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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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 […]

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.

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*

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

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

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.

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

Disclaimer: I am the developer. 🙂

Thank you for your help

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

Good suggestion Peter, will try to get it done.

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 […]

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.

how to download this software

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

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

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?

https://openlp.org/

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 🙂

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.

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!

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

Thanks for pointing it out, correct now.

Easyworship

It’s not free.

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.

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!

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.

it’s helpful

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 .

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.

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

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

See author's posts

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

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

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What is FreeShow

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FreeShow Key Features

Powerful editing.

Limitless Customization: A Robust editor to alter text font, size, color, and add outlines, shadows, with almost boundless possibilities.

On-the-Fly Text Editing: Make live changes to your text during presentations with the Edit mode.

Timed & Automated Play

Autoplay: Set timers on slides for seamless transitions.

Countdowns: Easily let your congregation know when services will start with built in countdowns.

MIDI Controls: Receive MIDI commands to advance slides or send MIDI commands on slide change to trigger lighting and other changes.

Multiple Views

Simultaneous Outputs: Show the same presentation with different looks for your in-person audience, online audience, and a stage view for leaders.

Web Output: Users can connect to the presentation from their mobile devices. Perfect for pastor sermon notes or musicians.

NDI Support: We fully support output over NDI. No need for converters or SDI cables to send your lyrics to the computer running your online stream.

Remote Control: Allow your pastor or worship minister to control the show directly from their mobile device. Excellent for rehearsals of for smaller churches.

Template & Design

Sleek Templates: Modify your slide styles swiftly with a variety of templates.

Dynamic Layouts: Resize and organize your display areas as per your requirement.

Create & Show

Create Impactful Shows: Easily arrange slides and layouts for lyrics, presentations, events, and more, ensuring a smooth flow in your presentations.

Dynamic Media Integration: Effortlessly drag images and videos into your slides as backgrounds enhancing the visual appeal of your presentations.

Scripture & Lyric Integration

Scripture Integration: Easily look up passages and turn them into slides with one click.

Lyric Integration: It's no longer necessary to manually enter the lyrics to all the songs. Just enter the title and click search and be amazed as the slides are automatically created for you.

Plays Well With Others

Import: Import Presentations from PowerPoint, ProPresenter, EasyWorship, OpenSong, and other platforms.

Export: You're not locked in and can export your content in multiple formats at any time.

Cloud Sync: Allow multiple people within your church to work on presentations from different computers with cloud sync.

How FreeShow Compares

Unlike other presentation software providers, we are not a business. We are a non-profit that exists solely to serve churches. Our biggest difference is in the name. FreeShow is and always will be free. This is possible due to the generous support of donors. Learn more. That isn't the only way FreeShow stands above the alternatives. It is also a very feature-rich application. Here is how we stack up.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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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12 Best Worship Presentation Software Reviewed For 2024

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Based on my experience as an assistant youth pastor, I’ve selected and reviewed the best worship presentation software to foster a more immersive and participatory worship experience for congregants.

10 Best Worship Presentation Software Shortlist

Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 12 tools reviewed.

• 1. FaithLife — Worship presentation software with tons of preloaded media
• 2. Shift Worship — Worship presentation software pre-loaded with mini-movies and church videos
• 3. Quelea — Worship presentation software with a wide variety of Bible options
• 4. OpenLP — Worship presentation software that works with Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD
• 5. Presentation Manager — Worship presentation software that supports multiple screen displays
• 6. KAMWISE — Worship presentation software that works with Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD
• 7. Praisenter — Worship presentation software for creating and editing songs
• 8. ProPresenter — Worship presentation software with built-in multi-screen feature
• 9. Worship Tools — Worship presentation software with a “music stand” app for singing along
• 10. Google Slides — Free presentation program for creating, formatting, and presenting using your web browser.

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There are so many different presentation tools on the market that choosing the best one can be tricky. You want to display visual content such as song lyrics, Bible verses, videos, and images during religious services or events - and need the right tool for your space. I've got you covered! In this post, I leverage my personal experience working as an assistant youth pastor for a megachurch and my exposure to tools as a technical consultant to share my picks of the best worship presentation software.

What is Worship Presentation Software?

Worship presentation software refers to specialized computer programs that facilitate the display of multimedia content during worship services, prayer meetings, or other religious gatherings. It serves as a tool for organizing and presenting elements like song lyrics, Bible verses, announcements, videos, and images on projection screens or monitors within the worship space.

Additionally, it often offers functions like scripture integration, live video streaming, stage display options, and compatibility with remote control devices for smooth operation during services.

Overviews Of The 10 Best Worship Presentation Software

Here’s a brief description of each worship presentation app to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.

Worship presentation software with tons of preloaded media

• Proclaim pricing starts at $19.99 per month for the basic package or $29.99 per month for the Pro package

Faithlife Proclaim is a worship presentation platform that supports unlimited installs and accounts, so any member of your media or worship team can use it. Because it is cloud-based, members in different locations can work on the same presentation simultaneously. Faithlife Proclaim lets you reformat a slideshow or presentation, ensuring that it is ready to upload to your website or social media account after in-person services and presentations.

Faithlife Proclaim comes pre-loaded with more than 1,000 media files. You can save time because there’s no need to scour the internet for images or videos while creating presentations. The software also automatically reformats your texts like song lyrics and Bible verses to fit the background, ensuring that church members can read them properly. If you need more preloaded media files, you can get the pro plan with a media library of more than 15,000 files.

• Check out FaithLife on their website

Shift Worship

Worship presentation software pre-loaded with mini-movies and church videos

• $149 per year for unlimited downloads. To access files editable on third-party platforms and the DropBox integration, you’ll need the Pro plan, which starts at $249 per year. You can also buy individual files for a one-off fee.

Shift Worship is a worship presentation software that gives you access to an extensive library of images, audio, and videos. You can also use Shift Worship to boost your presence on social media because you can upload the video clips and images you create in Shift Worship to your social media accounts. Shift Worship lets you play video files, so there’s no need to install a separate video player like VLC.

Shift Worship has a great media collection that receives weekly updates. They feature videos suitable for the current season, so you have fresh content to use instead of relying on old footage. It has mini-movies and church videos you can play during services, as well. Shift Worship also has video connectors you can use as transitions between slides to make your presentation more interesting.

• Check out Shift Worship on their website

Worship presentation software with a wide variety of Bible options

• Quelea is free software.

Quelea is a free and open-source worship presentation software. It lets you import songs and lyrics from multiple online sources, including OpenLP and OpenSong. It has a remote control app that lets you navigate your presentation using your mobile device.

Quelea gives you access to a comprehensive library of Bible editions/translations available in multiple languages. With access to multiple Bible translations, you can minister to church members whatever their native language is. Quelea uses cloud-based storage, so you can download a new Bible version anywhere you need it.

Quelea is a free worship presentation software.

• Check out Quelea on their website

Worship presentation software that works with Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD

• Free software

OpenLP is a worship presentation software for displaying songs, presentations, Bible verses, images, and texts. You can use it to import songs to your playlist from other presentation tools, ensuring you have the latest worship songs at your disposal. It works with other presentation tools like LibreOffice Impress and PowerPoint, so you can create presentations from other programs and project them using OpenLP.

