of course, this has created a culture around how to use this technology within a church service. Whether it is the worship team using PowerPoint so that the church is in unison with their praises to the Lord or a video is shown of missionaries working overseas with a Compassion International camp with a hundred students to provide them with food, education, and the love and message of Christ, we have to ensure that our presentations are effective and done well.

Here are some do's and don'ts to make for a better presentation.

1) Do Pick The Presentation Software Best For Your Church

Some people rely very little on presentation software and a sole volunteer to run everything from sound to the projector to the lights. Anything more than PowerPoint would be beyond the budget and many times skill set for the church and so the Office Suite is perfect. Other churches are looking for precision that can be found in MediaShout with its pixel by pixel management or flexibility and easy of use through ProPresenter that allows you to create a pool of slides for quick uses. Whatever you decide to go with, do not just purchase it because it was the cheapest or someone used it once. Do your research, know your needs and resources, and have a plan.

2) Don't Be The Lone Ranger

Even on a team, leaders can have a lone ranger mentality that they have to plan everything and become the lynchpin to everything. Great leaders know how to hold the reins loosely, delegate well, and avoid micromanaging in places you should leave alone. The last thing a tech person needs is for someone with little to no experience to direct on a foundational level when their time could be served elsewhere and the person is left to do what they were asked to do in the first place. Trust in your team and make everything you do great.

3) Do Trainings and Conferences As A Team

People are asked to be on your team for a reason, because they have some kind of willingness and probably skill. That being said, we all should be life-long learners in what we are doing well. There are great trainings and conferences out there for church teams for technology, church presentations, and doing Sunday well. Even better, there is great material and experience out there to do this locally. Encourage and even expect all of your team, staff and volunteers to jump on board and continue to do what you do better each time.

4) Don't Write Full Paragraphs On Slides

Presentation software is suppose to be something that enhances the presentation or service of the presenters. While the worship will have the full lyrics up for the songs to be song correctly, the person giving the sermon or presentation needs to recognize that they are playing by a different set of rules. Your slides should be minimal at best, offer a visual description or the images you are trying to convey, and leave the storytelling to the presenter. You are painting a picture and full sentences on the slide will take away and distract from it.

5) Do Use Different Mediums

People have different bents to learning. The traditional written and auditory ways of teaching are quite limited within the set of learning styles including tactile, kinesthetics, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Use videos, skits, images to enhance a story, art, and silence to allow for reflection. Sometimes that involves a great tech team and the right gadgets and other times it just needs a good artist with a canvas, some background music, and a spotlight. Do not complicate it, but make sure you use all of the learning styles.

6) Don't Overuse Cheesey Clipart

Cheesey clipart out of Microsoft Word or online somewhere can be fun, but it can also be distracting. What is the focus suppose to be on, that you are sharing the joy of Christ for the community or that you have a yellow ball with a face that is smiling and overused in high school presentations? At the same time, remember that there is a bit of branding happening here. If that is of importance for you or your ministry, cheesey clipart will give off a high school level impression. A simple change or bit of investment can go a long way. Instead use photos of people you are directly ministering to or congregation members and lose the clipart.

7) Do Have A Backup Plan

Technology is a great tool and should be used to make your sermon, song, or skit go from good to great. Lights, sound, and videos can make this happen. But sometimes things go wrong that is out of your control, whether the Internet is out on Sunday, a projector bulb goes out and cannot be replaced for a week, or your microphone batteries die. This means that when volunteers and staff teams meet, discussions of how to handle these situations allow for people to be proactive instead of reactive which lends to a quicker and more efficient overall job.

8) Don't Steal Images Without Proper Citations

If you have any kind of investment with church presentations, you know about Christian Copyright Licensing International or CCLI for all of the lyrics that you put up on the screen and you may also know about Christian Video Licensing International that is needed for any full length videos or short clips that are used in front of an audience. That being said, we all fall under the Creative Commons License for all media that is used and proper citation or limited use is expected for all media you use that you get from online, including all images, audio, and documents. As Christians in this modern world, we must tread faithfully to Christ and do everything without reproach.

9) Do Prepare

It is one thing to know what songs you are going to sing, main verses you are going to preach from, and when your part starts, but mistakes can easily still leak in to the system. Repetition needs to happen for effectiveness and better presentations. You can have your worship team on the right schedule, but if you do not practice with the tech team, you could be making some major mistakes in the service. If you incorporate more than just a talk from the pulpit, a skit to compliment it or a video of your missionaries, go over the game plan with everyone that is involved in the whole service, even if it it is an hour before the sermon.

10) Don't Be Bad Storytellers

Christ was never boring. He did not sensationalize so that He could get a headline on the local news, but He also knew that His time was short and He needed to go for the punch. At the same time, He knew how to tell a great parable that would keep people thinking for days, months, and their whole life. We need to know how to tell the story of Christ, our church, and our own personal lives well. People do not connect to presentations with graphs, but do connect their own personal life with stories rich with emotions and memories. Do not manipulate but be great storytellers.

What is another basic do or don't do that is needed for any church?

  • powerpoint for churches
  • presentation

Jeremy Smith

[…] 10 Basic Do’s And Don’ts With Church Presentations – Church Tech Today They are all worth remembering, but the most important thing from my point of view is #10 ‘Don’t Be Bad Storytellers’. […]

I agree with Ray. #10 is the most important, but the others are good to remember as well. Thanks for the post.

Solid list, man. Love it!

This is a good list Jeremy! Best one on the list (from my point of view) is #10… all the others is in the ‘how-to’… The story (or message you are trying to get across) is ultimately the mission. Can you create the ‘entertainment’ factor’? Most people in this world, enjoy a good story, but it needs to be presented greatly… like movies… there are good stories that never get their due exposure because they were poorly presented (bad filming, bad acting, bad lighting, bad language, etc…), then there are the movies that get over exposure because of the ‘entertainment factor’ that resonated the story inside the mind of the crowd.

I fully agree that #10 is so key, of course much of that is not in the hands of the tech department but the people compiling the whole presentation. Our job is to enhance it!

Thanks for the comment!

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Better Church Presentations: Ways to Make Presentations

Better Church Presentations: Ways to Make Presentations

January 21, 2013 by James Cooper

In the first (proper) part of this series about Better Church Presentations , I’ll be taking a brief look at some of the many programs, apps and sites where you can make presentations. I’ll also look at costs, as that’s a big factor for many churches and ministries (and people in general!).

I guess a good place to start is the program that’s now so synonymous with presentations, that we often call them by its name – even if they’re not made using it – PowerPoint.

what is a presentation in church

The orange icon of PP has been the big player in presentations for many a year and it still probably is the biggest player (and is certainly the one you have to make sure your presentations ‘work with’ if you’re showing them on someone else’s computer!).

It’s had many incarnations over the years but with Office 2007 a big change in the design came along; which many, including myself, REALLY didn’t (and still don’t) like! The computer in my church uses PP 2007 and it still take me ages to make any changes, if I need to!!!

PowerPoint comes with many built in templates, but to be honest, most of them are not great design wise!

You can also go online with PowerPoint with the Microsoft Office Web Apps  and there’s a version of Microsoft Office as a mobile app for the Windows 7 Phone.

Platforms: PC, Mac (only available in Microsoft Office for Mac ‘Home and Student’ or ‘Home and Business’), Online, Windows Phone 7

Cost: PC $139.99 (single); $199.99 (in Office ‘Home and Business); Mac $199.99 (in Office ‘Home and Business); Online is free for ‘personal’ use.

‘Impress’ in  OpenOffice  and LibreOffice

what is a presentation in church

Both OpenOffice & LibreOffice are free full ‘Office Suites’ which are compatible with Microsoft Office (mostly, there are some things that don’t fully translate properly but they’re pretty good!).

OpenOffice is now ‘looked after’ by Apache. LibreOffice (which is also open source) is run by a not-for-profit organsation, the document foundation . LibreOffice started as a branch of OpenOffice when the future of OpenOffice looked in doubt a couple of years ago.

The presentation part of both suites is called ‘Impress’. Design wise it’s very much PowerPoint before the Office 2007 redesign and anyone who’s used to using those versions of PP should feel at home with Impress.

It’s pretty full featured, although hasn’t got all the bells and whistles of some presentation software (although that’s not necessarily a bad thing!). However, it doesn’t come with any clipart (also not necessarily a bad thing!).

I use a Mac and use LibreOffice as my office software and it works great for me. Having said that, I make my presentations in something else, in fact the next program we’ll look at!

Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux

Cost: FREE!

what is a presentation in church

Keynote is Apple’s own presentation software (and is Mac only). As I said above I use Keynote and I LOVE IT!

Design wise it’s very ‘Apple’ (i.e. rather lovely to use!) and has all the design features that you’re ever likely to need (including many useful things you don’t find in most other presentation software like ‘instant alpha’ and photo manipulation in the program itself).

Building animations/build ins/build outs is very simple yet powerful in Keynote.

The templates that come with Keynote are all very nice indeed, with nice touches like photo frames and some even have front ‘covers’.

I also use Keynote to do draft layouts for the websites I design as it’s so easy to lay things out. (There’s a great theme to help with this called Keynote Kungfu )

If you’re a Mac user, get Keynote (like as soon as you’ve finished reading this post – it’s that good)!

Although Keynote is Mac only – there are ways you can use it with a PC (as I do!). Keynote can export presentations as ppt files (although some design things like shadows, fades and opacity can be lost). If you’re happy without having any animations and slide transitions, then you can export the slides as individual images (you can also export the slides in ‘build parts’ as well as whole slides) and then either import the images into a very basic PP form or use a PC program like the FastStone Image Viewer  to view the slides.

My church uses FastStone to show the ‘pre service’ slides, which I create in Keynote. (I also then use those slides in the slider on the home page of my church – Minehead Baptist Church )

To have a presentation with the ‘niceness’ on a PC, you can export the presentation as a QuickTime (.mov file) with ‘manual advance’ which works fine on a PC. ( I’ve already covered how you can use Keynote to make motion graphics and export as a movie .)

You can also export presentations as a PDF, with or without ‘builds’ and slide notes, etc.

There’s also an iOS app for iPhones and iPads that comes with a few (nice) themes and allows easy creation of presentations on the move! You can export to a full Keynote file, PPT or PDF and also share/access existing presentations on iCloud.

Platforms: Mac, iOS (5.1 or later)

Cost: Mac $19.99 from the Apple App Store; iOS $9.99 from the iTunes Store

Those are the main players in making presentations in ‘programs’. However, there are now some good ways of making presentations on the web – now downloads needed!

Google Drive – Slides

what is a presentation in church

Slides is part of Google Drive (formally Google Docs). It comes with a selection of basic themes (some nicer than other!) and can do basic animations and transitions.

You can also add image from your computer or your Google Drive.

Presentations can be viewed online or downloaded as pptx, pdf or as images. They can also be published to the web where you get a link like: http://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kr6hv2a1ByPyUMUkL5jfT6sc9-F02MPMyd2C71lBZ1o/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

sliderocket

what is a presentation in church

sliderocket is a very nice online presentation maker. There are different levels from free to rather expensive(!) but even the free ‘Lite’ version comes with some very nice themes and features. The interface is very simple to use but does everything most churches/ministries would need – including recording audio in the browser to go with the presentation.

You can signup with Facebook, a Google ID or good old email & password!

The only limitation that the Lite option really has is that you can only view/publish presentations online – there’s no downloading. However, the presentations are nicely mobile optimised.

Here’s a simple presentation made with sliderocket: http://portal.sliderocket.com/CWQPK/9B697392-BE18-4F4E-8913-2C7EFA063733

Cost: ‘Lite’ Free (basic tools and no offline); ‘Pro’ $24 per user per month (more tools, offline and analytics)

what is a presentation in church

Prezi is something a bit different in the world on presentations. Rather than having traditional ‘slides’, it’s more designed for telling stories and taking people on journeys. All elements are on one ‘canvas’ and each ‘frame’ (slide) is an element that you zoom around into!

For presenting projects and ideas it could be a very clever and different way of doing things. However, I’m not sure it could replace ‘traditional’ presentations for sermons and the like (but with some imagination it could be used to a good effect in sermons!).

Prezi comes with a range of funky templates, designed to help you start presenting your ideas.

Presentations can be viewed/shared online and downloaded to your computer (but even simple presentations are BIG) to download!

Here’s a demo: http://prezi.com/z61icdcyouir/demo-for-churchmag/

There are different levels, ‘Public’ – 100mb of storage and all presentations are public; ‘Enjoy’ – 500mb storage, private presentations, no prezi branding, and better support; ‘Pro’ – 2gb storage and work offline on presentations.

Cost: ‘Public’ Free; ‘Enjoy’ $4.92 a month; ‘Pro’ $13.25 a month

So those are some of the ways you can make a presentation! Next time I’ll be looking at the basics of good presentation design – what TO DO and what NOT TO DO!

What do you use to make presentations?

Have I missed any good ways of creating presentations?

Are there any presentation design features you’d like to see covered?

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what is a presentation in church

James Cooper

I'm a God loving, web designing (since the days of Netscape and IE5), bass, ukulele and mandolin playing, geek! Follow James on Twitter | Circle James on Google+

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what is a presentation in church

January 21, 2013

One giant hole in that list, and it frankly should be at the top, Renewed Vision’s ProPresenter!

what is a presentation in church

Thanks Isaac. ProPresenter certainly is VERY powerful and can create slideshows/presentations – its main purpose is as church worship software “for displaying lyrics and videos” as they put it on their site! (Which is why it also imports from PowerPoint!)

And at $400 for a single license and $800 for a site license – that’s way beyond the budget of many churches & ministries…

However, I’m sure many of the tips in further posts in the series will be relevant to ProPresenter users as well 🙂 Are there any design topics you’d like to see covered?

Powerpoint was built for business presentations, by business men, then adopted by churches. There are hundreds to features that a church presentation will never need. I’ve done more than enough training with the average church employee (who is not as computer literate as you would think), and the common thread is difficulty just finding the few simple features that they need to make a basic presentation. I’ve seen those same people pick up ProPresenter with much greater ease, as well as seen nearly untrained individuals execute incredibly smooth presentations with ProPresenter

Churches don’t qualify for personal use, so lets say the basic price of PPT is $200/per seat. If only 4 people in your church use ProPresenter, the site license work out the same cost, ($800/4) and every other computer is free. It doesn’t take much to get to 4 computers (ie. Pastor, Youth Leader, Worship Leader, Presentation computer in meeting space).

I think that it would be fair to point to out where ProPresenters focus on worship can be less than ideal, but I think that a tool that can work in many contexts (worship, classes, speaking engagements, etc) is worth considering for the those churches whose budgets need to stretch a long way.

glad to find another venue if you’d like to continue the discussion…

January 22, 2013

Thans for the info Isaac! You obviously know your way round ProPresenter – like a Pro! Have you ever considered blogging about it? I’m sure you’d be very welcome to write about it here on ChurchMag and share your knowledge with readers of the blog. If you’re interested, have a read of: https://churchm.ag/contribute/

I certainly understand about ‘not so techy’ users within a church. I’m the ‘resident geek’ at my church and get asked all the questions 😉

what is a presentation in church

I’m a heavy ProPresenter and Keynote user. In my view they each have their place in the arsenal of the presenter and the showman. In fact, I use them together quite often; in spite of the apparent simplicity of Keynote, it’s quite a powerful design tool. I’ll use it to create backgrounds, graphic elements with transparency, and combine them in ProPresenter.

At our Luis Palau festivals, ProPresenter is our front-line tool for all video and animation playback, as well as artist lyrics. I think of it more like a real-time instrument than a linear presentation tool. Gotta stay on your toes!

ProPresenter is wonderful for live events, or for presentations that are more non-linear (like, when I’m teaching a class and need to hop around). That said, it’s nowhere near as powerful as keynote’s templates, design elements, and object transitions.

They each have their place, and together they’re even more powerful. If you’re just getting started with presentation software, I recommend starting with Keynote. I really can’t describe how much I despise PowerPoint – but that’s another story…

Good stuff Allan and with you 100% on PowerPoint!

Just soooo many headaches trying to get PPT to “work” outside the machine it was created on, especially when video is involved. Just awful. No wonder there’s a market for online tools.