Worship Leaders hold services in different venues and use different devices, which makes OpenLP an excellent choice because it works not just on Mac computers but on those that run on other operating systems. With its ability to work on any computer, worship leaders can ensure that they can use their presentations to make worship services livelier. This also means that church members and volunteers can help church leaders create presentations with whatever computer they have at home.

OpenLP is a free and open-source worship presentation software.

• Check out OpenLP on their website

Presentation Manager

Worship presentation software that supports multiple screen displays

• 30-day free trial

Presentation Manager is a feature-rich worship presentation software for creating and displaying worship projections. It has an easy-to-use layout mixer so you can customize images, songs, transitions, timers, and cues on presentations. You can use it to create sermon notes you can view on your screen to assist you during worship services.

If you hold church events with multiple groups, then Presentation Manager is the best presentation software because it lets you run different presentations on up to three projectors. Presentation Manager has a dual preview mode to see what your presentations look like before your service.

• Check out Presentation Manager on their website

• From $9.99 for a single user

KAMWISE lets you display yourself beside your presentation so your audience can view your presentation without taking their eyes off you.

• Check out KAMWISE on their website

Worship presentation software for creating and editing songs

• free software

Praisenter is a free church worship software package for creating presentations with Bible verses, songs, audio clips, images, and videos. You can use it to install Bible translations from the Unbound Bible to minister to church members who are not English speakers. It also has a Bible search feature to help you find verses quickly and integrate them into your presentation.

If you like using original songs during worship services, Praisenter lets you compose songs in the app. You can also use Praisenter to search for existing songs and edit them to make them better fit your needs.

Praisenter is a free church service worship package.

• Check out Praisenter on their website

ProPresenter

Worship presentation software with built-in multi-screen feature

• 14-day free trial
• You also have the option to rent the software for a one-time event for $99.

ProPresenter is a live production and presentation software for displaying lyrics, Bible verses, videos, slides, and images. It has a video engine that enables you to import, edit, and play videos. ProPresenter is a cross-platform software that works on Mac and Windows devices. It also has an edge-blending functionality enabling you to project onto a large display of multiple screens.

PropPresenter is the best worship presentation software if you need a multi-screen feature. You can use ProPresenter to have multiple screens with unique layouts. It also has a linked text box feature allowing you to display the same lyrics or texts while using different image backgrounds.

• Check out ProPresenter on their website

Worship Tools

Worship presentation software with a “music stand” app for singing along

• pricing starts at $15 per month for 5 GB of storage. All plans provide access to the three WorshipTools platforms.

Worship Tools is worship presentation software that works on Windows and Mac computers, making it ideal for churches that use different operating systems. This worship projection software comes with CCLI SongSelect, allowing worship leaders to import songs for playback during live streaming or in-person services. It comes with a cloud sync service to access presentations and multimedia files anywhere you need to conduct a service.

Worship Tools comes with an integrated music stand to ensure that church members can sing along during services. Worship leaders can overlay song lyrics on their presentation to ensure in-person attendees can read them. The music stand has a mobile app available to Android and iOS users so church members can follow along using their mobile devices.

• Check out Worship Tools on their website

Google Slides

Free presentation program for creating, formatting, and presenting using your web browser.

• Check out Google Slides on their website

The 10 Best Worship Presentation Software Summary

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Other Options

These aren’t worship software per se but they certainly can be used for church presentations and services.

Presentation software for creating and projecting slideshows.

Worship presentation software with built-in sermon builder

Comparison Criteria

What do I look for when I select the best worship presentation systems? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria: 

• User Interface (UI): Worship leaders need to care for many things during services, so I look for software with easy-to-find features.
• Usability: All church presentation software should be easy to use and master so church employees and volunteers can learn it quickly. 
• Integrations: Managing worship services involve using several tools, so I look for software that will work with the other tools I use. 
• Value for $: Churches have a limited source of funds, so I look for inexpensive software packed with many features. 

Worship Presentation Software Key Features

• Presentation editor : Allows users to create, edit, and format presentations without using a different tool. 
• Remote control app : Allows worship leaders to control the projector using their mobile phones remotely.
• Media library : A collection of media files to make presentations more interesting. 
• Bible integration : Allows worship leaders to display Bible verses in different languages. 
• Multi-screen : Enables users to display multiple presentations on different screens.

What do you think about this list?

Presentations make worship services more interesting and interactive. They can also help worship leaders make sermons easier to understand. 

With the help of worship presentation software, worship leaders can easily create fantastic presentations to spend more time attending to other responsibilities. If you are still counting on old-school technology to create and project presentations, now is the time to use the worship presentation software listed above. 

There are tons of other amazing tools to make managing your church easier, and you can find out about them by subscribing to The Lead Pastor .

Related Lists of Tools :

• Online Church Management Software
• Free Church Presentation Software

• Search Search

5 Things Every Church Presentation Needs to Do

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.

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.

Logos Staff

Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible.

Related articles

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7 Ways You Can Set Up New Worship Team Members for Success

These 3 Sweet Things You Can Do in Proclaim Shouldn’t Be a Secret

12 Ways to Fight Church Volunteer Burnout

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Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Parish news.

Find the latest happenings of our parish!

Our Parish News page contains much of the content of our printed weekly bulletin. However, as it is updated throughout the week, we may have news that didn't make it in time to be printed in the bulletin. 

Get updated information delivered to your email by subscribing to our newsletter!

Have a message and/or event that you want published?

• Get it approved by your Minister.
• Complete a Media Intake Form ( click here ).

Stay connected to all that's happening here. Download the most recent church bulletins containing, photos, stories, news and event information.

Messages From Our Ministers

Fr. mark's weekly reflection.

The Holy Family: The Perfect Family?

The Sunday after Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are the perfect model for families. In their home in Nazareth, it was literally “heaven on Earth” because their love and unity were a mirror of the love and unity of the Holy Trinity. In a mystical way, St. Joseph represents God the Father, Mary represents God the Holy Spirit, and of course, Jesus is God the Son! During the thirty years of Jesus’ “hidden life,” their living together must have been something wonderful. The love just kept growing and growing. St. Joseph became more and more holy because his work and everything he did was literally for God and for Our Lady! Mary’s Immaculate Heart burned with a flame of love greater than all the angels and saints combined as she “treasured all of these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). Jesus remained with them for thirty years because it was not necessary to leave the home or the village in order to begin his mission. His mission was love, and it began within the confines of that poor house and that modest town. Within this small space, the mind and the heart of God’s Incarnate Son were growing. His human heart and mind were developing and expanding until they began to embrace all of humanity: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52). Our High School Youth Group chose the name “Youth 252” because of this passage in the Gospel of Luke: chapter two, verse 52, which describes what was happening to Jesus when he was twelve years old. 

The Holy Family was perfectly holy, but that doesn’t mean that everything was perfectly easy and went perfectly smoothly. The Bible clearly shows that the family life of the Holy Family was filled with many dark, difficult, and disturbing days. Simeon foretold that the child would face opposition and that Mary’s heart would be pierced. They fled in fear when the innocents were slain in Bethlehem. They suffered deprivation during their exhausting exile in Egypt. They experienced deprivation and uncertainty when they settled in the poor, obscure village of Nazareth. They had no fame or distinction and lived the same life of hard labor as every family in that village. Scripture says that when Jesus was twelve, they lost him for three days. Tradition says that when Jesus was still young, Joseph died and that Joseph had been tormented by the foreknowledge that he would not be there with his wife on the day of their Son’s saving sacrifice. Joseph’s death left a sad, silent space in their home and in their workshop.