BTW my wife, who teaches college classes, really like slideshare and used another “online keynote” (Was it 320slides?) that worked well. She just wants to walk up to whatever computer that’s there in the class and have it work. A valid scenario.

what is a presentation in church

I tried using Prezi once, and it’s cool, but it has a bit of a learning curve. I already have Keynote, so I guess I should become more familiar with that.

Are there any good tutorials for creating awesome Keynote presentations?

I love working in Keynote. I like to tell people, “Keynote is the tool that master presenter Steve Jobs designed for himself”.

My background is design. Coming from industrial-strength tools like Illustrator and Photoshop, you might think that Keynote’s tools are underpowered; I find that they’re simple but just powerful enough to make you or your speaker look great and get the job done quickly.

As for training, I’m frankly not sure – there’s probably some good stuff online. If anyone wants some personal training, I do that regularly in the Portland, Oregon area, and would be happy to do something online if anyone’s interested.

Go for it with Keynote Chris – you’ll love it! Apple have got some tutorials for Keynote: http://www.apple.com/support/keynote/

This looks like a goo starting video as well: http://vimeo.com/9763123

If you find anymore good ones, less us know!

Speaking of Keynote, here’s a writeup of a cool project I did with it: I made a fake iPad “app” for my son’s “adventure birthday”:

http://allanwhite.tumblr.com/post/37172639423/decaleague-app-details

The expansion of Keynote to iOS is huge. We’re sending out presenters with just their iPads, even just iPhones sometimes, for full HD presentations that look great. I’m not aware of any presentation software for mobile devices that comes remotely close to the power and quality of Keynote there.

In my work doing web development, I often use Keynote to mock up wireframes or comps for web or mobile app projects. Here’s a post from a guy doing just that:

http://www.edenspiekermann.com/en/blog/espi-at-work-the-power-of-keynote

One more thing: if you have Keynote, and want to download the DecaLeague “game” I made to see what can be done with it, look for the zip download link in the article. http://allanwhite.tumblr.com/post/37172639423/decaleague-app-details

Took me about an hour or two to make. Easy!

Sorry to be so chatty, it’s just one of my favorite topics!

Do you happen to like Keynote by any chance Allan?!?!?! 😉

Thanks for all your thoughts – the ‘app’ you made for your son is pretty cool!

I love keynote when wireframing as well. The ‘Keynote Kungfu’ theme I mentioned in the post is a real time saver.

what is a presentation in church

Another not-so-known software is Slide Effect. Useful for creating presentations with great eye-candy. Creates movie files and screensavers too.

http://www.slide-effect.com/

Thanks for the tip Gangai!

what is a presentation in church

I’m working on a project called Proclaim. http://www.ProclaimOnline.com It’s simple for volunteers to learn quickly, but also does some cutting-edge things like sharing presentations in the cloud and sending Bible verses and more out to the mobile devices of those in the congregation. We’re about to release the ability to live survey your congregation and show the results right on screen.

Thanks for letting us know Matt – that looks VERY COOL!

I’ll have a play. Might be that a post on Proclaim will be needed…

what is a presentation in church

I’d be interesting in hearing feedback on how easy it is to publish and share a presentation on-line, after you have created it. A nice presentation is fine, as far as it goes. But these days, you won’t be five minutes after giving your presentation, when someone will come up to you and say “can you share that with me”?

How do these tools compare in being able to share the final presentation with others?

In my experience, PowerPoint is the absolute worst in terms of sharing with others. There just seems to be no way to know for sure if your presentation will really work anywhere except on the computer that the presentation was built on. Web-based tools, like Googe Slides and Prezi are, by their nature, every easy to share. You usually just give the person a link and you are done. However, Prezi maybe does not make much sense as a shared presentation, because it is not at all linear. A person who has never viewed a Prezi may not know what to do with it. And Google Slides lacks a lot of the eye-candy that PowerPoint and Keynote can provide.

Any thoughts on what tools are best for sharing presentations with others?

A very good question Curtis and watch this blog – because later in the series I’m planning on doing a post on the different ways you can share presentations online 🙂

I’ve thought about this a fair bit as well. Here’s what I keep coming back to:

What is a presentation?

Is it the slides? The spoken words? Videos or images? The total experience?

There’s obviously a lot of kinds of presentations. The kinds I make for my clients tend to shoot for TED-level quality when it comes to visuals; if I was to put those exact same slides online, without context or audio, they become nearly meaningless.

I could, of course, record the audio and embed it or export it as a video (Keynote does this, with limitations, as a rendered video with voice-over). Matching up audio later (like Slideshare, et. al.) is pretty time-intensive. Sometimes I’ll have ScreenFlow running, which is recording my audio & video and lets me edit these together later. This is great for training presentations ( example ), but could also be used for stage-type presentations. Still, a lot of work “in post”.

I don’t have a single answer on the best way to share it. A lot of companies (esp. the big ones) just use slides as written documents, which of course they’re completely unsuited for. Ugh!

If I can spare the time up front, I’ll create a written outline for handout/download; if it’s available I’ll have a video of the presentation.

To echo Curtis’ question, any other thoughts on the best way to share a presentation?

January 24, 2013

More good thoughts Allan! As I said, in a future post I’ll cover some of the sites/tools (such as slideshare) where you can ‘share’ presentations.

But the question ‘what makes a presentation’ is a good one.

I guess in this context I’m talking about say, being able to listen to a sermon online and you can click through the slides that were shown…

But more on that in the future 🙂

what is a presentation in church

February 27, 2013

Since everyone else is punting their worship presentation apps, can I punt mine too?

I’m the project leader of OpenLP, an open source (i.e. FREE, not just to download, but to use, copy, give to your friends, etc) program that displays songs, Bible verses, etc. like ProPresenter or ProclaimOnline. OpenLP also can integrate with PowerPoint on Windows, and LibreOffice/OpenOffice on Linux and Windows. We don’t have Keynote or PowerPoint integration on OS X yet, but that’s currently in the works.

BUT it is not the be-all and end-all. I highly recommend using a presentation for fancy announcements or slides for a sermon. With OpenLP it is of course very easy to include that presentation in your service, right next to your songs and Bible verses, but that doesn’t have to be the case (indeed with any presentation software).

Also, as is the main point of this post, just simply making a presentation is not enough, it needs to be a GOOD presentation. This is something I am continually frustrated with in churches.

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14 Top Church Presentation Tools For Amazing Presentations

Thomas Costello February 10, 2021 Web 2 Comments

Church presentation tools help you turn scripture, lyrics and images into engaging visuals for your members. You can even use them for online worship.

The right tools make the job much easier. When you’re already strapped for time, you want to be able to sit down, put together a great presentation and move on.

There are presentation tools for every budget. The list below includes both free and premium options, ensuring there’s an option for every church’s needs.

Table of contents

1. basic church presentation tools, 3. easyslides, 4. videopsalm, 5. bibleshow, 7. freeworship, 8. praisenter, 9. datasoul, 10. mediashout, 12. opensong, 13. worship extreme, 14. zionworx.

what is a presentation in church

While there are dedicated church presentation tools, you can use standard slideshow tools to create a presentation. The good part of these tools are you may already know how to use them. Plus, there are several great free options, such as:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint ( Free Office Live Version or any premium version)
  • LibreOffice Impress
  • Google Slides
  • Zoho Show (some features are free, others are premium only)

If you’re just getting started with basic presentations, these are great tools to get your feet wet. However, if you’re looking for something more robust, you’ll want to branch out from the basic tools.

OpenLP is a free open source church worship presentation tool designed to give you the freedom to create presentations they way you want. It’s also regularly updated, giving you even more features and support over time.

You can download to your computer, use it online or via the iOS/Android apps. You can even import presentations from other popular slideshow software, such as PowerPoint and LibreOffice.

Easily import songs, video content, Bible verses (import full Bibles for use or just certain verses), pictures and more. Create custom slides to play and loop or control them manually. You can easily control your presentation using the web, iOS or Android app.

EasySlides is one of the more simple church presentation tools. It’s made to project Bible verses and song lyrics during worship services. The great part is it’s completely free to use.

Despite being more scaled back, it does have some great features, such as:

  • Convert to HTML to add to your church website
  • Add notation to slides, such as chords/tabs
  • Incorporate a wide variety of Bibles
  • Countdown clocks/timers
  • Basic slideshows
  • Publish on EasySlides for live online presentations (requires a low-cost annual subscription)
  • Create worship booklets

If you’re mainly creating presentations to encourage more engagement during services, EasySlides is a good option. It’s also updated on a regular basis, completely for free.

VideoPsalm’s website may look a bit dated, but their presentation software is not only powerful, but free. They call the software mission-ware as it aids churches on their mission to spread God’s word.

VideoPsalm is compatible with many other church presentation tools, including EasySlides, MediaShout, PowerPoint, VerseView and more. This makes it easy to import presentations you’ve already created in other tools.

The free help library includes detailed tutorials and guidance to help you get started quickly. Plus, there are numerous Bibles and songbooks for you to import and pull information from. This makes finding what you need even easier.

Some of the other main features include:

  • Quick search features
  • Create image and video slideshows
  • Play music along with lyrics
  • Create live video feed background
  • Add music chords to lyrics
  • Quick editing modes
  • Organization tools to keep track of what you’re using

With 24/7 support, this is one free tool that’s hard to pass on.

what is a presentation in church

BibleShow is another completely free church presentation tool. It’s only compatible with Windows though. This is one of the more basic tools as it only supports Bible verses instead of songs too.

It comes complete with hundreds of themes to use. There are also multiple Bibles and translations to choose from. It’s easy to project or use on any connected video device. You can even stream your presentation for live online worship.

Create a searchable list of favorite verses for quicker access. However, built-in search features allow you to search the Bible versions you’ve imported.

If you want more control over your slides and want to go beyond scripture, BibleShow might not be for you. Otherwise, it’s a nice light-weight tool especially if you have older equipment.

Lyricue isn’t just for churches. It’s made for live events, such as worship services and concerts. As the name implies, it’s main purpose is displaying song lyrics for a more interactive event. However, you can present more than just lyrics.

You can also add text passages, such as scripture or important takeaways. This makes it easy to ensure your members not only hear, but see the most important parts of your sermon.

One immensely useful feature is live editing. Even if your presentation is being shown, you can edit on the fly. See a typo? Edit in seconds. This is ideal if your church is hosting a live event and you want to add impromptu notes during the event. Or, if you need to change lyrics quickly.

You can also add text over a live feed, which is ideal if you’re live streaming . It’s easy to create custom screens for lyrics and verses. You can even create playlists for autoplay presentations.

FreeWorship has a free and premium version. For simple church presentations, the free version is really all you need. However, if you want additional support, more integrations with other tools and more advanced search features, you’ll need the premium version for $13.67/month.

In the free version, you create customized presentations using FreeWorship’s intuitive interface. Add song lyrics, videos, images and Bible verses. Create custom slide sets for your church events.

The premium version does make it easier to add songs and verses thanks to SongSelect integration and an advanced Bible search function. This can help save valuable time. Unlike other free options on this list, you have to pay for addition Bibles, which start at $13.67 each.

Praisenter is one of the more straightforward church presentation tools. It’s made specifically to help churches create more engaging presentations without spending a dime. You don’t even have to register with your email address.

Praisenter uses The Unbound Bible to allow you to import various translations, based on your church’s needs. This is completely free. Import song lyrics or create your own. You can add unlimited lyrics. Plus, you can organize all your songs to make them easier to find when you need them.

Create fully custom slides, complete with transition effects. Every aspect of the slides can be edited. Add engaging images, video and audio to your slides. There’s even a media library built-in for managing your files.

You can even display alerts with ease. Let a member know they left their lights on or remind members about a meeting after services.

The only downside is the software hasn’t been updated in years, which is why it doesn’t have a very modern look. However, it still works well.

what is a presentation in church

Datasoul is another free and open source church presentation tool. It’s rather barebones, but still highly effective for creating amazing presentations.

Easily import slides and presentations from PowerPoint and OpenOffice. You can even launch files from both programs directly within Datasoul. You can also import song lyrics from EasyWorship.

As with most church presentation tools, you can add song lyrics and Bible verses. Add chords and guitar tabs with any song. To make services even more engaging, print out any or all parts of your presentation for members to use during services or to take home.

For online worship, share your presentations online. This works well for live streaming and as an added resource for your church website visitors. You can even export your presentation as a PDF, making it easy to add a downloadable file to your website.

MediaShout is the first fully premium option on this list. However, there is a free 30-day trial to see if it’s right for your church before you pay. It’s a feature-rich presentation tool with all the bells and whistles you could want.

The intuitive and modern interface makes it easy to use. You can even customize it to your needs. Built-in templates get you started quickly.

The presentation editor allows you to customize all aspects of your slides. There’s also a sermon builder to help you create more interactive and engaging sermons.

Easily import PowerPoint slides. You also have access to both public-access and copyrighted Bible translations and versions. Plus, you can import songs using SongSelect.

Customize your stage display and easily display announcements. While there isn’t an Android app yet, you can remotely control your presentations via the iOS app. MediaShout is even planning to add social media integration and cloud storage options soon.

MediaShout starts at $399 or $409 for copyrighted Bible access for the Windows version. The Mac version is $249 and $299. You can also get additional support and exclusive content for $21/month.

Prezi isn’t strictly for churches, but it’s still well worth considering among church presentation tools. What sets it apart is it’s actually a collection of three different tools – Present, Video and Design.

You get access to all three tools starting at $15/month. While a cheaper plan is available, it’s for personal use and doesn’t include nearly as many useful features. A free version is available to create up to five presentations. This is a good way to try it out, though free trials of al premium plans are available too.

Not only can you create custom presentations to show in your church, you can create online presentations to better engage your online worshipers. There are even hundreds of thousands of free images and icons to use.

Create visually engaging stories, which are great for Sunday school and children’s ministry. You can also create voice overs, which work well for online access when you’re not live.

While there isn’t any Bible or song lyric integrations, you can manually add any content you need. This is a major con, but if your church also needs tools for creating videos and image design, the tradeoff might be worth it.

OpenSong is one of the simpler church presentation tools. However, it’s designed specifically to be an easy to use tool for displaying song lyrics and Bible verses. Every slide can have a custom background or background color.

While it doesn’t have the customization of some of the other tools on this list, it is free. It’s a perfect addition to other tools, though, if you want to do more with your songs.

Easily transpose songs, add details about when a capo is used, add full song details (CCLI#, length, tempo, author and more) and customize individual elements, such as underlining certain parts.

You have access to 168 different Bible translations. While it’s a separate download listed on OpenSong, there is a detailed guide on how to do it.

what is a presentation in church

Worship Extreme has a free and premium version. Create fully custom presentations using a variety of built-in Bibles and SongSelect (requires a SongSelect account) integration. Free users have access to limited number of motion graphics, while premium users have access to more.

Create cue lists which you can edit on the fly. Need to add something new during a service? No problem. These lists make it quick and easy to make presentations.

You can also sync you presentations to Worship Extreme’s cloud service. This ensures you always have a backup of your work and access wherever you are.

The premium version starts at $15/month. Get access to all features, including unlimited templates and graphics, for $25/month. Smaller churches will likely do well with the free version, though.

While ZionWorx offers a free trial, there isn’t a free version available. There’s a one-time fee of $249 for your entire team to use the software. All minor updates are free to download, but if a new major version is released, there is an additional upgrade fee.

The intuitive interface lets you jump right in, creating presentations with ease. Add any audio, video or image file into your presentations without worrying about compatibility. All codecs are already built-in.

A layer-based approach makes it quick and easy to customize every part of your presentation. From backgrounds to the text itself, you have full control.

A color-coded layout makes arranging song lyrics easier than ever. You can import songs directly from SongSelect or even text files, though ZionWorx does state this can be glitchy at times. Use BibleGateway to search for and import the Bibles of your choice.

PowerPoint integration is supported. You can also export your entire playlist presentation to use on-the-go. This is ideal if another church wants to use your presentation or you’re presenting as a guest elsewhere.

Get even more from your church presentation tools by adding presentations to your church website. Want to attract more visitors to your site? Try our free website analysis today.

About The Author

what is a presentation in church

Thomas Costello

In 2016, Thomas created REACHRIGHT while serving as a bi-vocational pastor in Madison, Wisconsin. With over two decades in ministry across states like California, Texas, and Hawaii, he has also become an expert in church marketing, web design, and SEO. Thomas and his family now call Honolulu home.

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what is a presentation in church

Most of these will only work on windows-based computers. It’s not what we use.

what is a presentation in church

Thanks for the feedback. We will look to add some Mac options in a future update.

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5 Things Every Church Presentation Needs to Do

what is a presentation in church

When someone new sets foot in your church, what happens?

A greeter hands them a bulletin as they walk through the door, an usher helps them find their seats.

Maybe your regulars introduce themselves and strike up a conversation. Maybe they don’t.

This is where your screen comes in. It’s an anchor for regulars and a lifeline for newcomers. With the right slides, newcomers can wander into your church and feel like they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.

Here are five things every church presentation needs to do.

1. Welcome everyone

Your welcome slide (or video) should reflect the atmosphere you want to create and the character of your church.

You could use a still slide with the name of your church or a subtle motion graphic for a different effect.

Some churches use a video of a staff person to provide a mini-orientation, highlighting the mission of the church and giving some helpful instructions and what to expect so newcomers feel “in the know.”

Proclaim  comes loaded with thousands of welcome slides and motion graphics that have already been optimized for the screen, so you can always find something that fits your church.

2. Offer next steps

You probably have a plan in place for how to nurture relationships with visitors and newcomers. When someone attends your service for the first time, what would you like them to do next?

They probably aren’t ready to join a small group, volunteer with one of your ministries, or sign up for your big event yet. This is their first touchpoint with your community. Tell them what you’d like them to do next.

If you don’t take time to address your visitors specifically, people might start to feel like they just walked into someone else’s family reunion or a company meeting at a place they don’t work.

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3. Anticipate questions

Imagine visiting a church for the first time. What would you want to know?

  • Where are the bathrooms?
  • Do you have nursery or children’s church?
  • Is there a nursing mother’s room?
  • What ministries do you have?

Make a list of some of the most frequently asked questions and work the answers into your usual presentation. Answering questions in advance can put people at ease, plus it continually educates church members so they can easily answer questions when asked.

4. Share ways to connect

Newcomers and members can benefit from more connection points with your community. Announcements about upcoming events give your regulars a reminder to invite their friends to experience more of what your church has to offer.

It’s always a good idea to call out events that cater to newcomers and reinforce your announcement slide with a sincere invitation from someone from the stage. That way, visitors who may not have friends in your congregation still feel welcome.

Remind regular attendees about repeatedly occurring events they might not already be participating in, like Bible studies and worship nights. Sometimes people want to join in, but they don’t know who to ask or where to find out about events. Your church service should be a place people can expect to hear about what’s going on in your church.

If your church uses social media to keep people in the loop about what’s going on, and you have someone (or multiple someones) monitoring your social media for when people have questions, consider adding a slide telling people how to connect with you on social media.

Your church may have other ways you communicate with people regularly, like a newsletter, email list, or a YouTube channel. Let your presentation help direct people to the most valuable places they can connect with you.

5. Thank them for coming

While you probably have audible cues to tell people the service is over and that you were glad to see them, your final slide visually reinforces your sign-off. If you have an event or gathering right after the service, this slide can also tell people what’s happening next and where to go.

Leaving a message like this on the screen can help your welcoming atmosphere persist after you’ve left the stage. This is also a great time to remind people about your other announcements and ways to stay connected.

Create better presentations 

Proclaim gives you thousands of templated slides you can search and modify to fit your needs. Our Smart Media automatically formats so your text fits your background, and Proclaim remembers announcements you’ve made before, so you never have to create the same slide twice.

Try Proclaim free  and start creating better presentations, faster.

Proclaim 4: Create Excellent Presentations Every Week. Click to see what's new in Proclaim church presentation software.

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7 Design Principles for Powerful Presentations

7 Design Principles for Powerful Presentations

You don’t need a professional designer on staff to craft an elegant presentation. We’ve pulled  together 7 principles that you can use to build powerful presentations—the kinds of presentations that pull people in and help them focus on your worship and message.

1. Fewer words, more attention

It’s tempting to fit as much text onto a slide as you can—especially when you’re sharing long, powerful Scriptures or quotes from theologians.

But as words continue to pile up on the screen, it gets more difficult for your congregants to focus. Unfortunately, this means that people in your audience zone out when they should be tuning in!

So, how much is too much?

We recommend that our users aim for a maximum of 30 words per slide (about 4 lines). That might seem ridiculously low—it’s practically the length of a Tweet.

But get this—Seth Godin, revered across many industries for his communication tactics, recommends no more than six words per slide.

Now, that’s probably unreasonable for church presentations. (You’d need five slides just to get through the Doxology!) But the principal holds true; reducing the amount of words on a given slide makes the words that do show up much easier to follow.

2. Bigger letters are easier to read

Making the text size large enough to read is important: you need everyone in your congregation to be able to follow the words you’re displaying.

You’re already ahead of the game once you’ve taken the previous principle to heart. It’s much easier to bump up the size of your typeface when it’s not getting crowded out by too many words!

There’s a really simple test for checking if your text is large enough for everyone to read. Just walk to the farthest seat in your chapel or sanctuary and see if you have to squint to read a slide. If so, bump up your text size a few points.

If it’s still challenging to read at that distance, you’ll find the next principle to be especially helpful.

3. When it comes to fonts, simpler is better

It’s tempting to look at all the fonts available in your presentation software and choose one that looks interesting.

But don’t get fooled by the idea that a font is boring just because it isn’t fancy or complex. The font is simply a conduit for the words you write. Choosing a complicated font only gets in the way of those words being communicated effectively.

In fact, a complex, ornate font can actually hinder your congregation as they try to follow along with you. If you use simple, straightforward typefaces, your text becomes easier to read. We recommend sans-serif fonts, or the kinds of fonts without the little “tails” on the edges of the letters. Fonts like Ariel, Lato, and Verdana are good examples of easy-to-read sans-serif fonts.

(This is a great workaround if you’re trying to make text more legible from the back of the room, but you can’t bump up the text size any further.)

4. Contrast is king

One of the biggest presentation killers in church today is low contrast. A low-contrast presentation puts light-colored text atop light-colored backgrounds (or less commonly, dark text on dark backgrounds).

“Light on light” or “dark on dark” is difficult for your congregation to read. And if it’s hard to read, it’s either distracting them from your message or making room for something else to distract them.

The more difference in shade you can have between your text and your background, the better your contrast. You don’t need to pick lots of bright colors. When in doubt, choose white text on a black (or very dark) background. This approach is often easier on the eyes than dark text on a light background, especially if the lights are dimmed in your sanctuary.

Using the right tool can make this a lot easier. For example, with MediaShout 6, you can add a background color to any text box, which provides more contrast between the text and background.

5. Simple backgrounds win

The simpler the background, the easier it will be to make the slide readable. There’s no shame in solid colors or very mellow textured backgrounds.

Look for simple background images that are either uniformly dark or uniformly light. Avoid images that are somewhere in the middle.

But even more than that, avoid images that have some bright spots and some dark spots. Those provide the biggest hurdle for readers. In some places, your text will look great, but in others it will disappear entirely.

But what if you have to use complex photos? If there’s an image you’re dead-set on using as a background in your presentation, then here’s a trick for making the text stand out. Use white text with a black outline, or black text with a white outline.

If you have some design-conscious congregation members, don’t rely too heavily on this method; they might not love it. Even though it works really effectively, it can seem cheesy if overused.

6. Fewer typefaces is better

If you’re using seven different fonts on your announcement slide, it may look pretty, but no one is reading it.

You really only need one or two typefaces to rely on for your presentation (three is pushing it a little, but still acceptable). Using fewer fonts gives your presentation a more consistent tone, and helps you avoid needlessly distracting your congregation.

If you’re starting from scratch, pick two simple, versatile fonts, and stick with them. We recommend sans serif fonts, because they tend to more easily contrast against textured backgrounds. (This gives you a lot more leeway when it comes to the previous principle!)

7. Set your styles and stick to them

Once you decide on the fonts you’re going to use, you need to nail down how they’ll be used in your presentations. There are three main styles you should establish and stick to:

  • Title: This will be the font you use for headings and big important transition slides. Pick a standard size (though you have some flex room here), choose your font, and decide whether or not it will be bold.
  • Paragraph: This will be the font you use for notes, lyrics, and announcements. It’s okay if you use the same typeface for your paragraph as you do for the title—just make sure it’s smaller and less pronounced.
  • Quotation: You’ll use your quote style for Bible verses and other quotes. It could be as simple as taking the typeface you’re using for your paragraph style, bumping it up a few points, and making it italic. Or, you might want to use a serif font to make it look a little more formal.

Once you’ve established the typeface, size, and formatting that goes along with each of these styles, you’re set. They should cover just about any text you need to put on a given slide.

Using these styles consistently can give your congregation easy visual cues that help them understand what they’re looking at.

Easy-to-read presentations are the most powerful. The most important job of any presentation is to help people follow the worship and message.

Keep these principles in mind, and your congregation will find it easier to focus on what’s happening in your service.

This information is courtesy of MediaShout, www.mediashout.com .

Tags: church presentation software , church projection and church presentation , church software

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How to Create Effective Sermon Presentation Slides for Your Church 

PowerPoint slides are no longer relegated to boardrooms and classrooms. Thanks to easy-to-use technology and the proliferation of screens, presentation slides have become valuable worship aids in many churches. Pastors and Christian education leaders use PowerPoint slides to display pre-service announcements, hymn lyrics, sermon notes, prayers, portions of the liturgy, communion distribution instructions, Bible study key points and much more.  

Presentation slides allow people to easily follow along and engage with the material. When used well, worship sermon slides or sermon backgrounds also grab and hold worshipers’ attention. With slide presentations, no one will ever get lost! 

As a bonus, by using PowerPoint slides your church may be able to cut down on paper usage and printing costs. Although some people still prefer to have printed copies of the order of service, many worshipers have grown accustomed to following along on screens. Younger people tend to especially enjoy visual aids and multimedia options at church. But older people will adapt quickly too — and many will appreciate not having to hold up heavy hymnals and flip back to forth to the correct location.  

If you’re new to creating sermon presentation slides of backgrounds — or simply want to maximize their effectiveness — check out the important tips below. With a bit of planning and know-how, you and your church staff can keep people informed while enhancing their worship and learning experiences. 

4 Keys to Top-Notch Sermon Presentation Slides  

PowerPoint slides should add to, not distract from, church services and gatherings. So, make sure these visual helps for creating nice backgrounds don’t unintentionally turn into hindrances! 

Follow this easy advice to convey messages in a clear, succinct, and professional manner. 

1. Make presentation slides as simple as possible.  

Bad example of a sermon background slide.

For sermon slides, less is always more. By keeping slides simple, you draw in the congregation’s eyes and help people focus on your main points. Cluttered presentation slides appear jumbled, with excess visual clutter that’s tough to wade through. 

Minimize not only the content on each slide but also the background appearance, colors, fonts, animation and images. Avoid over-styling with fancy flourishes. Instead, keep the font large. After all, sermon PowerPoint presentations backfire if they’re too small to read from a distance! Therefore, test your slides ahead of time by viewing them from the back pew or from the back of a class meeting area. 

A good example of a sermon message background slide.

2. Leave plenty of white (or unfilled) space.  

Don't have too much copy on your sermon background slide

Keeping sermon presentation slides simple means avoiding the temptation to cram them with text. By overfilling slides, you end up bombarding people with information — if they can even read the material in the first place.  

The goal of sermon slides should be to reinforce main ideas, not provide complete thoughts. Avoid using full sentences, except when quoting or presenting Scripture. For larger Bible passages, break them down into one readable chunk per slide. 

Create plenty of white space on your sermon background

3. Promote “flow” throughout the slide presentation.  

For maximum effect, the flow of a set of sermon slides should follow the preacher’s message. Logical, step-by-step progressions make it easier for church members to understand and easier for your AV or media team to implement. (Remember to have these folks practice ahead of time to avoid glitches.)  

One example of a naturally flowing slide presentation is a five-point takeaway from the day’s Bible reading. By featuring one point or keyword per slide, the pastor or teacher simplifies notetaking and facilitates learning. 

4. Incorporate matching graphics.  

Sermon background slide can match your bulletin and sermon notes

Yes, we keep emphasizing that sermon presentation slides should be “simple.” Yet that doesn’t mean they need to be plain! Loads of attractive background slides and graphics are available in the ChurchArt.com online library. Free with your subscription, these images can be searched by topic, keyword or Scripture reference. It’s a snap to find what you need! 

To boost the messages on your sermon slides, pair them with matching graphics in the worship bulletin and other materials. Coordinating images help tie together all the resources you provide for the congregation. In fact, a bulletin sidebar or insert can include the sermon’s main points — the same points you display on screen.  

PRO TIP: Also insert room in the bulletin for worshipers to take sermon notes, if desired. This is a great way to keep everyone — especially children and youth — engaged with the day’s message and lessons. 

One more note about graphics: Don’t be afraid to repeat imagery in your slide presentation. In fact, repetition serves to reinforce key points. For example, it’s fine to repeat a background throughout an entire multi-week sermon series. Although you may not want to do this every Sunday, it works especially well for special church seasons (such as Easter and Christmas) and for ongoing efforts (such as a stewardship campaign). 

Now that you know the ins and outs of effective sermon presentation slides, enjoy putting together visual masterpieces for your church’s next worship service or Bible study!

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13 Best Free Church Presentation Software for Easy Worship

It’s always amusing to see some folks still using PowerPoint to project song lyrics during worship.

I mean it’s such a painfully inefficient way of doing things—especially when there are so many superior and free church presentation software that take just a few clicks to setup and get going.

If you want a PowerPoint alternative or simply want to learn more about the best church presentation software available for free to support your worship services, you should read this article.

A screen displaying lyrics and Bible texts is more or less replacing printed material at most places of worship. Depending on how it is used, the screen can be a purposeful aid or an unfortunate distraction.

Choosing the right church software to run your slides is therefore an important decision to support the worship environment.

If you’re on a tight budget, here are a number of free worship software in no particular order that offer a variety of features to suit your church presentation needs.

13 of the best free presentation software for easy worship in your church

what is a presentation in church

One of the most popular open source worship presentation program out there, OpenLP packs a ton of features for managing and displaying songs, Bible verses, images, videos (not video backgrounds though) and more.

It facilitates custom alerts, Bible import through CSV files, CCLI/SongSelect integration, PowerPoint file import etc.

Managing worship songs

  • OpenLP can import songs from a wide variety of sources like Easyslides, Opensong, Videopsalm, Zionworx, DreamBeam, MediaShout etc.
  • You can tag verse types, preset verse sequence, add formatting and manage songwriter information
  • A quick song search is also available

Managing Bible verses

  • Bibles can be imported from OSIS by the CrossWire Bible Society, any CSV file, OpenSong, Zefania etc.
  • You can even download a few selected verses from a Bible site, display verses in many custom formats, easily search verses by scripture reference (e.g. John 3:16-17) or by a search phrase to add into your set list
  • OpenLP integrates with one of the most popular open source media player of our times: VLC!
  • This means you can use almost any video / audio file format in OpenLP that is compatible with VLC

Slides and templates

  • OpenLP can be used to set up custom liturgies/set lists as per your church’s needs
  • Announcements, alerts or custom slides are also possible—custom slides can also be looped if required
  • OpenLP also integrates with PowerPoint, PowerPoint Viewer, LibreOffice Impress on Windows and LibreOffice Impress on Linux/FreeBSD. Imported presentations (sermon slides for example) can be controlled from inside OpenLP
  • Support for video background is under development. However, you can use a transparent theme as a workaround for now until this feature rolls out

Extra cool features

  • OpenLP also has a FREE Android remote app to control the presentation from anywhere inside your church using an Android device—as far as I know, this is a first of its kind app!
  • Built-in stage view accessible from any device with a web browser. Use any device on the local network as your stage monitor, meaning unlimited stage monitors without any extra hardware constraints.
  • Ability to add backing tracks to songs
  • OpenLP is available for Windows, Linux, Mac or FreeBSD

OpenLP is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a free and feature-packed church presentation software.

2. OpenSong

what is a presentation in church

If you need a super simple, free and easy worship presentation software, then look no further than OpenSong.

It may not have all kinds of bells and whistles when it comes to features, but it does just enough to meet the most important church projection software requirements.