The Bible is clear that family life is a great blessing, but that it always has its struggles and its shadows. Love is a risk, but it is worth it. We should not let it bother us if our families are not perfect. It is the Divine Will that we live together with our families despite all the vagaries, uncertainties, and tragedies. Family life is not perfect, but it leads us to the only perfection that matters: that of the heart. That is why God came and spent thirty years in a family, and only three years on a public mission. 

For this Feast of the Holy Family today, we have a very long Gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40) which describes both the joys and the sorrows of family life. It is the joyful mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. When Mary and Joseph proudly present the baby Jesus to the temple priest, “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce.’” 

Then the Gospel story describes the life of a woman who had tried to find happiness in married life but only found the deep pain of being a widow and a life of prayer and sacrifice like that of a nun. The prophetess Anna “lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Here, we see again that marriage and family life are not always perfect. Many people marry but do not experience perfect happiness because of sickness, death, childlessness, sorrow, and separation. But we should not run away from family life. Today’s feast reminds us to strive to go back to our hometown and spend quality time with our family. We must return to the family as the place where the children can grow into strong adults, and where the adults can practice the virtues that make them grow in maturity and holiness. We must do what the Holy Family did after presenting Jesus in the temple: “They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

Gospel Meditation

Do we sometimes think that Jesus is given only to the highly qualified, special religious people? In the Gospel of Luke today we hear about the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The newborn son of God is passed around like a baton in a relay race, not guarded like a precious jewel or a breakable china dish. We can see him going from the arms of Mary to Joseph, then to the priest performing the ceremony, then to Simeon the old man, and then to Anna the old widow. Each one receives him and then hands him to the next. A tidal wave of joy and thanksgiving follows wherever he is placed. Believe me, you are qualified to hold Jesus in your arms. How can I say that with such confidence? Because the mother decides who is qualified. The Blessed Virgin, embodied in the Church, holds him out to you and me. She rejoices to place him in our arms to hold and to hand him on, too.

— Father John Muir

Mensajes de Nuestros Ministros

Reflexión semanal del p. mark.

La Sagrada Familia: ¿Una Vida Familiar Perfecta?

Este domingo después de la Navidad es la Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia. Jesús, María y José son el modelo perfecto para las familias. Su vida familiar en el hogar de Nazaret era lo que se dice “heaven on earth” (“un cielo en la Tierra”), porque su amor y su unidad eran como un espejo del amor y la unidad de la Santísima Trinidad. De manera mística, San José representa a Dios Padre, María representa a Dios Espíritu Santo y, por supuesto, ¡Jesús es Dios Hijo! Durante treinta años vivian completamente desconocidos por el mundo. Eran los anos escondidos (en ingles se dice “the hidden years”). Sin embargo, estos años en Nazaret eran maravillosos y sumamente importantes. Allí el amor creció y creció continuamente. San José se volvió cada vez más santo porque su trabajo y todo lo que hacía fue hecha para Dios y para Nuestra Señora. El Inmaculado Corazón de María “guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón” (Lucas 2:51), y su corazón ardía con una llama de amor mayor que todos los ángeles y santos combinados. Jesús permaneció con ellos durante treinta años porque no era necesario salir ni del hogar ni del pueblo para comenzar su misión. Su misión fue amor, y esta misión comenzó dentro de los confines de esa pobre casita pobre y de esa modesta aldea. Dentro de este pequeño espacio, iba creciendo la mente y el corazón del Hijo Encarnado de Dios. Su corazón humano era también divino, y su mente humano era también divino. Ese corazón y esa mente crecieron y se fueron desarrollando y expandiendo hasta que comenzaron a abrazar a toda la humanidad: “Jesús crecía en sabiduría y estatura, y en favor para con Dios y los hombres” (Lucas 2:52). En esta parroquia tenemos un Grupo Juvenil que se llama “Youth 252.” Los jóvenes escogieron este número porque es un pasaje de la Biblia. El numero “252” indica el capítulo dos, versículo 52, del evangelio de San Lucas. Este versículo describe lo que le sucedió a Jesús cuando tenía doce años de edad.

La Sagrada Familia era perfectamente sagrada, pero esto no significa que para ellos todo fuera perfectamente fácil y transcurriera perfectamente. La Biblia muestra claramente que la vida familiar de la Sagrada Familia estuvo llena de muchos días oscuros, difíciles e preocupantes. Simeón predijo que el niño tendría que enfrentar oposición y que el corazón de María sería traspasado por una espada de dolor. Tuvieron que huir atemorizados cuando asasinaron los santos inocentes en Belén. Padecieron privaciones y fueron agotados de cansancio durante su exilio en Egipto. Experimentaron incertidumbre cuando se establecieron en la pobre y oscura aldea de Nazaret. No gozaron ninguna fama o privilegio. Tenían que trabajar duro como cualquier familia de Nazaret. La escritura dice que cuando Jesús tenía doce años, lo perdieron por tres días. La tradición dice que cuando Jesús aún era joven, José murió, y que José había sido atormentado al saber que no iba a poder estar allí con su esposa cuando llegara el día de la Pasión de Jesús. La muerte de Joseph dejó un espacio triste y silencioso en su casa y en su taller. La Biblia dice claramente que la vida familiar es una gran bendición, pero que en la vida familiar hay también sombras de tristeza y dolor. El amor es un gran riesgo, pero vale la pena. Al amar, tomamos un gran riesgo, pero eso no debe desconcertar. No debemos preocuparnos al saber que nuestra vida familiar no es perfecta. Es la Voluntad Divina que vivamos juntos en familia, a pesar de todos los incertidumbres, caprichos, y tragedias. La vida familiar no es algo perfecta, pero nos lleva a la única perfección que vale: la del corazón. Por eso el Señor quiso pasar treinta años en su vida familiar, y solamente tres años en su misión pública.

Para esta Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia, tenemos una lectura muy larga del Evangelio (Lucas 2:22-40) que describe tanto las alegrías como las tristezas de la vida familiar. Se trata del misterio gozoso de la Presentación de Jesús en el Templo. Cuando María y José son gozosos cuando presentan al niño Jesús al sacerdote del templo, pero al instante se menciona los dolores del futuro: “Simeón lo tomó en brazos y bendijo a Dios… Simeón los bendijo, y a María, la madre de Jesús, le anunció: “Este niño ha sido puesto para ruina y resurgimiento de muchos en Israel, como signo que provocará contradicción, para que queden al descubierto los pensamientos de todos los corazones. Y a ti, una espada te atravesará el alma.”