  • OpenSong can easily double up as a worship song management tool—you can type in songs yourself or import them from CCLI’s SongSelect
  • Or you can always go to any site providing lyrics and chords for worship songs and just copy paste from there
  • Songs can be stored with chords, which of course won’t appear in presented slides. There’s a quick song transpose option also if you want to practice a song in a different key—it’s extremely convenient for musicians
  • OpenSong also provides many free song packs in various languages to help get you started
  • OpenSong’s website hosts a wide variety of Bibles that you can download for free and import into your system.
  • Zefania XML Bibles, NRSV, NIV, KJV and more are available and supported for import apart from Bibles in other languages (French, Filipino, Portuguese, German etc.)
  • Any image file can be set as a background for songs and Bible verses
  • Fonts, colors etc. can be custom formatted separately for song slides, scripture slides and alerts
  • While video backgrounds are not natively supported, it’s not completely impossible either if you can learn this workaround
  • With OpenSong, you can present songs, Bible verses and alerts specifying the order of slides, such as verse 1, then chorus, then verse 2, then bridge, then chorus again and so on
  • You can also present a preset timed loop of defined slides, create custom set lists in just a few minutes, search and find any Bible verse or song in seconds.
  • OpenSong can be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux machines.

OpenSong is great for anyone switching from PowerPoint—its simplicity and ease-of-use (I’ve taught people to use it in like 10-15 minutes flat!) make it a standout option!

3. Holyrics

what is a presentation in church

Holyrics is a free Church presentation software developed with the objective of facilitating the presentation of lyrics and verses in worship and other events.

  • Save song lyrics and use custom themes to display.
  • Search and add a song quickly using the available search options.
  • Holyrics has an offline database with more than 15 thousand songs! 
  • We can separate the song lyrics of different groups or singers using groups
  • Allows to save the time and date of each song played
  • Supports display of Bible verses and transmission to other devices
  • Facilitates access to any Bible verse with just 3 clicks
  • Can save lists of favorite verses to bring them up quickly
  • Visualize the Bible in different versions simultaneously
  • Change the version of the verse on the fly in real time
  • Has stage view support—we can use return monitors with unique settings. Slides can also be customized for the Holyrics app
  • Show messages and alerts only on return monitors
  • Colors, images or videos as background with opacity control
  • Can show alert messages at any time, even during a presentation
  • Create various themes and use in any song lyrics and verse
  • Schedule the songs that will be played and the media that will be performed in each service
  • Access program data and control presentations by mobile through the Holyrics mobile app
  • We can register our worship team members in the system and create schedules for the services
  • Play audio and video through the program without dragging windows (needs VLC media player to work)
  • Use videos to create Themes with animated background
  • Mobile app can be used to remote control presentations of songs and verses
  • Windows, Mac and Linux machines
  • The mobile app is available for Android and iOS

Holyrics is a well-designed free church presentation software with excellent features and functionalities—highly recommend you to try it out!

4. FreeWorship

what is a presentation in church

FreeWorship can be used to display worship songs, Bible passages, videos and more.

This church worship software supports themes, slide transitions, quick search, import of a variety of lyrics and Bibles etc.

FreeWorship is a solid free worship software that should cover most of your church presentation needs.

  • For quick setup, worship songs can be imported many, many sources!
  • FreeWorship accepts songs from CCLI SongSelect, Easy Worship (2009 & 6), DreamBeam, Mission Praise, OpenLP, OpenLyrics, OpenSong, SongPro, SongShow Plus and Words of Worship
  • So if you’re switching from some other software, FreeWorship makes it incredibly easy to migrate your existing song base in no time
  • FreeWorship can import Zefania and OpenSong Bibles, which should take care of most of your scripture projection needs.
  • All popular image formats can be handled in FreeWorship
  • Like OpenLP, FreeWorship also integrates with VLC for video playback—so any file format supported by VLC can be run here!
  • This free presentation software also handles PowerPoint files (versions 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016)
  • The presentation slides can also be spanned across multiple projectors.
  • Songs, bible passages, images, videos, PPTs, webcams, clocks and timers can all be setup to display on screen just a few minutes
  • There are flexible slide customization options too with the ability to tinker with the fonts, colors and backgrounds
  • There’s a really cool auto verse feature, using which FreeWorship finds a related Bible verse when you search for a song!
  • Stage/foldback display to give your worship team and speakers on stage more information about the current slide and what is coming up next
  • You can use a file synching service like Dropbox to edit songs on one PC while presenting on another
  • FreeWorship is Windows only at the moment

FreeWorship is feature-rich, provides terrific import options and flexible enough to fulfill even demanding church presentation needs—this is a keeper!

5. EasySlides

what is a presentation in church

EasiSlides is a free worship song projection software designed for projecting lyrics and Bible texts—basically, it’s designed for church worship.

With over 80,000 downloads and counting, EasySlides is a very popular option for anyone looking for free church presentation software.

  • EasiSlides installer (version 4 onwards) comes with built-in worship song lyric databases from the public domain in multiple languages apart from English
  • If you want to migrate your existing song base from another church presentation program, you’re out of luck though—you’ll have to recreate your worship song data all over again
  • Similar to OpenSong, worship song lyrics can also be stored with chords
  • Bible versions are limited as there’s no native ability to import Bibles from third party sources
  • However, EasySlides offers 3 English translations and a few more in other languages. Plus, there is a third party tool to convert Bibles from Unbound and XML versions into a format that can be imported and used in EasySlides
  • EasySlide shines in media playback—it can play audio and video files including live video backgrounds through feeds from an attached camcorder
  • The usual features to edit slide backgrounds, add gradients or usage of custom images are also available

Slides and templates There’s another third party transfer tool to work on one machine and then migrate the presentation including the underlying files to the church computer that will be used for the actual projection. Extra cool features

  • Project lyrics in two different languages at the same time for multi-lingual services
  • Generate worship song books to print customized praise and worship song books
  • HTML Generator to output all the necessary files to publish worship song lyrics on your church website
  • EasySlides is Windows only at the moment

EasySlides is an actively developed software with a huge user base—its ample set of features is sure to satisfy worship teams and Church tech enthusiasts.

what is a presentation in church

Quelea is an open source church projection software with a nice set of features to serve your church presentation needs.

Quelea’s stated aim is to “incorporate the best features of existing solutions as well as leveraging new, useful technologies that existing solutions don’t have—providing it all under a free, open source license.”

  • In terms of importing existing worship songs from other software, Quelea stands tall with the best of them.
  • Worship songs can be imported from just about anywhere—OpenSong, OpenLP, ZionWorx, Sunday Plus, Kingsway Online, EasyWorship, EasySlides and more.
  • By supporting Zefania XML Bible formats, Quelea gives us access to import and use a vast list of Bible translations.
  • So getting your favorite Bible translation into Quelea shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
  • With Quelea, you can add images and video files as slide backgrounds
  • All other regular customization and formatting options are also available

Unique features

  • Quelea helps with the church projection setup providing many test patterns you can use to ensure the screen is calibrated and positioned correctly.
  • Quelea can push song lyrics to any mobile device with a browser—in real time—and you can choose the display colors to best suit your viewing needs.
  • It also supports a separate stage view, enabling display of worship song chords only to the band onstage.
  • Its interface is available in English, German, Spanish, Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, Norwegian, Dutch, Lithuanian and Portuguese
  • Quelea is Windows only at the moment.

Quelea is a superb church presentation program with a remarkable set of functionalities that should delight any Church.

7. VideoPsalm

what is a presentation in church

If you need a worship software option with all kinds of features rivaling even paid alternatives, then VideoPsalm would be your No. 1 choice.

Of all the church presentation software I’ve had the pleasure to try out, VideoPsalm is the most exceptional—you’ll find just about any and every feature you might need!

Is it an easy worship software? Maybe not, but once you spend some time to learn it, there’s no looking back—you’ll love it.

  • Like Quelea, VideoPsalm can import songbooks from several sources—EasySlides, EasyWorship 2009, MediaShout, OpenLP, OpenLyrics format, OpenSong (Chords get imported too), Psalmo and plain text.
  • Moreover, the VideoPsalm online library itself provides over 10,000 worship songs!
  • Songs can also be stored with chords in ABC or Do-Ré-Mi notation apart from ChordPro compatibility.
  • Just like OpenSong, there’s a useful transpose feature here too.
  • How does 330+ Bible translations in 100+ languages sound? Yes, that’s the number available!
  • Apart from all the regular Bible verse display features, VideoPsalm also supports dual language verse projection.
  • VideoPsalm displays video, audio, photo, countdown, alert, PPT files and more. It’s a truly all-in-one worship software that can manage whatever you throw at it.
  • Slides can also be edited on-the-fly right in the middle of a presentation.
  • Media files can also be found quickly with the built-in search function.
  • The slide setup features are vast and comprehensive. VideoPsalm provides granular control of every aspect of your slides and templates.
  • Fonts, backgrounds, media, colors etc.—all of it is easily customizable and editable.
  • Even during a live presentation, background image/video can be changed on-the-fly.
  • Apart from adding images and videos as slide backgrounds, VideoPsalm also facilitates varying the background for each part of a song—the background for verse-1 can be different from that of verse-2 or chorus of bridge
  • VideoPsalm is also portable—the application can be run from a USB drive
  • Screen resolution is not a dependency at all. You can create the presentation in a 4:3 system and then project it on a 16:9 screen seamlessly
  • Portable set-list files to work and project in different systems
  • Available in 40+ languages
  • Single click live video background is also possible
  • VideoPsalm is Windows only at the moment.

At the price of free, VideoPsalm—with its massive feature-set—is a splendid option for your church presentation requirements. I doubt you’ll find a better option than this.

8. Praisenter

what is a presentation in church

Praisenter is a free Church presentation software to project worship songs, Bible verses and custom slides with images, audio/video etc.

If you’re looking for a reliable free option for your worship software requirements, you should take a serious look at Praisenter.

  • Adding songs to Praisenter is not rocket science. It comes with an  import facility, which facilitates bulk import of songs, provided they are in ChurchView or OpenLyrics format
  • Song parts (verse, chorus, bridge etc.) can be tagged easily—in fact, we can add unlimited number of parts to a song!
  • There’s a Quick Send panel to present songs immediately too (with hot key support)
  • A fast song search feature is also available
  • Like songs, importing a Bible is also a piece of cake. Praisenter supports import of Bible translations from The Unbound Bible, which should take care of most scripture projection needs
  • Search for Bible phrases, words, verse locations, present them on the fly
  • Save lists of scripture verses for later reference/study
  • Praisenter is an audio / video presentation program. Images, videos, audio and video files can be added to any kind of slide (songs, Bible verses or custom slides)
  • Videos and images can be used as slide backgrounds or as floating components. And yes, videos can be looped!
  • With respect to format, Praisenter has you covered by using the Xuggler library
  • With Praisenter, custom slide templates can be created separately for Bible verses, Songs and other content
  • Slide transition effects, notifications (again, with customizable templates) and more round off the wide array of features
  • Praisenter can display up to two translations at the same time—great for multilingual services!
  • You can create slides and templates in a machine, export them and then import them into another machine including attached media. So we can work on one computer and use another computer for the final presentation
  • Praisenter can be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux machines.

Praisenter is a beautifully designed, classy church presentation software that’s sure to thrill any worship ministry.

Other free church presentation software—honorable mentions

9. datasoul.

what is a presentation in church

Datasoul is an open source church presentation software to display lyrics, scripture and other text in worship services.

It has a flexible template system to preset how the slide content is formatted. It can be used to present slides with image and video backgrounds (including live feeds from an attached video camera).

Alerts, support for any display resolution, launch of other files like PPT, Open Office, remote display over network etc. are other useful features of Datasoul.

Presentations can also be exported as PDF files.

10. Songview

Songview is a free worship song projection software for churches that can handle projection of songs and Bible passages with image or video backgrounds.

Songview supports PowerPoint files, addition of guitar chords to songs with stage display for bands, alerts, slide editing during live presentation and more.

Similar to VideoPsalm, Songview can also be installed and run from a USB drive also.

11. EpicWorship

what is a presentation in church

EpicWorship is a free, open source church projection and presentation software focusing on simplicity. It comes with just the most important list of features without complicating anything.

EpicWorship facilitates slide projection with image and video backgrounds (MP4 H.264-encoded only), import of OpenSong Bible formats and playback of audio files (MP3 or AAC).

Like OpenSong, it’s simple and easy to install and use.

12. LyricsPro

what is a presentation in church

LyricsPro is an Android church presentation app.

Using a schedule interface, LyricsPro can be used to present lyrics, videos, images and PPT slides. Font formatting and setting up image and video backgrounds are also possible. Songs can be imported from SongSelect too.

This can be best used in small group worship or band rehearsal sessions I think.

I will be watching this project to see how it develops in future.

12. Praise Base Presenter

what is a presentation in church

Praise Base Presenter is an open source church presentation software to project worship lyrics, photos (JPG only) and Bible passages.

Apart from a simple song editor, it can also import Zefania XML Bibles and display lyrics in two languages.

13. Church Presenter

what is a presentation in church

If the above options have not been able to convince you to ditch PowerPoint, then you should consider using Church Presenter.

This is a free plugin for PowerPoint 2007 that adds quite a bit of church friendly muscle to PowerPoint.

The add-in enables using PowerPoint for presentation, while facilitating quick song search by number, theme, alphabetical index, and keyword.

The layout of lyrics and Bible verses can be customized by using editable templates. Also supports export of songs to regular PowerPoint files with embedded fonts. Windows only.

Have I missed anything in this list? What is your favorite worship presentation software? Do share in the comments.

Image: Environmental Projection

55 Comments

13 Best Free Church Presentation Software for Easy Worship In Your Church - Churchworker February 17, 2017 @ 10:31 pm

[…] Thanks to: Worship Blog […]

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I appreciate the good work doing to help spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks so much. Please help with the various websites to get downloads for my church.

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You can also use Worship.NET – Available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/worship-net/ It’s made for ministry members who may not have much experience or expertise in managing lyrics, with it’s intuitive and simple-to-use design.

*Disclaimer: I am the developer*

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Hi all, Looking for a software that can be run directly from touch on a MS Surface Go2 10″ screen. Installed Open LP but lots of RMB required. Icons just too small on this screen. Cheers – Paul in NZ

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Sorry, not aware of a software for that specific requirement.

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We used MediaShout in my previous parish. When one of our volunteer projectionists could not be there, we used an IPad 9.7 to remotely control the video. It was a bit small. An IPad Pro is preferable. We used the IPad Pro 12′ as well. Since MediaShout is both available in Windows and MacOS, there never was any problem controlling the program remotely, without physically using the “projection booth” (where the control computer is located).

I don’t know about the other programs but I think it should be possible with any other program, since we did it using Teamviewer which is a program allowing you to use any computer on your network in remote.

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Another option is called Song of Songs http://www.songofsongs.co.uk/

Disclaimer: I am the developer. 🙂

' data-tf-not-load src=

Thank you for your help

' data-tf-not-load src=

A chart summarising & comparing these would add a great deal of value to the article.

Good suggestion Peter, will try to get it done.

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Another option worth mentioning is Big Screen. It is cloud based and works in your browser. You can read more about it here: https://bigscreen.show

Disclaimer: I am a developer for Big Screen.

Big Screen is not free Marc.

How to Use Great Tech for Worship Ministries on a Small Budget - Spread Worship April 10, 2018 @ 5:16 pm

[…] your multitrack package does not handle lyrics, you can use one of several freeware lyric presentation options. With the abundance of free or cheap options, pure software cost should not be a barrier in most […]

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Do you have a recommendation for church presentation software that time sync with a project wireless-ly?

You could try cloud based solutions like Proclaim or Worship Extreme.

' data-tf-not-load src=

how to download this software

Choose your software, visit its website and go to the ‘downloads’ page.

' data-tf-not-load src=

please i need the procedure on how to download the free worship video background

There are tons of free sites to get images for free: pixabay.com unsplash.com pexels.com

' data-tf-not-load src=

Does any of these app allows to use a remote presenter? Or we need to have someone to sit next to the computer to click?

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https://openlp.org/

' data-tf-not-load src=

We are looking for a program that you do not need an internet connection to use. Can you help us out?

Almost all of these programs don’t need an Internet connection to work.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I still fall back to PowerPoint. I have tried various other products, and while they can do some creative and different things, they all seem to be unable to do some essential thing. One of my main gripes is that many of them cannot do the simple task of displaying a verse with a section of it in a different color for emphasis. In the end, it is just easier and quicker to create my songs and sermon verses in PowerPoint. No CCLI plugin, but I have many songs already created and ready to go anyway. Why reinvent the wheel?

' data-tf-not-load src=

Just thought I’d point out that VideoPsalm can do this. Once you select your Verse(s) and add them to your agenda, you can right click them to convert them into an editable format in which you can do colors, fonts, and all kinds of things.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Exactly what I need too. People don’t want to see the bible verse by verse, a highlighted verse is way better.

VideoPsalm is an awesome piece of software. As a fledgling church, we were looking for presentation software that was free since we had no budget. I tried a few different ones but ended up with VideoPsalm. There is a learning curve to get started but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly easy to use. I can’t think of a feature I’ve needed that it couldn’t do. Video background, song imports, multiple import formats (PPT, PDF, etc), and more. Support is also great. I’ve emailed the author a few times and always get a prompt response. If you’re looking for church presentation software, even if you have a huge budget, check out VideoPsalm and you’ll love it.

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Kel I cant get access to the videopsalm site to download the software. any help?

It’s available here: https://myvideopsalm.weebly.com/download.html

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Is this video mapping software that will allow you to project custom animation?

If you choose a video compatible software, you can project just about any video file.

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Well done. I am currently spearheading our media team in church and we recently bought a video camera. I would like to know if there is any software that i can connect the camera to the computer so it can be projected.

Would appreciate your feedback. Thanks

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Software Holyrics – holyrics.com

Developed with the objective of facilitating the presentation of lyrics and verses in worship and events.

• Lyrics • Holy Bible • Audio and video player • Custom Themes • Animated background • History • Access and control by mobile • Stage View • Communication Panel • Schedule • Free

Looks great Miria, will add it to the list soon 🙂

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Hi, we have been using Mediashout 3.5 for about 10 years, all of a sudden it just stopped working. The new version won’t run on this old computer, and when I installed on my own newer, the program is so completely different I cant comprehend myself having time to learn it, and then teach a bunch of student volunteers. Our needs are very simple. ALL of our songs and readings are already in MS Word .doc files. We don’t use any published songbooks or bibles, no video, no audio, no pdf, nothing. I only need a program that can handle matching the pages already set up in the .doc file (text is 48 pt) and populate it onto multiple slides. That’s it. Old mediashout did that just fine. New mediashout has way more features than we will ever use, and I just don’t have time to learn it.

I just tried VideoPsalm, and although it appears it should be able to do that, it doesn’t. Before I try the other 12 on the list, if anyone knows one that has just this one function, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

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this was very informative! I knew there had to be options other than PPT. I use Mac OS, so it helps knowing with programs are supported. Thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome!

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The holyrics graphic takes you to the openlp site when you click it.

Thanks for pointing it out, correct now.

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Easyworship

It’s not free.

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Great site.

Just wanted to point out that the dark shade on the right side of your background makes it difficult to read the text.

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OpenSong has some problem with remote control via Android app, so I tried Open LP, but you need to use some openSSL protocol… Seems like I will end up with Quelea. Thanks for tips!

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Does any of this accept txt. song files

Not sure. But VideoPsalm (and OpenSong too I think) has converters for your existing song library, maybe you could try that.

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it’s helpful

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Do any of the free software’s listed provide for a separate output to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) so that Worshipers can see a projected screen with whatever background image is selected, and OBS sees a transparent screen with white text to use as an overlay?

Not aware of software that can do this, sorry.

please what are the gadgets i need to get my church service on life streaming

Check this link Philip: https://www.switcherstudio.com/blog/how-to-livestream-your-church-service-for-free#:~:text=Start%20Live%20Video.-,YouTube,accessible%20on%20their%20own%20sites .

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Hello! I read this article with great interest. We are a Reform Jewish congregation in Scottsdale, Arizona, looking to add “presentation software” for our monthly Rock Shabbat and similar services. Are you aware of (on-line) resources for song lyrics, Torah scripture, background video that would be applicable to our congregation? Thanks!!

Sorry, not aware of a resource for that.

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Can i get bible in one of our local languages in East Africa in any of these,projected? which cauld it be?

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There is also Cantara ( https://cantara.app ), a free open source and very simple Song Presentation Software which we use in our congregation for years and really like it due to its simplicity. Maybe you can add it to the list!

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what is a presentation in church

By Amy Walters — Missionaries have earned the reputation of being boring! I’m sorry but it’s true. For decades, we have taken what could be the most amazing reports of God’s redemptive work and buried them under bad photos and rambling. So how do we make the most of the time we have to share our ministries with our churches? These seven keys can help! 

1. Tell a story. 

The best way to engage an audience is to tell a story. Talk about how God has changed someone’s life or how he is working through a ministry or event you were involved in. Or talk about how you see evidence of people’s need for the gospel and what gives you urgency to reach them.

Whatever story you pick, make sure that it is relevant and that it touches your heart. Stories that are unconnected to missions or your role in it will just confuse your audience. Stories that move you emotionally will have a good chance of moving your audience as well.

2. Use quality visuals. 

If a picture is bad, don’t use it! That means nothing blurry, too dark, poorly framed, or awkward. And please, don’t just dump your entire camera roll into a Power Point! Select a few, quality photos, maps, or graphs to supplement what you are saying. When you tell your story, pick one photo of the person, location, or event to go with the story.

Also, do not put large blocks of text into your visual presentation. You should not be reading anything from the screen.

3. Start strong and finish strong. 

It only takes seven seconds to lose an audience’s attention! A slow start to your presentation can be the end of someone listening to it. So start your presentation well. Use something interesting, strange, or unexpected to pique their interest. Use humor (but make sure you know what your audience will find funny). Or relate something you and your audience may have in common.

Do not begin with an apology for nerves or bad preparation. This can set your audience on edge.

Similarly, it’s important to finish the presentation well. Without a plan for how the presentation will end, the tendency can be to ramble and repeat. Land the plane! Memorize what your last line will be and once you say it, sit down!

Some simple ways to finish a missionary presentation are to tell the audience where they can find you after the service if they have questions, or to give them a few prayer requests.

4. Follow a clear path. 

There is probably a lot you want to say and it can be hard to discern what the most important elements are. At SEND, we use a presentation outline called the W5HY (why-5):

Who – Who are you? What is your background or call to missions? What are you passionate about? Think about your audience—what do they know or not know about you? Again, only include the information that is relevant to the ministry you will present.

What – What ministry are you going to do or are currently doing? What do you hope to accomplish through your ministry? If you are serving in a support role, how will your work help reach lost people? If you don’t know many of the details of your own ministry yet, you could talk about what the missionaries on that team or in that location are currently doing.

Why – Why are you going? And why this ministry in this location? Why do the people you are going to live and serve among need the gospel? This section, and the section about who you are, are the most important parts of your presentation. They offer you the best opportunity to share your heart. If your presentation is well-polished but lacks passion, you will have missed the mark.

Where – Where are you going? Don’t just talk about geography but talk about the people who live there. If you are going to a place where Christians are unwelcome, you can speak about the region or talk about the people without specifying where exactly they live.

When – When do you hope to get there or return there? What things must be in place in order for you to leave—training, support-raising, visas? This section is particularly important if you have a deadline for when to arrive, like when language school starts. This can give your audience a sense of urgency to help you get there.

How – How will you get there? And I’m not talking about whether you’re taking a plane or a boat. This is about building your support team. Who do you need on that team—people to pray for you, people to give to your ministry? Maybe you even want to invite other people to join you on the mission field.

You – “You can be part of this ministry.” This is where you take a deep breath, look your audience straight in the eye and invite them to participate. This can have a very strong impact if done well. So don’t apologize for asking for money or needing people’s help. It is the privilege of God’s people to be involved in God’s work. This does require sensitivity, however, to the person who invited you to speak. So it’s a good idea to ask the pastor or missions committee chair if it’s okay for you to invite your audience to support your ministry.

5. Pay attention to time. 

Most American churches are time oriented. They have clocks everywhere reminding them that the time is coming to dismiss everyone to lunch. You will generate goodwill with the pastor if you keep to the time allotted for your presentation.

6. Practice! 

Hopefully you will have many opportunities to present your ministry and will become very familiar with your material. But don’t use that as an excuse to wing it! Take each speaking opportunity seriously and be well-prepared for it. Rehearse, out loud. Know your technology and what the church uses. Be prepared to give your presentation without the technology, if necessary.

7. Show gratitude. 

Your audience has given you their time and attention. Make sure to thank them for it.

I understand that many people fear public speaking more than death. But I hope these tips can help you present your ministry clearly. God has called you to something exciting—let’s help your audience get excited about God’s work too. 

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what is a presentation in church

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How to Create Engaging Church Slides

Every church needs slides for kids' ministry, Bible study groups, and Sunday services. And every minister has probably experienced the stress of putting their church PowerPoint slides together, despite having no design experience. Ever watched as eyes glaze over and your audience begins to fidget uncomfortably? This is the article for you.

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Every church needs slides for kids' ministry, Bible study groups, and Sunday services. And every minister has probably experienced the stress of putting their church PowerPoint slides together, despite having no design experience. Ever watched as eyes glaze over and your audience begins to fidget uncomfortably? This is the article for you. 

Creating a presentation for your church shouldn't be daunting, but church workers without the right expertise often struggle to create a masterpiece. And when a presentation is less-than entertaining, people’s minds tend to wander to anything and everything else. While these five PowerPoint crafting principles ring true for all presentations, we have compiled five church-specific tips.

Before you begin next week’s presentation for church, read on for essential tips on crafting engaging and dynamic sermon slides.

1. Create a Bold Church Welcome Slide

Bold welcome to church slide

Welcome slides for church should be instantly recognizable. Include your church logo or follow the same theme while crafting it so whoever attends knows what they are in for. It works like branding so that your church is instantly identified, even at a glance. Make it bold, bright, and beautiful, using an eye-catching font and maybe even a church background image too.

If designing isn’t your forte, not to worry. Your church slides don’t have to lose out. Poster My Wall has a variety of church welcome slide templates so you can create an aesthetic work of art in seconds. Make sure to include your social media handles and a call to action telling people to follow you on your welcome-to-church slide. It's likely people will be seated with time to spare to look you up.

2. Don’t Overfill Church Announcement Slides

Simple announcement slide

We love a positive announcement as much as the next person, but there is such a thing as overkill. While it is a thoughtful idea to praise everyone as much as possible, too much is boring and repetitive for those in the audience. Instead, keep it as special as possible so that people know just how important the announcements are. 

Some pieces of information are essential to be shared (think: fire drill update or an event time change), and you don’t want them to get lost in a sea of updates. The bottom line is: don’t bore your congregants with mundane details unless absolutely necessary. If it's not essential, save it until a one-on-one meeting.

3. Get Creative with Church Slide Backgrounds

Church motion graphics church slide backgrounds

The best way to keep people engaged in your slides and what you have to say is by switching up your church slide backgrounds as often as possible. You could make them seasonal to reflect the passing of time and the weather outside or relevant to the topic matter. Or, simply select something because it is aesthetically pleasing and attractive.

Instead of choosing between the limited options available on PowerPoint, why not try some of these background options by Church Motion Graphics ? They offer a free church slide design makeover, free downloads of their fonts, and free access to their sample pack. You don’t need to be a designer to make high-quality slides with resources like this available online.

4. Use a Range of Church Slide Templates

Canva templates

Church slides often repeat the same themes again and again. Presentations in kids’ ministry and seasonal slideshows shown during a Sunday service will recycle year after year, maybe seeing minor tweaks and changes. Stop this from becoming predictable by using different templates, even if they contain the same information!

Canva offers endlessly customizable church slides, helping you make a professional presentation in minutes. Find a diverse collection of church slide templates here , whether you are looking for inspiration for Mother’s Day or a prime-quality storytime PowerPoint for kindergarten. Go a cut above the rest using templates made by experts, whether you use them for PowerPoint or opt for a church Google Slides template.

5. Let Church Presentation Software Make Your Life Easier

Playlister software 3 easy steps to make your life easier

If you ever feel like curating your church slides is taking too much time, you should know that there is an easier way. Presenting is a central feature of any church for kids’ ministry, services, and digital signage, which is why Playlister has created software to take that weight off your shoulders. Church presentation software is the smart solution to managing your church slides.

Playlister automatically streams the content to the screen you want it when you need it. No more waiting around for the latest slideshow to arrive in your emails or worrying about a lost USB stick — now you can know with confidence your content will be ready and waiting. Plus, things are even easier if you use Think Orange curriculum , as the lesson plans are sent directly through your Playlister account.

Don’t make your life harder than it needs to be — choose a church presentation software and take one thing off your mind. Playlister works across multiple sites, eliminating the stress of maintaining consistency and removing your time management worries. Access your account from any device at any time and make changes to the content everyone in your church network will receive.

Church Slides Takeaway

Engaging church slide

Next time you design a presentation for your church, remember these three tips.

  • The fewer words you write, the better.
  • Only include information that is interesting or essential.
  • Remember to include your church branding and social handles.

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Why do Catholics celebrate the feast of the Presentation?

This feast day celebrates both the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, as well as the Purification of Mary, which was required by the Mosaic Law forty days after the birth of a child.

The Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, also called Candlemas for the custom of using lighted candles. In the early Church it was often celebrated on February 14th, 40 days after the Epiphany, in keeping with the practice of celebrating Christmas on that date in the East. Among the Orthodox it is known as the Hypapante (“Meeting” of the Lord with Simeon).

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Through this Scriptural Rosary, we hope that you will be able to better meditate on each Hail Mary and deepen your understanding of Sacred Scripture. Use the form below to get your free copy of, The Scriptural Rosary .

what is a presentation in church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 529) teaches,

The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior-the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the “light to the nations” and the “glory of Israel,” but also “a sign that is spoken against.” The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had “prepared in the presence of all peoples.”

It is also important to note that, as a poor family, the Holy Family gave an offering of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. However, the Lamb whom they brought to the Temple was the Lamb of God.

He was presented when He was still a newborn, only 40 days old.

“In the mysterious encounter between Simeon and Mary, the Old and New Testaments are joined. Together the aging prophet and the young mother give thanks for this Light which has kept the darkness from prevailing. It is the Light which shines in the heart of human life: Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world, ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of his people Israel.’” – Pope St. John Paul II

The Gospel of Luke 2:22-40 states:

And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Regarding Simeon and Anna, Pope Benedict XVI said,

Even the priests proved incapable of recognizing the signs of the new and special presence of the Messiah and Saviour. Alone two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, discover this great newness. Led by the Holy Spirit, in this Child they find the fulfilment of their long waiting and watchfulness. They both contemplate the light of God that comes to illuminate the world and their prophetic gaze is opened to the future in the proclamation of the Messiah: “Lumen ad revelationem gentium!” (Lk 2:32). The prophetic attitude of the two elderly people contains the entire Old Covenant which expresses the joy of the encounter with the Redeemer. Upon seeing the Child, Simeon and Anna understood that he was the Awaited One.

“… while we are still at the dawn of Jesus’ life, we are already oriented to Calvary. It is on the Cross that Jesus will be definitively confirmed as a sign of contradiction, and it is there that his Mother’s heart will be pierced by the sword of sorrow. We are told it all from the beginning, on the 40th day after Jesus’ birth, on the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, so important in the Church’s liturgy.” - Pope St. John Paul II

This is a Hebrew name that means “he has heard” or “God has heard.”

When is St. Simeon’s feast day?

The Church celebrates his feast day on the day after Candlemas, February 3.

In Hebrew navi, a prophet is one who tells, a spokesperson of God, speaking divine truth, or foretelling what will be the consequences for the future. On both counts, Simeon was a prophet, who revealed the truth about who Jesus was, as well as the implications for Israel, for Jesus Himself and for Mary.

Originally taken from the Hebrew name Hannah, it means “favor” or “grace.”

When is St. Anna’s feast day?

Anna the Prophetess shares a feast day with St. Simeon on February 3.

“In the encounter between the old man Simeon and Mary, a young mother, the Old and New Testaments come together in a wondrous way in giving thanks for the gift of the light that shone in the darkness and has prevented it from prevailing: Christ the Lord.” - Pope Benedict XVI

St. Simeon offered this prayer,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

Called the Nunc Dimittis, for the first words in the Latin Vulgate, it is one of the three major Canticles used in the Church’s liturgy. It is said each evening at the end of Night Prayer, the last Divine Office of the Liturgy of the Hours, or Breviary. The other Canticles are that of Zechariah, used for Lauds or Morning Prayer, and of Mary (the Magnificat), used for Vespers or Evening Prayer.