Luego, el relato evangélico describe la vida de la profetisa Ana, una mujer que había intentado de encontrar la felicidad en la vida matrimonial, pero resultó viuda y pasó una vida de oración y sacrificio como una monja: “Era una mujer muy anciana. De joven, había vivido siete años casada y tenía ya ochenta y cuatro años de edad. No se apartaba del templo ni de día ni de noche, sirviendo a Dios con ayunos y oraciones. Ana se acercó en aquel momento, dando gracias a Dios y hablando del niño a todos los que aguardaban la liberación de Israel.” Nuevamente vemos claramente que el matrimonio y la vida familiar no siempre es ideal. Muchas personas se casan sin experimentar una perfecta felicidad debido a la enfermedad, la muerte, separación de hijos, etc. Sin embargo, no debemos huir de la vida familiar. Hoy celebramos la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia para recordarnos que tenemos que esforzarnos en la vida familiar. Si es posible, debemos volver a la patria y a la ciudad natal y a la familia de origen. Debemos pasar tiempo de calidad con nuestra familia. No debemos ser flojos para hacer el trabajo mas difícil que es trabajar la intimidad, exigir la comunicación y construir las relaciones interpersonales. Debemos defender y promover la vida familiar que es el único lugar apropiado para criar niños, y para vivir como adultos maduros. Es en familia que los niños pueden crecer y convertirse en adultos, y es en familia que los adultos pueden practicar virtudes y crecer en madurez y santidad. Todos tienen que hacer lo que hizo la Sagrada Familia después de presentar a Jesús en el templo: “Volvieron a Galilea, a su propia ciudad de Nazaret. El niño creció y se hizo fuerte, lleno de sabiduría; y el favor de Dios fue sobre él”.

Meditación Evangélico

“En cada familia hay problemas, y a veces también se discute. Padre me he peleado…; somos humanos, somos débiles, y todos tenemos a veces este hecho de que peleamos en la familia. Os diré una cosa: si nos peleamos en familia, que no termine el día sin hacer las paces. Si, he discutido, pero antes que termine el día, haz las paces. Y sabes ¿por qué? Porque la guerra fría del día siguiente es muy peligrosa. No ayuda. Y luego, en la familia hay tres palabras, tres palabras que hay que custodiar siempre: Permiso, gracias, perdón (Papa Francisco 12/27/2020). ¿Qué debo trabajar en mi familia para vivir en armonía? ©LPi

  Prayers

Prayer for the sick.

Many people are suffering from ailments of some form or another. Please join us as we pray for the sick, their families, and caregivers. ​

Agustin Velasco 

Annabelle Dizon

Armando Fernandez 

Barbara Gini

Carlos Felipe Ruiz

Carlos Rodriguez

Carmen Parrish

Celine Hoban

Connie Heim

Connie Tracy

Dan Lucchesi

David Rodahaffer

Debbie Brockney

Deborah Balisteri

Edith Contreras Ochoa

Elsa Valdez

Elvin Tyler

Gail Galela

Galdina Guzmán

George Reyes

Gloria Fernandez 

Gloria Rangel Ortiz

Graciela Alegria Vargas

Guadalupe Deleon 

Janet Kavanaugh

Jeanette Toloy

Kenneth McKellar

Lillian Martinez

María Guadalupe Barajas

Maria Ochoa

Matt Johnston

Mayra A. Castillo

Mildred Quitoriano

Paulette Vetter

Roger Roman

Sheila Bacus

Shirley Benecke

Susan Klass

Tammie Parrino

Terri Lomeli

Tomas Larios Ortiz

William Andujo

​To add or remove names, please contact the Communications Coordinator at entationchurch.net" label="" type="email" href="mailto:[email protected]" data-runtime-url="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected] .

To see additional 'Prayers for the Sick', please click here . 

Mass Intentions

Every Mass is a wonderful gift of God to us. We consciously recall the love of God poured out for us in the life, death and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2023

7:00 AM: †Eucharistic Buhagiar

8:45 AM: Maria Teresa Macias—birthday

10:30 AM: Jeanette Toloy

12:15 PM: Carlos Felipe Ruiz—healing

2:15 PM: William E. Dewhirst—birthday

5:00 PM: †Alejandro Ruiz

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2024

7:00 AM: Parish Families

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024

7:00 AM: Tinaza Family—thanksgiving

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

7:00 AM: Patrick Gomez Lugo

12:15 PM: †Souls in Purgatory

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

7:00 AM: †Peter Chu

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

7:00 AM: Jeannavive Velasco

12:15 PM: Lisa Vaz quez

7:00 PM: †Maria de Jesus Contreras

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

8:00 AM: †Lisette Buhagiar

5:00 PM: †Marie Yaghi

In Remembrance Of

In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

Shirley Spadafore

MaryLou Knisley

Alejandro Ramirez

Carmel Breakfield

Beverly Limbaugh

Marlene Neri

Marietta Quizana

Andrea Weesner

Olga Mendoza

Thelma Adams

Pushpamma Manda

Thelma Perdue

Ruth Segarini

Jose Salud Garcia Jasso

Norma Jean Luder

James R Fenelon

Vernon Franzi 

Henrietta Melinda Gietzen

Donna Mae Monaco

Estela Cortes

Salvador De Leon Samson

Marina Cueva

Nasser Y. Saleh

Myrna Garces

Fr. Joe Maghinay

Lolita Hilario

Benjamin Morelos

Nancy Bertilacchi

JoAnn Campigli

Romulo Gonzales

Antonio D. Alamo, Sr.

Chris Brothers

Prayer of the Faithful

We pray that, God will provide us the strength to forgive those that have hurt us. 

Oramos para que Dios nos provea de fortaleza para perdonar a aquellos que nos han hecho daño. 

Spiritual Communion

Even if one cannot sacramentally receive the Eucharist, everyone should be aware of the practice of making a spiritual communion. The following is a daily prayer for Spiritual Communion:

O my Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.

I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there and

unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

-St. Alphonsus Liguori

For more resources on Spiritual Communion, click here .

Grow Your Faith

Readings for the week.

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

To view full readings, click here .

Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/

Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40                                                                                              

Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21                                                                                                                                                                 

1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28                                                                 

1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Jn 1:29-34                                                                                                                                                        

1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42          

1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51                                                                                                                                                                 

1 Jn 5:5-13/Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38                                                                                                                                                                

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2024

Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 

Stewardship Reflections

Feast of the Holy Family

“…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” - Colossians 3:13

Forgiving is one of the hardest things for people to do. We can’t give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness first before we can give it to others. Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation and receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then, share the gift of forgiveness with someone – a family member, a friend, or a co-worker. Pick up the phone or text someone right now. 

Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia

“...Como el Señor los ha perdonado, así deben ustedes perdonar.” - Colosenses 3-13

Perdonar es una de las cosas difíciles para las personas. No podemos dar lo que no tenemos. Necesitamos recibir la misericordia y el perdón de Dios antes de darlos a otras personas. Acérquese al sacramento de la Reconciliación y reciba la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. Entonces, comparta el don del perdón con alguien - un miembro de la familia, un amigo o un compañero de trabajo. Tome su teléfono y llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a alguien, justo en este momento. 

Children's Prayer

Sharing the Gospel

Mary and Joseph went to the temple and presented the baby Jesus to God. Two older people recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. They gave him special blessings. They thanked God for this child. Just like Mary and Joseph, your parents gave thanks to God when you were born. They were very happy God gave you to them. They had you baptized in church, and presented you as a gift to God, too.

Lord, thank you for bringing the baby Jesus into my life.

Something to Draw

Draw Mary and Joseph carrying the baby Jesus to the altar in the temple.