After speaking of Jesus, St. Simeon then spoke to Mary of her role of accompanying her Son in His redemptive suffering. Simeon reveals, as well, Mary’s own mission of intercession and compassion for us, her spiritual children.

Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35)

“This is the meeting point of the two Testaments, Old and New. Jesus enters the ancient temple; he who is the new Temple of God: he comes to visit his people, thus bringing to fulfilment obedience to the Law and ushering in the last times of salvation.” - Pope Benedict XVI

Anna is the prophetess who saw the Holy Family at the Presentation of Jesus at the temple. The Gospel of Luke 2:36-38 tells us about Anna:

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The purification was ritual, preparatory to worship, in this case after the momentous events of childbirth and the time of rest or “laying in” afterwards. Thus, the Jewish priest purified himself by bathing before entering the holy place, and, similarly, the priest at Mass washes his hands before beginning the Eucharistic Prayer and handing the Body and Blood of Christ.

Mary, although morally pure, fulfilled her religious obligations by being purified 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Throughout her life, the Blessed Mother was always obedient to God’s Will, in this case expressed through the laws given to Israel through Moses.

“Simeon’s words seem like a second Annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow. While this announcement on the one hand confirms her faith in the accomplishment of the divine promises of salvation, on the other hand it also reveals to her that she will have to live her obedience of faith in suffering, at the side of the suffering Savior, and that her motherhood will be mysterious and sorrowful.” — Pope St. John Paul II

This is the day when candles are blessed in the Church and traditionally have been lit in celebration of the feast.

Pope St. John Paul II said, “Christian traditions of the East and West have been interwoven, enriching the liturgy of this feast with a special procession in which the light of candles both large and small is a symbol of Christ, the true Light who came to illumine his people and all peoples.”

Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas. According to Leviticus 12, women should be purified 40 days after a son’s birth (33 days after the boy’s circumcision) and 80 days after a daughter’s birth. The purification was ritual, and preparatory to worship, in this case after the momentous events of childbirth and the time of rest or “laying in” afterwards.

In the Ordinary Form of the Latin Rite, the liturgical forms and calendar as revised after the Second Vatican Council, the last day of the Christmas Season is the Baptism of Our Lord, when His hidden life ended and His public ministry began.

However, the Church maintains an Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite which utilizes the forms and calendar in use prior to the Council. In this usage, the Christmas Season continues until the Feast of the Presentation. Many Catholics, therefore, maintain their Christmas decorations through Candlemas.

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Pope St. John Paul II said,

The prophetic words spoken by the aged Simeon shed light on the mission of the Child brought to the temple by his parents: “Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against ... that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Lk 2:34-35). To Mary Simeon said: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Lk 2:35). The hymns of Bethlehem have now faded and the cross of Golgotha can already be glimpsed; this happens in the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered. The event we are commemorating today is thus a bridge as it were, linking the two most important seasons of the Church's year.

Pancakes are the traditional choice on Candlemas. In Mexico, people eat tamales on this feast day, and in France, they eat crepes.

What are the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary?

The Joyful Mysteries include:

  • The Annunciation
  • The Visitation
  • The Nativity of Our Lord
  • The Presentation in the Temple
  • The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Presentation is celebrated in the Church as the World Day for Consecrated Life. Pope St. John Paul II instituted this annual celebration in 1997 as a day of prayer for religious men and women and other consecrated persons. This recalls the special offering which they have made to the Lord through their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In Rome, the Holy Father celebrates a special Mass for them at St. Peter’s, which the religious living in Rome attend.

Pope Benedict XVI said,

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent image of the total gift of one’s life for all those, men and women, who are called to represent “the characteristic features of Jesus — the chaste, poor and obedient one” (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Vita Consecrata, n. 1) in the Church and in the world, through the evangelical counsels. For this reason Venerable John Paul II chose today’s Feast to celebrate the Annual World Day of Consecrated Life.

what is a presentation in church

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What is Church Presentation Software?

Related software category:, why is capterra free, i'm looking for church presentation software that is:.

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ProPresenter

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EasyWorship

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Proclaim by Logos

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Worship Extreme

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LiveControl

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Sharefaith Presenter

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Risen Media

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Song of Songs

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Presentation Manager

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Worship Him

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Yet Another Sermon Host

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Church Presentation Software List for 2023: The Complete Guide

This guide compiles an up-to-date list (2023) of all the available church presentation software products, complete with features like verse and lyrics integrations you might be looking for.

what is a presentation in church

Dag Hendrik Lerdal

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church presentation software

The anxiety before presentations is real—and when it’s accompanied by technical difficulties, it becomes a nightmare !

If you’re one of the people searching for the ideal option to handle your AV and multimedia content for sermons and church presentations, you’ve come to the right place!

(Note: We are going to keep adding new products as they appear on the market and move discontinued products and projects to the graveyard section at the bottom of this post.)

SlideDog – A Church Presenter´s Best Friend

Our own alternative, SlideDog , is the go-to church presentation software for 100+ pastors and Church AV technicians conducting powerful sermons and church services.

It supports multiple media formats , including PowerPoints, PDF, webpages, videos, Prezi presentations, etc., to help you create a compelling sermon for your audience!

what is a presentation in church

All you need to do is drag and drop the files you want to present from your computer and reorder the items on the dashboard. Then, simply click “Play,” and you’ll have stress-free, beautiful presentations.

How SlideDog Helps You Create Sermon Presentations

Manage presentations on 2 screens simultaneously using the dual-screen mode.

Remotely control the presentation from your smartphone and share slides with your audience.

Live sharing to share the slides with your audience so they can follow along and participate in polls, chat, and ask questions (great for engaging Bible study!)

Run a never-ending slideshow using the digital signage feature for all your special events.

SlideDog Features

  • Remote control
  • Linux supprt
  • Live sharing
  • Multiple file format support (PPTX, PDF, Prezi, Websites, Images, Videos..)
  • Advanced presentation features (polls)
  • Confidence monitor support
  • Audience interaction capability (audience chat)

SlideDog Pricing

SlideDog offers a free version, and paid plans start from $19/month for 2 users, offline, and dual presentations. If you opt for the annual plan ($99/year), you’ll pay $8.25/month.

SlideDog Reviews by Pastors and Religious Leaders

If you check out SlideDog on Capterra , you’ll see that pastors commend the presentation tool for its flexibility, ease of use, and level of support! And once you get started with SlideDog, you won’t have to look any further – users stay on for years.

what is a presentation in church

Free Presentation Tools

A well-maintained open-source software with PowerPoint/LibreOffice Impress and VLC (open-source media player) integration, OpenLP works across Linux, Windows, OS X, and other platforms. You’ll get reliable church software to display songs, bible verses, presentations, and more!

It has a comprehensive user manual and offers advanced support for connected stage monitors. The platform is available to download on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

OpenLP

OpenLP Capabilites

  • Presentations (PowerPoints, PDF, Impress)
  • Video & Audio (VLC Integration)
  • Song, Bible & picture import
  • Custom slides (announcements, etc.)
  • Android/iOS remote control
  • Confidence monitor
  • Web-based stage view

OpenLP Features

  • Verse and lyrics support
  • Linux support
  • Live Sharing
  • Multiple file format support
  • Advanced presentation features
  • Audience interaction capability

Quelea is a free, open-source, multi-lingual lyric projection software for churches with various import options. You can easily migrate your existing content to Quela from other software such as EasyWorship, OpenLP, and OpenSong, and it supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Quela screenshot

It supports multiple file formats such as presentations, PowerPoint slides, PDF, Impress, etc., and offers video background support to add an extra appeal to your presentation. You can also record all your sermons and services using the free platform.

Quelea Capabilites

  • YouTube & DVD
  • stage view (Android app)
  • Video background support
  • Multilingual user interface
  • Live quick edit of text/songs
  • Recording of sermons/services
  • Remote via web browser

Quelea Features

Song of songs.

Free*, multi-lingual church presentation software focusing on song lyrics, but with lots more to offer once you look under the hood, Song of Songs has Bible, PowerPoint, and video support.

*Free as in free to use but after a month, a banner will appear at the bottom of the software, (control screen only, the display screen is left untouched) reminding you that you have been using Song of Songs and urging you do donate, which will remote the banner forever.

Song of Songs

It’s available for Windows 7 and up and has an active community forum . You’ll find great beginner-friendly tutorials on their website!

Song of Songs Capabilites

  • Presentations (PowerPoint import)
  • YouTube downloader
  • Cloud drive support (Dropbox, Google Drive ++)
  • Display twitter feeds

Song of Songs Features

Despite being free, VideoPsalm offers various features with a customizable MS Office-inspired user interface. It supports displaying Bible verses, song lyrics, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, picture slideshows, videos, and image galleries.

VideoPsalm Screenshot

You can find many tips on their blog to learn how to sync songs between devices using Dropbox and use video loops.

Unfortunately, it’s available only for Windows.

VideoPsalm Capabilites

  • Presentations (PowerPoint and Impress)
  • Video & Audio
  • YouTube display
  • Video loops
  • Live video background

VideoPsalm Features

OpenSong focuses on lyrics, chords, lead sheets, Bible verses, and scripture management. This free software also supports timed loops of slides with text and images and allows you to keep track of a song’s title, author, copyright, etc.

OpenSong screenshot

OpenSong is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux .

OpenSong Capabilites

  • API automation over HTTP and WebSocket
  • Built-in slide editor

OpenSong Features

As the name indicates, Bibleshow is a Bible- and scripture-focused church presentation software. 

It describes itself as “ a software solution for presenting Holy Scripture verses on any video display device connected to a personal computer running Microsoft Windows. ” 

The software supports many Bibles in multiple languages and allows for the customization of themes, backgrounds, fonts, and more. It also supports NDI (Network Device Interface) video monitors for more advanced church presentations.

BibleShow screenshot

You’ll also see a list of useful keyboard shortcuts and tries to set itself apart from others by offering to display any scripture using at most 3-4 mouse clicks. It also boasts being able to show 4 synchronized Bible verses on the same screen .

BibleShow Capabilites

  • Verse & Bible import

BibleShow Features

EasySlides (formerly EasiSlides) is designed for projecting lyrics and Bible texts with a video projector . 

It has some multimedia support in that it allows you to play audio and video files in the background, along with the lyrics.

EasySlides screenshot

You can also attach a live feed from a camcorder or use static or animated backgrounds .

EasySlides also has a built-in praise book generator, supports three-monitor output, and allows you to set up alerts and notifications.

The current version, v 5.1, is available to download on Windows only, and they have a very active user forum.

EasySlides Capabilites

  • Song & Bible import
  • Video, audio, and live cam support
  • Image backgrounds
  • HTML generator for publishing lyrics
  • Praisebook generator

EasySlides Features

Lyricue focuses on editing and displaying song lyrics and passages of text along with images and videos on a second screen/projector.

With Lyricue’s Linux-only solution, you are not restricted to setting everything up before the event, as you can add, remove and change songs on the fly . You can type up notes directly to the screen or quickly display a Bible verse instantly.

Since Lyricue is a networked software, you’ll need to set up a server on a Linux box and use a web interface called Precue to control Lyricue on the server computer or another remote device.

Lyricue screenshot

The user interface is translated into English, Spanish, German, French, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, and Swedish. It’s Linux only , uses a client-server architecture and requires technical insight to get it up and running .

Lyricue Capabilites

  • Video and live cam support
  • Import and edit songs, lyrics & text
  • Quick/live text edit
  • Remote control (Android)

Lyricue Features

Holyrics is mainly used for organizing and presenting slide shows and bible verses in worship and events. It seamlessly displays lyrics and verses and supports the VLC media player to play the audio and video in the presentation.

Holyrics screenshot

You can create beautiful themes with animated backgrounds and schedule songs to be played during the sermon.

Holyircs Capabilites

  • Animated background support
  • Easy to create custom themes
  • Finds lyrics online

Holyrics Features

Freeshow is a free, open-source presentation platform that anyone can use. Like other tools mentioned in this list, Freeshow allows you to create a presentation with lyrics, videos, images, etc., which makes it a good fit for engaging church presentations.

Freeshow screenshot

The editor is simple to use and has a drag-and-drop functionality that makes editing easy.

You can pick from different modes, including lyrics, video, text, etc., and various templates. Then, control multiple outputs directly from the platform.

Freeshow Capabilites

  • Song & Bible display
  • Drag and drop UI
  • Autoplay capabilities
  • Create and edit multiple stage views
  • YouTube & Vimeo video player
  • On-the-go editor

Freeshow Features

The best paid church presentation software, mediashout - one of the best church presentation tools.

MediaShout is a feature-rich church presentation software solution and comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a market leader. It is available for both Mac OS and Windows .

The user interface has many customization options, such as layout setup and light/dark theme, and supports multiple interface languages (French and Spanish, in addition to English).

Mediashout screenshot

If you have volunteers running the presentation, you can enable “Volunteer mode.” This will start up a simpler interface mode, hiding the settings and content editing controls.

Mediashout offers an iOS app (why no Android app?) to control your church presentation remotely, and supports USB wireless remotes.

It has built-in integration support for Dropbox (file sharing), Planning Center (worship planning tool), and SongSelect (song database). If you need support , their documentation is extensive, and they have a dedicated knowledge base app for iOS and Android to help with common technical issues.

MediaShout Capabilities for Church Presentations

  • Presentation editor & sermon builder
  • Imports PowerPoint as static slides
  • Public and copyrighted Bible verses
  • SongSelect integration
  • Announcements
  • Stage display
  • Confidence monitor / presenter view
  • iOS remote control (no Android)

MediaShout Features

Mediashout pricing.

MediaShout’s lifetime license starts at $399  

SlideDog - Software for Multimedia Church Presentations

Keep your flock’s attention on your presentation with SlideDog . This versatile presentation software offers a simple way to create a presentation playlist out of different content types (including PowerPoints, YouTube videos, web pages, and more).

what is a presentation in church

Keep Your Congregation Coming Back for More

Leverage different content types to keep your audience engaged: embed images, YouTube videos, live pages, and more!

Live-share your presentation to keep your flock engaged even when they can’t physically be at the sermon.

Remotely control your presentation from a mobile device!

Ask for presentation feedback with polls, and allow your audience to engage via the live chat (fantastic for Bible studies)!

Easily manage presentations with the dual-screen mode.

Drag & drop editor makes it easy to create seamless Church presentations without needing to become a tech wiz.

  • Digital signage

Capterra Review Joe G SlideDog

SlideDog offers a free version. If you decide to upgrade (from $8.25/mo) , you’ll get offline presentation options, additional users, and more! 

Additionally, you can get SlideDog’s church presentation software with a lifetime license for $299 (one-time payment).

Faithlife Proclaim

Faithlife’s Proclaim is a major player in the church presentation software space. Their license model is subscription-based.

Unlike others, they will allow you to create an unlimited number of team accounts and install the software on as many Mac or Windows PCs as you want, so it’s a good option if you handle AV for multiple churches , but can get clunky if you only need it for your own presentations. This also means your team can edit and run several concurrent presentations using the same license.

Proclaim Screenshot

Proclaim integrates with the usual lyric and verse providers (SongSelect, Planning Center, Logis Bible Software, and more), and any changes made to your service are saved to your teams’ cloud accounts.

If you’d like access to their (and their partners’) media library with over motions, stills, and mini-movies, you’ll need to opt for a higher-priced plan.

Proclaim has implemented polls & surveys in its church presentation software, making interacting and engaging with your congregation easier.

For remote control, you can use the Proclaim Remote App which works for iOS and Android.

Ultimately, Proclaim is probably the most complete church presentation tool out there. It has features and functionality that move beyond the garden-variety Sunday worship service.

Faithlife Proclaim Capabilities

  • Import PowerPoint as static slides
  • Public and copyrighted Bibles
  • Announcements and bulletins
  • Songs and music integration
  • Video backgrounds
  • Audience interaction features (live surveys/polls)
  • Digital signage support
  • Sermon recording & publishing
  • Confidence monitor/presenter view
  • Android and iOS remote control

Faithlife Proclaim Features

Faithlife proclaim pricing.

Proclaim for standard church presentations starts from $224.99/year . However, if you’d also like access to their media library , the plans start from $337.99/yr.

ProPresenter

ProPresenter is a cross-platform (Mac and Windows) worship and presentation software for live events, so it works perfectly for church presentations.

what is a presentation in church

It has advanced video editing features allowing you to crop and zoom videos dynamically from within the software. As for slides, ProPresenter allows you to control backgrounds, live video layers, slides, props, and masks independently.

In addition to these multimedia features, the software can be extended with Audio Visual modules (hardware and software products) to go further.

You’ll also get a scripture engine with Bible translations in various languages. You can import lyrics from SongSelect, and a built-in media store lets you add media from their partner media library (Worship House Media).

The user interface is multilingual and comes with an iOS/Android remote . It has cloud integration for saving and sharing content and a built-in Twitter wall feature , allowing you to curate and display Twitter posts.

ProPresenter Capabilities

  • Slide/presentation and video editor
  • Telestrator (draw on top of live output)
  • Twitter integration (with moderation support)
  • Stage display app
  • Output recording

ProPresenter Features

Propresenter pricing.

ProPresenter starts at $399 USD, one-time fee.

EasyWorship for Church Presentations

EasyWorship , a Windows-only church presentation software, focuses on being powerful, yet simple worship presentation software. Their user interface is clean and easy, with intuitive tabs for selecting songs, scriptures, media, presentations and themes.

what is a presentation in church

Unfortunately, EasyWorship doesn’t have all the features that MediaShout or Faithlife Proclaim can offer. Still, it contains the essentials like slide design, alerts, a remote app, a Bible search, and a media search engine powered by Skit Guys, Centerline New Media, Hyper Pixels Media, and others.

They have a flexible licensing solution, letting you choose between two subscription types. EasyWorship supports Alpha Channel, NewTek Tricaster AirSend, Blackmagic, and NewTek NDI for broadcasting .

EasyWorship Capabilities

  • Song and Bible integration
  • Stage & Audience alerts

EasyWorship Features

Easyworship pricing.

EasyWorship starts from $18/month

Zion Works is a worship presentation software product for Windows designed for a dual-screen setup.

The user interface is simple and lets you display songs, media, Bible scripture, and PowerPoint slides on a secondary monitor while controlling the flow from the main monitor.

what is a presentation in church

You create playlists of these components, which you can package and transfer to another computer. It integrates with the Bibles of the BibleGateway website, and you can import songs and CCLI formatted files. Like other worship software, you can also instantly display popup alerts and notifications.

ZionWorks Capabilities

  • PowerPoint integration
  • Audience alerts

ZionWorks Features

Zionworks pricing.

ZionWorks starts from $14.50/month.

Big Screen is, unlike others, a web-based church presentation solution. That means you don’t have to install any software, and you can run it on both Mac OS and Windows using a modern browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Big Screen Screenshot

The downside to this is that an internet connection is required .

Big Screen is split into two sections; the admin section and the control surface. The control surface is the interface to present your media. You can add songs, videos, images, timers, and Bible scriptures to playlists and save them in your online library.

When presenting, multiple new browser windows will be created for each of the screens connected to your computer. You will then have to drag the window to the correct screen. This can make it a bit clunky , but if Big Screen otherwise meets your requirements, it might be worth a compromise.

BigScreen Capabilities

  • Functions as a web browser app
  • Looping background videos
  • Bible and song/lyrics integration
  • YouTube integration

BigScreen Features

Bigscreen pricing.

BigScreen starts from AUD $15 per month.

FreeWorship’s Paid Version: Is It Worth It?

FreeWorship does have a free version, but if you opt for the Pro plan, you’ll get a lot more features.

FreeWorship screenshot

The biggest difference between the Free and Pro versions is that the latter includes licensed Bibles, comes with a SongSelect integration, and features website projection, live Twitter feeds, and Google Slides support .

Both the Free and Pro versions support PowerPoint slides and can play videos, songs, images, and Bible scriptures. FreeWorship is compatible with Windows Vista and above.

The user interface is similar to other worship software, consisting of a playlist of media items, controls for launching and adding new items, and “Preview/Up Next” and “Live” viewer panels.

FreeWorship Capabilities

  • Google Slides integration
  • Twitter alerts
  • Web page integration

FreeWorship Features

Freeworhsip pricing.

FreeWorship Pro starts at £ 10.00   / month

WorshipTools Presenter

WorshipTools Presenter (FKA WorshipExtreme) is a modern church presentation software for Mac OS and Windows . It features song lyrics, slide editors, and Google Slides integration.

The software works with the Worship Extreme cloud server, where all your media and playlists are stored in your personal Worship Extreme Media Library.

what is a presentation in church

It doesn’t support PowerPoint natively, but you can import slide decks, which will automatically be converted into a suitable format for Worship Extreme. The software lets you import lyrics from SongSelect, OpenLP, MediaShout, and EasyWorship.

Both Free and Paid Bible formats can be imported. Worship Extreme also features a Remote App and a Stage Display app, both available for iOS and Android.

Other features that deserve to be mentioned include the congregation/audience polls, alerts, countdown timers, and their LiveSwap integration.

WorshipTools Presenter Capabilities

  • Stage display app (iOS/Android)
  • Library of motion graphics (video loops)

WorshipTools Presenter Features

Worshiptools pricing.

This church presentation software has a freemium version, while the Pro version will set you back for $15/month.

Presentation Manager

Presentation Manager is a Windows and Mac worship projection tool with a built-in media database of over 500 songs and images and over 100 videos. 

The user interface looks a bit dated but has essential controls for displaying videos, images, songs, and scriptures.

Presentation Manager Screenshot

Presentation Manager supports displaying PowerPoint natively and has built-in editors for songs and image/graphic backgrounds .

You can create sermon notes and view these while giving the presentation, set up looping announcement slides, and toggle alerts for displaying numbers, sets of numbers, or messages during worship.

Presentation Manager Capabilities

  • Audience announcements/alerts

Presentation Manager Features

Presentation manager pricing.

You can get the lifetime license by paying the $250 one-time fee . Upgrades come at an additional charge.

SongShow Plus

SongShow Plus is well-rounded worship presentation software. It displays songs, scripture, images, video, and web pages (including YouTube & Vimeo) and allows you to import PowerPoint slides.

what is a presentation in church

It has built-in editors with tools for colorization, hue adjustments, blurs, hinges, reflections, image masking, overlay, and more. You can sync your content to your cloud account at Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive.

Contentwise, SongShow directly integrates with Shift Worship , where you can find over 3000 pre-produced mini-movies, motion, and still backgrounds for worship environments.

SongShow Plus also includes integration with Planning Center, and they have their own app on Google Play for controlling the Windows application remotely.

SongShowPlus Capabilities

  • Built-in presentation editor
  • PowerPoint import
  • Web page and YouTube support
  • Sync content with cloud storage provides
  • Connects to Shift Worship media library

SongShowPlus Features

Songshowplus pricing.

First-time users’ pricing for SongShowPlus starts from $249, but we recommend reviewing their website to pick the right option.

Creation Software’s SongPro

SongPro is handy church presentation software for Windows with plenty of options for songs, images, (looped) videos, and the ability to display web pages and YouTube videos during your presentations. You’ll also get full Bible text-search capabilities to make sure your presentation is exactly the way you imagined it.

what is a presentation in church

In addition to multimedia content, SongPro offers live editing, creating service plans, and multilingual translation.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a remote control option and it’s Windows-only, which can affect your decision.

SongPro Capabilities

Songpro features, songpro pricing.

SongPro’s plan with the ESV Bible will set you back for £90/year.

Worship Him

Worship Him , a church presentation software for Windows ,  comes in a Lite and Power edition, with the major difference being that the Lite edition only supports one projector feed. In contrast, the Power edition supports up to five.

what is a presentation in church

It has 13 Bible versions and a large selection of video backgrounds, stills, hymns, and graphics . It supports Windows Vista and up. You can try it by downloading the free trial version of Worship Him, which is fully functional but only includes a sample of the graphics and Bible versions.

Their license is site-based, meaning that customers may install Worship Him on as many computers as they want, providing that it is for their use only. They don’t have any mobile apps but instead, offer a network remote control mode inside the application that lets you control up to 3 other computers running Worship Him.

Worship Him Capabilities

  • PowerPoint and Impress integration
  • Video/motion backgrounds
  • Live camera and motion background support
  • Network-based remote control

Worship Him Features

Worship him pricing.

Worship Him starts from $199.95 (one-time fee).

Graveyard for Discontinued Church Presentation Software

This section is dedicated to the software you may have heard about a while back, but that has unfortunately been discontinued or hasn’t been updated in many, many years..

🥀 Does Praisenter Still Work?

Praisenter was an application that displayed Bible verses, songs, and notifications (among other things) to a secondary display, typically a projector, monitor, or television, for use in a church service or event. Unfortunately, the last update was in 2014.

  • Price: Free and Open Source
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

🥀 Does Screen Monkey Still Work?

Screen Monkey is professional media playback and control software for live events, theatre, churches, and broadcasting. If you’re a church leader who wants to display the song lyrics , you might want to check out their Worship Monkey package.

One big caveat is that, at the time of us refreshing this guide (2023), it seems as though the software is no longer actively supported. The copyright has been refreshed in 2020, and the security certificate of the website has expired, so we recommend getting in touch with the provider to ensure it’s still operational.

  • Price: Free and premium at a one-time fee of $270.
  • Supported OS: Windows

🥀 Does Sharefaith Presenter’s Church Presentation Plugin Still Work?

Unlike most other church presentation software products, Sharefaith Presenter isn’t a stand-alone application, it’s a PowerPoint Plugin . Now, we’ve placed it in the graveyard as it’s no longer actively supported, so you may be better off with a regularly updated church presentation tool

  • Price: Starts from $19/month
  • Supported program: Windows PowerPoint

🥀 Does PowerWorship Still Work?

PowerWorship enabled you to create and maintain a library of worship songs and could be used to build presentation slides for Microsoft PowerPoint and Apache OpenOffice. It came in Free, Standard, and Premium versions. Unfortunately, the last release was in 2016.

  • Price: From USD $29

🥀 Is LiveWorship Still Operational?

LiveWorship by GeekJam, LLC was a Mac/Windows cross-platform worship solution. It featured a drag-and-drop interface and displayed Bible scriptures, songs, audio, video, and image backgrounds. Unfortunately, their main website is no longer fully operational and the last release was in 2012.

  • Price: Starts from $199
  • Supported OS: Windows, Mac

🥀 Does ShowShare Work?

ShowShare was a web-based presentation software for Christian worship. It didn’t require any installation and could work on any web-enabled device or platform. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s maintained.

  • Price: Unknown
  • Supported OS: Web based

🥀 Is Ephphatha Still Operational?

Ephphatha was a church presentation software tool made in India. A few years ago, their web page wasn’t very clear on what features were included or how much the software cost, and these days it’s not even operational.

  • Supported OS: Unknown

🥀 Does WorshipCenter Pro Still Work?

WorshipCenter Pro featured a built-in scripture database and support for PowerPoint, video files, images, Flash presentations, and web pages. It included over 4,000 hymns and an interface to CCLI SongSelect to import contemporary praise songs. Their website is no longer operational, and the last version came out in 2010.

  • Price: One-time $44 fee

🥀 Does Sunday Worship Still Work?

Sunday Worship is church song presentation software for Windows that allows you to project songs, scriptures, photos, videos, and notices for all the congregation to see. Unfortunately, their software isn’t updated frequently (the last update was in 2016), so it might not be as easy to scale the wow effect once your congregation starts loving your presentations.

  • Price: One.time $44 fee.

Verdict: Which Church Presentation Software Should You Choose?

The choice depends on your requirement.

If you’re more traditional and only work with presentation software a few times every year, you’re better off with the free tools that handle the basics.

However, if editing videos or creating high-quality presentations is something you do frequently to keep your flock engaged, you’ll love the paid tools’ support.

SlideDog is a great option when you need a presentation launch pad that focuses on interacting with your audience and keeps their attention till the very end! You create the playlist with different media files (including PowerPoint presentations, videos, and more).

Focus on your message; SlideDog will handle the technical details to run a presentation that’ll be the talk of the town!

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The Feast of the Presentation

The Feast of the Presentation

According to the Church’s liturgical calendar, the feast held on Feb. 2 each year is in honor of the Presentation of the Lord. Some Catholics recall this day as the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary because such was the feast day named until the 1969 changes in the Church’s calendar.

In fact, according to Luke’s Gospel, the presentation of Jesus and the purification of the Blessed Mother took place in the Temple on the same day, and both are remembered during Mass on Feb. 2. Also, in several countries, Candlemas is simultaneously celebrated on this day and involves a candlelight procession that was popularized in the Middle Ages. Until the Second Vatican Council the feasts on Feb. 2 ended the Christmas season. Today, the season ends in January on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

As early as the fourth century Christians commemorated the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, but, at the time, there was no feast name attached. In seventh-century Rome, the Church named the celebration the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mother Mary, and it remained that way for nearly 1,300 years. In the reforms after Vatican II, the feast was given a stronger focus on Jesus (by stressing the Presentation of Jesus), but clearly the events of purification and presentation that took place when Jesus was 40 days old (see Lk 2:22-39) are tied together and thus commemorated together.

Purification and Presentation

Under Mosaic law found in the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, a Jewish woman who gave birth to a child was considered unclean (see 12:1-8). The mother of a newborn could not routinely go out into public and had to avoid all things sacred, including the Temple. If her child was a male, this exclusion lasted for 40 days. If the child was female, the period lasted 80 days. This was a ceremonial seclusion and not the result of sin or some kind of wrongdoing on the part of the mother.

At the end of the 40 or 80 days the woman presented herself at the Temple to be purified. If the baby was her firstborn male child, the infant was brought along to the Temple to be dedicated to the Lord. The law in Exodus specifies that the first male child belongs to God (see 13:2-16). This law is a tribute to God for His sparing the firstborn Israelite males during the time of the Exodus from Egypt. The firstborn Egyptian male children, of course, were not spared.

The mother’s purification ritual obliged her to bring, or purchase at the Temple, a lamb and a turtledove as sacrificial offerings. The lamb was offered in thanksgiving to God for the successful birth of the child; the turtledove was a sin offering. Families that could not afford a lamb could bring two pigeons or two turtledoves. After these animals were sacrificed, the Temple priest prayed over the woman and she could once again resume her normal role or status.

Mary, the ever spotless Mother of God, certainly did not have to comply with this ritual, but did so to honor God and observe all the rules handed down by Moses. She was the holiest of all women, but she still submitted to the humbling requirements of the law. She remained at home for 40 days, denied herself all association with sacred things and on the day required walked the five miles from Bethlehem to the Temple in Jerusalem. Arriving at the Temple, Mary likely stood in line and waited her turn to see the priest.

Nunc Dimittis

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus, Mary and Joseph go to the Temple offering two turtledoves for Mary’s purification. Along with Mary’s willing submission, Jesus is presented into the hands of the priest and thus to God. In accordance with the Old Testament, the child was blessed and then bought or ransomed back by the family who would pay five shekels into the Temple treasury. The Savior of the world is ransomed in the manner of every other Hebrew boy. “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord’”(Lk 2:22-24; see Nm 18:15-16).

The Gospel of Luke explains that the old prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna were at the Temple that day (see 2:22-38). They, like many others, had spent their lifetime waiting, longing for a Messiah, and the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Savior. Among all the children and mothers coming into the Temple, Simeon recognized Jesus as the Christ Child; he held Jesus and exclaimed this hymn of thanksgiving, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (2:29-32). The hymn has traditionally been termed the Nunc Dimittis , from the Latin, “ Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace .”

Like Mary, Jesus the Divine Son of God did not have to undergo these rituals, but His parents willingly complied in order to pay tribute to Jewish laws, to avoid any possible scandal and in so doing demonstrated profound humility. They acquiesced to the law like all poor Jewish families.

The Holy Family must have experienced great joy, even wonder at all that had happened to them. Consider the events of the previous weeks. First, the shepherds miraculously arrived to adore and praise Jesus on the night He was born. And now, Simeon, another stranger, singles out Jesus as the Savior, not only of Israel but of the world. Someday all the other children being presented will know Jesus as their Savior. But here in the Temple there is also pain. The old prophet, moved by the Holy Spirit, tells Mary that she will experience unspeakable grief because of the outrageous way the world would judge and treat her Son. But Mary remained always committed to God’s will and to her Son.