Mission for the Week

I will offer everything I do for you, Lord, Jesus Christ.

© 2008 LPi • PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817 • 1-800-950-9952 x2469 • LPiResourceCenter.com 

Saint of the Week

V. MOTHER MARY ELIZABETH LANGE | 1783-1882   

Michelle Elizabeth Clarisse Lange’s early life is not well documented. She was born between 1783 and 1794, some sources claim her birthplace as San Domingo, Hispaniola, and others suggest Santiago de Cuba. Eventually, Lange immigrated to the United States as a free person and ended up in Baltimore, Maryland in 1813. In Baltimore at the time, free people of color outnumbered those who were enslaved and there was an established community of other French-speaking, Catholic, Afro-Caribbean refugees from the Haitian Revolution. 

To continue reading, click here . 

VENERABLE MADRE MARÍA ISABEL LANGE | 1783-1882

Los primeros años de vida de Isabel Clarisa Lange no están bien documentados. Nació entre 1783 y 1794, algunas fuentes afirman que su lugar de nacimiento es San Domingo, Hispaniola, otras sugieren Santiago de Cuba. Eventualmente, Lange emigró a los Estados Unidos como una persona libre y terminó en Baltimore, Maryland en 1813. En Baltimore en ese momento, las personas de color libres superaban en número a las que estaban esclavizadas y había una comunidad establecida de otros católicos de habla francesa, refugiados afrocaribeños de la revolución haitiana.

Para leer el Santo de la Semana en español, haga clic aquí .

The Holy Family

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10 Church Welcome Speeches You Can Use To Start Strong

Lights, camera, action! 💡🎥🎬

The stage is set, the crowd is buzzing and the worship team is ready to unleash their heavenly melodies. It’s showtime, baby!

But you need more than just a run-of-the-mill church welcome speech and you can’t just make it up on the spot…

No, no, no! You need a great church welcome speech that’s going to welcome first-time visitors and set the right expectations.

Well, look no further because you’ve stumbled upon a goldmine of 10 dynamic church welcome speeches guaranteed to kickstart your service with a bang 💥

So let’s make your next service a service to remember , where hearts are touched, souls are stirred and lives are forever changed.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is A Church Welcome Speech?

5 key elements of a church welcome speech, 10 church welcome speeches you can use, 4 great church welcome speech examples.

A church welcome speech is a brief address delivered at the beginning of a church service, usually by a church MC or worship leader..

More than a mere greeting, a church welcome speech is an opportunity to connect with both new and old faces, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, give valuable information and set the stage for a great worship experience.

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Whether your church is big or small, black or white, Baptist or Pentecostal, in the US or the Philippines, a great church welcome speech has 5 key elements.

Let’s walk through each one 👇

1. A Simple Introduction

The key here is to keep it short and sweet, yet warm and friendly.

As they say: less is more.

Especially when it comes to opening your church service. Say what needs to be said and move on.

A good church welcome officially starts the service and gets everyone focused, so give a quick introduction of yourself and the church.

This can be as simple as “Good morning and welcome to Grace Church. I’m Abi and it’s great to see you all here.”

2. Set Expectations

When done right, the person opening the service can help raise the faith level of your church right before entering into worship.

Help set the tone by giving everyone a general idea of what’s going to happen. You don’t need to give a minute-by-minute breakdown of the service, just a quick overview is good enough.

This is a good place to mention your current sermon series  or special guest speaker if you have one.

3. Give Useful Information

Give everyone the practical information they need to relax and feel comfortable.

Gently remind people to put phones on silent, tell them they’ll be coffee afterwards and point out where the Kid’s Church and bathrooms are.

4. Welcome Visitors

It’s good to take a moment to specifically welcome first-time guests and let them know you’re glad they’re here.

Launching your service this way is not only a great way to make church visitors feel at home :

It also helps outward-focused culture and sends a clear message to members that this is a safe place they can invite their family and friends to.

If your church has visitor connect cards (so you can do follow-up later) ask them to fill them out and drop them in the offering basket as it passes by.

5. End With What’s Next

Now you’ve officially opened up the meeting, it’s time to transition into the next part of the service.

If you’re going into worship, have everyone stand. Lead everyone in a faith-filled prayer welcoming the Holy Spirit to move in hearts and minds.

If it’s the sermon next, thank God for His Word, pray that their hearts and minds be ready to receive what God has to say to his people, then have everyone clap their hands to welcome the preacher.

I’m going to share with you 10 church welcome speech outlines you can use at your next Sunday morning service or church event.

Use these to inspire you and spark new ideas and feel free to adapt them to your local church setting to make them your own.

Church Welcome Speech #1

Good morning and welcome to [CHURCH NAME]. My name’s [YOUR NAME] and if you’re visiting us for the first time here, thank you for coming! It’s great to have you with us.

You’ll find a connect card in [LOCATION], it would be great if you could fill that out – we’d love to get to know you better.

In the next [NUMBER OF MINUTES] we’re going to enjoy a time of worship before [PREACHER NAME] talks to us about [SERMON TOPIC]. It’s going to be good!

Please remember [to collect your children from/turn your phones on silent or any other useful info here].

Please join with me in prayer. [PRAYER].  As the worship team starts playing, let us stand together in singing [SONG TITLE].

Church Welcome Speech #2

Hi! I’m [YOUR NAME] and a very warm welcome to you. It’s so good to see so many smiling faces this morning!

If this is your first time at [CHURCH NAME] I want to extend a special warm welcome to you, it’s great to have you with us.

Please take a moment and fill out the connect card that can be found [LOCATION]. That’ll really help us get to know you a little bit better and know how we can serve or pray for you.

This week we start a brand 4-week series called [SERMON SERIES NAME] where we’re going to be talking about [TOPIC]. I know that God is going to speak to us, amen?

Before I go, let me just remind you that [USEFUL INFO HERE].

That being said, let’s get ready to [NEXT STEP HERE].

OK, let’s pray together. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #3

Good morning! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME], the place where miracles happen and lives are changed. My name is [YOUR NAME] and whether you’re a longtime member or a first-time visitor, we’re excited to have you with us.

At [CHURCH NAME], we believe that each person who walks through these doors is here for a divine purpose and today, we have a powerful service planned just for you.

We’re gonna dive into worship and lift our voices and hearts in praise to our amazing God. We’ll also have a thought-provoking message that will challenge and inspire you to grow in your faith.

For our first-time visitors, we have a special gift prepared just for you. Be sure to stop by our welcome table after the service to receive your gift and connect with our friendly team members.

Before we proceed, let’s take a moment to greet those around us and extend a warm welcome to everyone in our church family. Go ahead and share a smile, a handshake or even a high-five.

Now let’s prepare our hearts and minds as we enter into a time of worship together and let’s get ready to encounter God in a powerful way.

Church Welcome Speech #4

Before we kick off the service we’d just like to take a moment to welcome everybody to [CHURCH NAME].

We’re thrilled to have you with us today as we worship and seek God’s face and get wisdom from God’s Word.

Before we do that though, just a few important announcements:

This Friday, we have a special prayer night where we will intercede for the needs of our church and community. We invite you to join us. here at [CHURCH NAME] we believe in the power of prayer!

We also have Connect Groups available for all ages where you connect with God and each other.

If you’re interested in joining a connect group or volunteering in one of our service teams, please visit the Connect Corner after the service.

Other than that, all that’s left for me to say is let’s lean in today. Let’s lean with expectant hearts ready to receive what God has for us.

Let’s stand and pray together [PRAYER].

Church Welcome Speech #5

Hello, hello, hello! Is everyone ready to have an amazing time in the presence of God today? I know I am!

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I have the privilege of serving as [YOUR ROLE] here at [CHURCH NAME]. I want to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you and we ‘re excited to have you here today .

Whether you’re a familiar face or a first-time visitor, [CHURCH NAME] is a place where we come together as a family to celebrate, grow, and encounter the life-transforming power of God.

Today, we have an incredible service planned just for you. Get ready to experience passionate worship and hear a message that I know will speak directly to your heart.

So, once again, welcome to [CHURCH NAME]. Open your hearts, open your minds and expect God to move in a powerful way today.

Now let’s enter into worship together, knowing that we serve a great big God who is faithful and who desires to meet us right where we are.

Let’s pray. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #6

Good morning everyone and welcome to [CHURCH NAME], a place where normal people encounter an extraordinary God.

Today, we invite you to join us in a worship experience that will stir your soul and draw you closer to God’s presence.

After the service, we encourage you to visit our Connect Corner, where you can learn more about our various connect groups, ministries and service opportunities.

We believe that each person has a unique role to play in building God’s kingdom, and we’d love to help you find your place of service and connection within our church family.

Let’s pray as we have a time of worship and hear God’s Word together. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #7

Well, well, well! Look who decided to grace us with their presence today. It’s none other than the incredible congregation of [CHURCH NAME]!

Give yourselves a round of applause for making it here on this beautiful day.

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m thrilled you could join us for Sunday service.

Before we kick things off, why don’t you spread some joyful vibes and warm welcomes by high-fiving, fist-bumping or jazz-handing the person next to you.

Today is going to be good!

After worship, we’re going to hear a special message from Pastor [NAME] that I know is going to stretch our faith and help us to believe God for more.

So remember to put your phone on silent and of course, feel free to join us for coffee and treats after the service in the [LOCATION]. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet and connect.

And to our first-time visitors, welcome! Grab a welcome pack after the service—it’s filled with goodies and surprises just for you.

Right now we’re going to enter into a time of worship so feel free to stand, sit or dance in the aisles. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, Amen?

So let’s make a joyful noise!

Church Welcome Speech #8

Hello and a massive welcome to [CHURCH NAME] on this beautiful [CHRISTMAS/EASTER] morning!

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am so excited to be worshipping with you today. If you’re a visitor with us, thank you so much for coming and celebrating [CHRISTMAS/EASTER] with us.

For those with us for the first time, I’d love it if you could fill out the connect card that’s [LOCATION] and kindly drop it on the offering plate as it comes by. Thank you, this will just help us get to know you better.

I know we’ve got a lot coming up for you today. We’re going to kick things off here with a time of worship before we hear a special [CHRISTMAS/EASTER} message from [PREACHER NAME]. After that [INCLUDE ANY OTHER SPECIAL ELEMENTS].

Please note that [USEFUL INFO HERE].

Right, are we ready? Let’s pray. [PRAYER] [NEXT STEP]

Church Welcome Speech #9

Good morning, friends! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME] and I’m thrilled to be here with you today as we start this incredible worship experience.

Let’s just take a moment to connect with one another. Find someone nearby, give them a warm smile, and let them know how glad you are to see them.

Now, get ready for a time of worship in the presence of God. Then, after worship, we will have a powerful message which will challenge and inspire us in our faith.

If you’re new here, we’re delighted to have you join us. We have visitor connect cards available, where you can share your contact information and any prayer requests you may have.

Feel free to fill out the cards and drop them in the designated box. We would love to connect with you and support you in any way we can.

For families with children aged 3 to 12, we have an exciting Kids Church program available.

And after the service, we invite everyone to join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments in the [LOCATION]. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people.

To our first-time visitors, we extend a special welcome. We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to worship with us today.

Please feel free to approach our friendly volunteers at the welcome desk, who will be more than happy to assist you, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with a small gift as a token of our appreciation.

Now, let’s enter into a time of worship. Let’s lift our voices, open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to fill this place.

Church Welcome Speech #10

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME]! It’s wonderful to see so many beautiful faces here this morning!

Now, if you’re joining us for the first time today, we want to extend a special welcome to you. Would you please stand?

Let’s give them a warm round of applause, everyone! It’s great to have you!

Our ushers will be coming around with a special welcome pack designed just for you. It contains helpful information about our church, upcoming events, and ways to get connected.

We want you to feel at home and supported as you explore what our church has to offer. Don’t hesitate to ask our ushers any questions you may have or let them know how we can serve you better.

Before we dive into a time of worship and listen to a great word from Pastor [NAME] I have just a couple of announcements.

Firstly, I want to invite you all to join us this coming Friday for our special prayer night. It’s a powerful time of seeking God’s presence and interceding for our church, community, and the world. Mark your calendars and be part of this transformative experience.

Also, if you’re not already part of a connect group, we have an incredible network of connect groups across the city that meet every Wednesday where you can grow in your relationship with God and one another.

We have a Connect Table at the back where you can find out more so be sure to visit after the service.

Once again, thank you to each and every one of you for being with us and we know where 2 or more are gathered in His name, He is here with us, amen?

Let’s stand together and pray as we enter into worship. [PRAYER]

I wanted to end things here with some real-life examples and give you my thoughts on what I think works well. 

It’s good to keep your speeches becoming predictable by mixing them up a little.

Here are 4 different styles and approaches you could take in your church:

1. The Comedic Approach

What a clever and funny way to open the service! Almost rapping, he does a great job of welcoming visitors, having them stand while the church applauds.

I also like how he sets expectations, saying “Today is Youth Sunday” .

2. The Evangelistic Approach

This wonderful woman has a really warm but powerful way of welcoming people to the church.

She starts off by getting people ready to worship and hear the Word. This can be a powerful way to set the tone for the rest of the service.

She introduces the church pastors and even points them out individually. This might work well depending on your style of church.

I was surprised to hear her nearly do an alter call saying “Don’t leave here today without knowing Jesus.”

She’s passionate and friendly, everything you want in someone giving the welcome at your church.

3. The Helpful Approach

This welcome takes less than a minute but works really well and is a great example of how we can make our church services more welcoming for guests.

He leads by introducing himself saying he’s part of the hospitality team and makes himself available if he can help them in any way, right before asking first-time visitors to stand up and thank them for coming.

4. The Faith-Fuelled Approach

This next one is short and sweet, but it’s a masterclass on how to use your church welcome speech to raise the faith level through the roof!

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Over To You

There you go – you now have 10 church welcome speeches to choose from for next Sunday!

If you really want to mix it up then take a look at these 36 church welcome poems .

And if you found this post useful, be sure to check out our step-by-step guides:

• How To Make Church Visitors Feel Welcome
• How To Make A Church Welcome Pack
• 5 Common-Sense Church Greeting Tips
• 10 Ways To Get More First-Time People Into Your Church
• How To Be A Church MC: Tips & Scripts For Seamless Services

Now it’s time to hand it over to you:

What do you say in your church welcome speech?