Feb. 2 is on the liturgical calendar as the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, but in addition to the presentation, the Mass recalls Mary’s humble submission to the purification ritual.

D.D. Emmons writes from O’Fallon, Ill.  

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What Is a Baby Dedication in the Church and Are They Biblical?

  • Jason Soroski Contributing Writer
  • Updated Oct 16, 2020

What Is a Baby Dedication in the Church and Are They Biblical?

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”-  Matthew 19:14

Children and families are at the heart of the Kingdom of God and the gospel message itself. The story of Jesus began in the family of Joseph and Mary; this young couple had to stand against opposition, community gossip, and grow together spiritually while trusting fully in the promises of God. During his final moments on the cross, Jesus continued to show the deep meaning of family as he made certain that Mary was taken care of by giving John the role of 'her son’ . The home, the family, and the place of children in it are undeniably foundational to the Christian faith. Baby dedications, therefore, are not just for the baby; they are for the parents, the family, and the Church as a whole.

Baby dedications are beautiful moments in the life of a church during which parents present their young children before the church and devote themselves to raise that child in a godly home. These ceremonies may occur during a regular church service or they may be separate events. In larger churches, there will likely be multiple families represented and in smaller churches possibly just one family. In either setting, gathered church members agree to join in covenant with the family to encourage, assist, and equip them in raising their children as within the body of Christ.

Where Does the Bible Mention Baby Dedications?

  • “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him” – Psalm 127:3 .
  • “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” – Matthew 19:14 .
  • “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 .

Other places in Scripture that mention the idea of dedicating children are 1 Samuel 1:11 , where Hannah vows to dedicate her son Samuel to the Lord, and Luke 2:22 , where we see Mary and Joseph at the Temple presenting Jesus to the Lord. These are just a few verses that apply to the dedication of children and verses that are often part of a baby dedication ceremony. There are many, many more .

What's the Difference between Infant Baptism and Baby Dedications?

Infant baptism and baby dedication are not the same. Both ceremonies involve parents presenting their infant children before the church, but there is a different theology at work between the two. Generally speaking, Baptist, non-denominational, and some other Protestant churches practice baby dedication , while Catholic, Orthodox, and other Protestant traditions (several mentioned above) hold infant baptism  ceremonies where infants are ‘christened’ into the faith through the sprinkling of water. According to the Baptist view, baby dedication is not an act of salvation , baptism, or church membership. It is seen as a symbolic way to present the child to the church and make a covenant to raise the child in a godly home. There is no water involved, as according to this view salvation and baptism are events that will come later when the child grows and accepts Christ personally. This is often called ‘believer’s baptism,’ as it happens when the child makes a profession of faith.

One further thing to note is that gospel-centered churches agree that baptism is the sign of the new covenant in the Church established by Jesus Christ. Faithful Christians can thoughtfully disagree, however, on the terms of baptism: infant baptism vs. believer's baptism. Proponents for infant baptism will link scriptural examples of circumcision and the inclusion of children and families in both the Old and New Testament for their theology of baptizing infants, while proponents for believer's baptism will cite scriptural examples of adults being baptized in John's baptism and in the early church accompanied by a profession of faith. The Bible neither commands nor prohibits the baptism of children in the New Testament, therefore, it is up to churches to discern how they will structure the sacrament of baptism. Regardless of which theology you align with, faith is necessary for either type of baptism - an infant who is baptized is brought into covenant community to be raised with the teachings of Christianity, where it is hoped and prayed for that they will have a regenerate heart (their heart will be transformed by the Holy Spirit and they will profess faith). Proponents of believer's baptism will wait for a profession of faith before baptizing, therefore, baby dedication is a way to present children to the church (outside of sacrament and membership) with the purpose of raising them according to Christian beliefs. 

The practices of infant baptism and baby dedication may seem similar, but they hold different theological implications. Neither involves an act of salvation (except in the Catholic Church), but one is a sacrament of baptism that will require faith later and the other is a dedication (not a sacrament) also set in the hope and prayer that faith will be produced leading to baptism later.

Why Do Churches Still Do Baby Dedications?

“the first step on the legacy pathway is Family Dedication. This is a seminar and a ceremony that normally occurs for parents who have children between birth and one year of age. Parents, through a two-hour required seminar, learn how to become primary faith trainers for their children and accept the responsibility. Resources and learning opportunities are provided for the new parents desiring to dedicate their child to the Lord. During the ceremony, the church body commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the journey”.

This is an in-depth and beautiful approach to all that a baby dedication can be: not just a symbolic ‘cute’ event, but a truly meaningful and affirming covenant event through which the church agrees to support and encourage families as they seek to raise their children in Christ.

Even the best of us will struggle, especially when it comes to raising children! It is heartbreaking when we see families honestly trying their best to raise children in a godly home, then make mistakes, and feel judged for it. It is far worse when they actually are being judged for it. Baby dedications (or family dedications) ask churches to move away from judgment and into discipleship. We are the body of Christ, and all of our families are extensions of his larger family! We are designed to guide and pray for one another, and this is one part of doing just that. Just like a Christian wedding ceremony, baby dedications are more than just a pretty event, but the initiation of a covenant relationship. Some might argue that baby dedications are a silly thing that churches don’t really need to do anymore, but when practiced correctly and thoughtfully the opposite is true. When we consider the depth of meaning that comes from such a covenant, baby dedications are no longer just ‘things we still do’, but instead place among the most meaningful moments in the life of a church.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kzenon

Jason Soroski   is a homeschool dad and member of the worship team at matthias lot church in St. Charles, MO. He spends his free time hanging out with his family, exploring new places, and writing about the experiences. Connect on Facebook or at JasonSoroski.net.

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

  • Guy Kawasaki

what is a presentation in church

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

  • Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
  • Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
  • Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
  • Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

what is a presentation in church

  • Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

Partner Center

Marysville church to host Dana Nessel for presentation on senior scams

what is a presentation in church

A Marysville church is slated to host Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel later this month for a presentation to relay information on senior scams.

According to the Rev. Curtis Clarke, a pastor for the Marysville United Methodist Church, the event, which is set for Saturday, April 27, will provide details on how to avoid scams and actions individuals can take to reduce their risk of being victimized.

“A recent study f rom the University of Michigan confirmed that senior citizens are more likely to fall victim to phone, mail, and online scams,” he said via email. “More than two-thirds of older Michigan residents report someone tried to scam in the past two years. This is a serious threat to the safety and security of our senior population.”

Clarke said the event is part of the church’s semiannual “Lunch and Learn” series, and that they were opening up the April 27 session to the community, citing Nessel’s appearance.

A spokesperson from the attorney general’s office confirmed the appearance on Friday.

Clarke said guests are invited to bring their own lunch in the church’s fellowship hall at 721 W. Huron Blvd. from noon to 12:30 p.m. when the presentation would begin. Refreshments will be provided afterward.

Those interested, according to an event flyer, are encouraged to register by calling (810) 364-7391 or finding a link to register on their website under special events at www.umcmarysville.com .

Watch CBS News

What is Eid al-Fitr? 6 questions about the holiday and how Muslims celebrate it, answered

By Ken Chitwood

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 8:03 AM EDT / The Conversation

Ken Chitwood  is a senior research fellow, Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and journalist-fellow at the Dornsife Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the  University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences .

Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam's principal festivals, will be celebrated April 9, 2024, according to the Fiqh Council of North America . At the middle of June, Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha. Ken Chitwood, a scholar of global Islam, explains the two Islamic festivals.

1. What is Eid?

Eid literally means a "festival" or "feast" in Arabic. There are two major eids in the Islamic calendar per year – Eid al-Fitr earlier in the year and Eid al-Adha later.

Eid al-Fitr is a three-day-long festival and is known as the "Lesser" or "Smaller Eid" when compared to Eid al-Adha, which is four days long and is known as the "Greater Eid."

Eid al-Fitr in Indonesia

2. Why is Eid celebrated twice a year?

The two Eids recognize, celebrate and recall two distinct events that are significant to the story of Islam.

Eid al-Fitr means "the feast of breaking the fast." The fast, in this instance, is Ramadan , which recalls the revealing of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad and requires Muslims to fast from sunrise to sundown for a month.

3. How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr features two to three days of celebrations that include special morning prayers. People greet each other with "Eid Mubarak," meaning "Blessed Eid" and with formal embraces. Sweet dishes are prepared at home and gifts are given to children and to those in need. In addition, Muslims are encouraged to forgive and seek forgiveness. Practices vary from country to country.

In many countries with large Muslim populations, Eid al-Fitr is a national holiday. Schools, offices and businesses are closed so family, friends and neighbors can enjoy the celebrations together. In the U.S. and the U.K., Muslims may request to have the day off from school or work to travel or celebrate with family and friends.

In countries like Egypt and Pakistan, Muslims decorate their homes with lanterns, twinkling lights or flowers. Special food is prepared and friends and family are invited over to celebrate.

PAKISTAN-RELIGION-ISLAM-EID

In places like Jordan, with its Muslim majority population, the days before Eid al-Fitr can see a rush at local malls and special "Ramadan markets" as people prepare to exchange gifts on Eid al-Fitr.

In Turkey and in places that were once part of the Ottoman-Turkish empire such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, it is also known as the, "Lesser Bayram" or "festival" in Turkish.

4. How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha?

The other festival, Eid al-Adha, is the "feast of the sacrifice." It comes at the end of the Hajj , an annual pilgrimage by millions of Muslims to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is obligatory once in a lifetime, but only for those with means.

Eid al-Adha recalls the story of how God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of faith. The story, as narrated in the Quran, describes Satan's attempt to tempt Ibrahim so he would disobey God's command. Ibrahim, however, remains unmoved and informs Ismail, who is willing to be sacrificed.

But, just as Ibrahim attempts to kill his son, God intervenes and a ram is sacrificed in place of Ismail. During Eid al-Adha, Muslims slaughter an animal to remember Ibrahim's sacrifice and remind themselves of the need to submit to the will of God.

5. When are they celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the final month in the Islamic calendar.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and dates are calculated based on lunar phases. Since the Islamic calendar year is shorter than the solar Gregorian calendar year by 10 to 12 days, the dates for Ramadan and Eid on the Gregorian calendar can vary year by year.

6. What is the spiritual meaning of Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr, as it follows the fasting of Ramadan, is also seen as a spiritual celebration of Allah's provision of strength and endurance.

Amid the reflection and rejoicing, Eid al-Fitr is a time for charity, known as Zakat al-Fitr. Eid is meant to be a time of joy and blessing for the entire Muslim community and a time for distributing one's wealth.

Charity to the poor is a highly emphasized value in Islam. The Quran says ,

"Believe in Allah and his messenger, and give charity out of the (substance) that Allah has made you heirs of. For those of you who believe and give charity – for them is a great reward."

This piece incorporates materials from an article first published on Aug. 28, 2017. The dates have been updated. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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what is a presentation in church

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  1. Church Presentation: Ultimate Guide To Software And Best Ideas

    Church presentation software, or worship software, is the technology tool that enables a church presentation to be streamed or projected onto a big screen or played on TV screens throughout the church building. Without church presentation software, information like a graphic, a song lyric, or an excerpt of scripture wouldn't be accessible to ...

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    Start Designing a Church Presentation. Easy to create and customize. Beautifully designed templates. Millions of photos, icons and illustrations. Easily download or share. Give your service a visual boost with our free church presentation maker! Next Sunday, let Canva keep your congregation engaged and the kiddos awake.

  3. 10 Basic Do's And Don'ts With Church Presentations

    A simple change or bit of investment can go a long way. Instead use photos of people you are directly ministering to or congregation members and lose the clipart. 7) Do Have A Backup Plan. Technology is a great tool and should be used to make your sermon, song, or skit go from good to great.

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    Better Church Presentations: Ways to Make Presentations. In the first (proper) part of this series about Better Church Presentations, I'll be taking a brief look at some of the many programs, apps and sites where you can make presentations. I'll also look at costs, as that's a big factor for many churches and ministries (and people in ...

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    7. FreeWorship. FreeWorship has a free and premium version. For simple church presentations, the free version is really all you need. However, if you want additional support, more integrations with other tools and more advanced search features, you'll need the premium version for $13.67/month.

  6. 5 Things Every Church Presentation Needs to Do

    Here are five things every church presentation needs to do. 1. Welcome everyone. Your welcome slide (or video) should reflect the atmosphere you want to create and the character of your church. You could use a still slide with the name of your church or a subtle motion graphic for a different effect. Some churches use a video of a staff person ...

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    One of the biggest presentation killers in church today is low contrast. A low-contrast presentation puts light-colored text atop light-colored backgrounds (or less commonly, dark text on dark backgrounds). "Light on light" or "dark on dark" is difficult for your congregation to read. And if it's hard to read, it's either ...

  8. Create Sermon Presentation Slides

    1. Make presentation slides as simple as possible. Avoid this. For sermon slides, less is always more. By keeping slides simple, you draw in the congregation's eyes and help people focus on your main points. Cluttered presentation slides appear jumbled, with excess visual clutter that's tough to wade through.

  9. 13 Best Free Church Presentation Software for Easy Worship

    5. EasySlides. EasiSlides is a free worship song projection software designed for projecting lyrics and Bible texts—basically, it's designed for church worship. With over 80,000 downloads and counting, EasySlides is a very popular option for anyone looking for free church presentation software. Managing worship songs.

  10. 7 keys to effective missionary presentations

    Rehearse, out loud. Know your technology and what the church uses. Be prepared to give your presentation without the technology, if necessary. 7. Show gratitude. Your audience has given you their time and attention. Make sure to thank them for it. I understand that many people fear public speaking more than death.

  11. How to Create Engaging Church Slides

    Before you begin next week's presentation for church, read on for essential tips on crafting engaging and dynamic sermon slides. ‍. 1. Create a Bold Church Welcome Slide. ‍. Welcome slides for church should be instantly recognizable. Include your church logo or follow the same theme while crafting it so whoever attends knows what they are ...

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    Worship Extreme (Presenter) vs ProPresenter. MediaShout vs ProPresenter. Microsoft PowerPoint vs ProPresenter. Keynote vs ProPresenter. Prezi vs ProPresenter. Proclaim vs ProPresenter. If you're not quite sure how to get started on choosing the best church presentation software for your ministry, this guide will help. Read more here.

  14. Presentation of the Lord

    The Presentation is celebrated in the Church as the World Day for Consecrated Life. Pope St. John Paul II instituted this annual celebration in 1997 as a day of prayer for religious men and women and other consecrated persons. This recalls the special offering which they have made to the Lord through their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

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    ZionWorx. 4.7 (55) View Profile. High-quality, affordable church presentation software that does its job with no fuss. Download a 30-day fully-functional trial today! Learn more about ZionWorx.

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    Unlike most other church presentation software products, Sharefaith Presenter isn't a stand-alone application, it's a PowerPoint Plugin. Now, we've placed it in the graveyard as it's no longer actively supported, so you may be better off with a regularly updated church presentation tool. Price: Starts from $19/month.

  17. Industry-Leading Church Worship Software

    ProPresenter is the leader in House of Worship and Church presentation software. With ProPresenter 7, the presentation suite you may already know is more powerful than ever before, with a reliable video engine capable of rendering and presenting videos and presentations, with support for multiple streams and even pro-level video outputs.

  18. The Feast of the Presentation

    According to the Church's liturgical calendar, the feast held on Feb. 2 each year is in honor of the Presentation of the Lord. Some Catholics recall this day as the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary because such was the feast day named until the 1969 changes in the Church's calendar. In fact, according to Luke's Gospel ...

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    According to the Baptist view, baby dedication is not an act of salvation, baptism, or church membership. It is seen as a symbolic way to present the child to the church and make a covenant to ...

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    The Presentation of the Lord is portrayed in mosaic in the Rosary Walk and Garden Living a Consecrated Life. On this day, we also reflect on the gift of consecrated life. While the momentary satisfaction of selfish living ultimately leads to emptiness, living a life of holiness, dedicated to God's service, will give true contentment and peace.

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    A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you're pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something ...

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    A Marysville church is slated to host Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel later this month for a presentation to relay information on senior scams. According to the Rev. Curtis Clarke, a pastor ...

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