And do you have any tips for giving a better welcome speech at the start of the service?

Let us know in the comments below! 🙏

17 thoughts on “10 Church Welcome Speeches You Can Use To Start Strong”

Very helpful, thanks for sharing

These guide lines are very good and they are very brief

God bless you

Thanks you for that Spiritual Food,God Bless you Always.

Right back at ya Lynn! You got this! 🙂

These guidelines are super. God richly bless you.. I

This was very helpful

thank you so much it is very helpful

very helpful and we’ll articulated

You made a good point that having a strong welcome speech that has emphasis on evangelization can help a lot in making the people ready for worship. I’m planning to get church worship services for my neighborhood association that will be celebrating its foundation day on December. If the quarantine has been lifted by then, I think having a thanksgiving Mass would be ideal for that gathering.

Very helpful, glad I found your site.

Thanks so much for this write up. I found it when looking for welcome Speech. It’s very detailed. Thanks

Great examples/ very usecul

I feel so bless coming across your site. I was assigned to do a welcome remark and I was about to refuse but thought of like saying “no” to Jesus. I prayed for guidance and Holy Spirit led me to it. Thank you for the wonderful ideas. Bless you Bishop!

I’m the one welcoming new members to church next Sunday… God bless you for this.. I really need it

Bishop T. Randolph January 4, 2019 I love it!!! This is what I was used to growing up; This has been forsaken in many churches, even in my own. I shall re-enter this in our church services. To God be the glory and I thank God for you and His leading me to your site! We pray you be forever blessed in your purpose for God,The Father!

This is awesome God bless you

Bless you too, I’m glad you found these welcome speeches helpful!

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Our Family Faith Program is for families registered in our parish with children in grades 1 to 8. Our program is designed to be a learning experience for both children and their parents (and sometimes grandparents)!  We recognize the calling and responsibility of parents as primary educators and role models to their children. The FFF program is here to assist parents in passing on our faith to their children. Every family is a mini-church – a domestic church. And as a parish and the Church, we are a family of families. The Catechism states that “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “ the domestic church ,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.”

The  Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of  evangelizing their children.  Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the “first heralds” for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church.  34 A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one’s life.” (2225)

It also states that “education in the faith by parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.” (CCC 2226) We are here to partner with and support parents in this very important role!

We are proud to share that Our Family Faith program has been awarded the prestigious New Wineskins Award in 2017 by the National Conference Catechetical Leadership. The award is a “recognition of parishes and Diocesan offices for their creative ways (something new, effective, and engaging) to address formation, the changes in family realities, sacramental preparation…” (nccl.org) 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to communicate the treasures of faith to our young friends (grades 1 to 6) and to their parents. Using the Emmaus model, we walk with our families on a journey towards encountering Jesus in breaking open the Word ( online lessons ), breaking bread with the whole parish ( Family Mass ), sharing the Good News with others in the spirit of fellowship ( Build community ), and bringing the faith to others through acts of mission and service ( Act out ). Through Family Faith Formation, we aim to engage our kids and their families to be active learners and evangelizers of our faith.

How do we achieve this mission?

1. Use of children’s language

We created an interactive website available 24/7 to the whole family. It is protected with a username and password. It contains our e-catechesis (online lessons) and other learning tools in the program. Each year highlights a particular theme (Year of the Fish; Year of the Light; Year of the Spirit) that holds FFF’s core lessons. The yearly theme is broken down into four fun chapters spread over weekly lessons and activities. At the end of each chapter, the children complete the exercises in the G.Y.M. (Godly Young Muscles) which is our digital tool to assess what the children have learned.

2. Kids as the prime movers of FFF

The Family Mass is a beautiful and lively liturgy for kids and young families every Sunday at 10am. The children become the ‘movers and the shakers’ of the liturgy (second only to the Holy Spirit, or course!). They serve as the lectors, greeters, ushers and as the choir, and families offer the gifts together.

On our website you will hear our children’s voices in the Bible reader. Children can listen to their peers proclaim the Gospel. Our 7th and 8th graders have their own website with lessons that are age appropriate for them. Their lessons focus on encountering Jesus through the lens of each of the 4 Gospel writers (Year A), and examining basic themes of our faith (How do I know God exists?, Jesus Christ – Who is He?, Conversations with God, and Noise vs. Silence).  

The Act-Out (Activities) for grades 1-6 is a resource for practical easy-to-do on how to make our faith alive and active. It contains activities for Family, such as making an Advent wreath, practicing forgiveness; or activities for community such as almsgiving, supplying needs for our Soup Kitchen, giving to Operation Rice Bowl, and more.

3. Encountering God in community

The  General Directory for Catechesis  states that the process of continuing conversion goes beyond what is provided by basic catechesis. In order to encourage this process, it is necessary to have a Christian community which welcomes the children and their family and one that sustains them and forms them in the faith. Families come to the parish once-a-month for our monthly gathering from September to May. Each month is either a scriptural play or a break-out session.

• The Scriptural Plays make the Bible stories and Christian themes come to life. These live performances are run by our own children performers or adult parishioners as well as our own local production crew. Parents and kids are active collaborators– either onstage, backstage as well as in their viewing seats. During this communal affair, the participants are intended to experience the Catholic Christian teachings and lessons embedded in the scenes.
• Break-Out sessions are by grade level (parents have their own session on these months) or are a break-out in which families stay together. This is where we unpack the thematic lessons of each chapter. It is also a time to interact with other families in the program.
• Other fun-filled seasonal events.

Our volunteers consist of Moms, Dads, teens as well as committed parishioners. They help run our FFF events as catechists, performers, stagehands, photographers, etc.

In our website, the virtual community comes alive through ‘Postings’ within the lesson. ‘Postings’ is a textual messaging avenue for kids where they post their learnings, insights, or comments and learn from each other.

The goal of the program is personal transformation. Transformation happens ‘along the way’. It is not only meant to awaken the faith of the children, it is also meant to enliven the faith of their parents as well. Very often the most effective, greatest evangelizers to parents are their own children! Oftentimes, the kids are able to rekindle the parents’ waning spiritual fervor as well as keep the families on the road of faith. This is Emmaus relived!

The FFF program focus on children and they way they learn abides by Jesus’ own example when He 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)

Copyright © 2024 Church of the Presentation. All rights reserved.

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Wednesday May 15, 7:30-9:00 pm, on Zoom

On behalf of Bending the Moral Arc Courageous Conversations (BMA CC), Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church’s Christian Education Committee, and Nassau Presbyterian Church, we are thrilled to invite you to our virtual meeting  on May 15th at 7:30 pm  honoring the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. This BMA CC meeting will feature Princeton graduate, Gordon Smith. Gordon will tell the inspirational story of how his father, Captain Luther H. Smith of the fabled “Tuskegee Airmen,” fought racism in our country’s armed forces, and served heroically as one of the “Red Tail” fighter pilots in the skies above Germany in World War II. We hope to see you there!!

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Kentucky Derby 2024 highlights: Mystik Dan edges Sierra Leone to win Triple Crown's first leg

The 2024 Kentucky Derby was one for the history books as the 150th Run for the Roses came down to a photo finish at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

The first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown was won by Mystik Dan , who edged Sierra Leone by less than a nose at the finish line. Sierra Leone, along with Fierceness, was one of the field's favorites among the 20-horse field .

The most exciting two minutes in sports wound up taking several more after officials had to gather to determine who crossed first between Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone, with third-place finisher Forever Young just another step behind. Forever Young  came excruciatingly close to giving Japan its first Kentucky Derby win.

USA TODAY Sports provided analysis and highlights from Churchill Downs:

Mystik Dan won by a whisker. The key? One great ride.

Saturday, in the 150th Kentucky Derby, 38-year-old journeyman Brian Hernandez delivered one of the great human performances in the history of the race.

And the horse he rode wasn’t too bad, either.

With a rail-skimming ride that was practically perfect in its boldness and timing, Hernandez got 18-1 shot Mystik Dan home by a whisker over the surging Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a three-horse photo finish that left the Churchill Downs crowd of 156,710 initially wondering who had won America’s most famous horse race.

“(Hernandez) was the difference in winning and losing today, for sure,” trainer Kenny McPeek said.

Read Dan Wolken's full column here.

Texas man wins nearly $60,000 on Mystik Dan

Dave Oblisk walked away from Churchill Downs with nearly $60,000 after placing 12 bets on Mystik Dan, the winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby.

After the photo finish between Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone and Forever Young, Oblisk was shaking, his family members said.

"I'm still shaking!" Oblisk, a resident of Austin, Texas, told the Courier Journal , part of the USA TODAY Network.

2024 Kentucky Derby official results

• 1. Mystik Dan
• 2. Sierra Leone
• 3. Forever Young
• 4. Catching Freedom
• 5. T O Password
• 6. Resilience
• 7. Stronghold
• 8. Honor Marie
• 9. Endlessly
• 10. Dornach
• 11. Track Phantom
• 12. West Saratoga
• 13. Domestic Product
• 14. Epic Ride
• 15. Fierceness
• 16. Society Man
• 17. Just Steel
• 18. Grand Mo The First
• 19. Catalytic
• 20. Just A Touch

What is Triple Crown in horse racing? 

The Triple Crown refers to the three major races in American Thoroughbred horse racing. It consists of the  Kentucky Derby , Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. A horse that finishes first in all three races in the same year is said to have won the Triple Crown. 

When is the 2024 Preakness Stakes? 

The Preakness will be staged Saturday, May 18 from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET, with the post time expected to be around 6:50 p.m. National Treasure was last year’s winner of the Preakness. 

2024 Kentucky Derby payouts

(Winnings based on a $2 bet unless otherwise noted)

• 1. Mystik Dan: $39.22 to win; $16.32 to place; $10 for show
• 2. Sierra Leone: $6.54 to place; $4.64 for show
• 3. Forever Young: $5.58 for show

2024 Kentucky Derby top three

• 1st place: Mystik Dan (trainer: Kenny McPeek)
• 2nd place: Sierra Leone (trainer: Chad Brown)
• 3rd place: Forever Young (trainer: Yoshito Yahagi)

Watch: Kentucky Derby photo finish

Trainer kenny mcpeek wins kentucky derby after winning kentucky oaks.

Trainer Kenny McPeek had the winning horse in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and then Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. No trainer has accomplished the feat since Ben Jones in 1952.

"Just brilliant jockey and ride," McPeek said on the NBC broadcast immediately after the race. "The draw helped us from the beginning; we talked about that. I was shocked Dornach broke bad.

"But (jockey) Brian (Hernandez Jr.) is amazing, probably one of the most underrated riders in racing. Not anymore."

Hernandez won the Oaks on Thorpedo Anna on Friday at Churchill Downs before guiding Mystik Dan to the photo-finish win.

"That was the longest few minutes I’ve ever felt in my life," he said on NBC immediately after the race. "It was exciting when we hit the line, but I wasn’t sure if we won, it was quite a rush to sit there and wait for it."

Kentucky Derby winners since 2000 

Here are the Kentucky Derby winners over the years, with the winning horse and the winning time in parentheses. Eventual Triple Crown winners are in bold. 

2024 -- Mystik Dan

2023 – Mage (2:01.57) 

2022 – Rich Strike (2:02.61) 

2021 – Mandaloun (2:01.36) 

2020 – Authentic (2:00.61) 

2019 – Country House (2:03.93) 

2018  –  Justify (2:04:20)  

2017 – Always Dreaming (2:03.59) 

2016 – Nyquist (2:01.31) 

2015  –  American Pharoah (2:03.02)  

2014 – California Chrome (2:03.66) 

2013 – Orb (2:02.89) 

2012 – I'll Have Another (2:01.83) 

2011 – Animal Kingdom (2:02.04) 

2010 – Super Saver (2:04.45) 

2009 – Mine That Bird (2:02.66) 

2008 – Big Brown (2:01.82) 

2007 – Street Sense (2:02.17) 

2006 – Barbaro (2:01.36) 

2005 – Giacomo (2:02.75) 

2004 – Smarty Jones   (2:04.06) 

2003 – Funny Cide (2:01.19) 

2002 – War Emblem (2:01.13) 

2001 – Monarchos (1:59.97) 

2000 – Fusaichi Pegasus (2:01.00) 

Mystik Dan wins 2024 Kentucky Derby 

... and it’s Mystik Dan, at 18-1 odds, who crosses the finish line barely ahead of Sierra Leone to win the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. 

Kentucky Derby starts

And they're off ...

Kentucky Derby start time 

Post time for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4. 

Why was Encino scratched from Kentucky Derby? 

Lexington Stakes winner Encino  was scratched from  Saturday’s Kentucky Derby due to a soft tissue strain in his right leg, according to trainer Brad Cox. 

Cox said the colt didn’t look right after training on Tuesday and was taken to a hospital in Lexington where X-rays revealed the diagnosis. 

With Encino out of the race,  Epic Ride  will draw in from the also-eligible list and take the No. 20 spot in the starting gate. — Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier Journal  

Churchill Downs capacity 

When it's race day, Churchill Downs is one of the most packed venues in sports. The venue hosts around 165,000 people for the Kentucky Derby, a majority of which are in the grandstands of the race track. 

Latest Kentucky Derby odds

Odds as of 6:39 p.m. ET

• Fierceness, 3-1
• Sierra Leone, 9/2
• Forever Young, 6-1
• Catching Freedom, 8-1
• Just a Touch, 11-1
• Honor Marie, 14-1
• Mystik Dan, 18-1
• Just Steel, 21-1
• Dornoch, 22-1
• West Saratoga, 22-1
• Domestic Product, 28-1
• Resilience, 31-1
• Catalytic, 34-1
• Stronghold, 35-1
• Track Phantom, 40-1
• Epic Ride, 46-1
• T O Password, 47-1
• Endlessly, 47-1
• Society Man, 47-1
• Grand Mo The First, 48-1

Kentucky Derby TV coverage 

The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. 

Kentucky Derby live stream 

For cord-cutters, the Kentucky Derby can be streamed on Peacock and Fubo .

Kentucky Derby field, odds 

Post positions were drawn Saturday  for the race. Here's where each horse will start , in addition to the horse's trainer, jockey and odds, according to BetMGM . 

Here's where each horse landed, in addition to the horse's trainer, jockey and odds: 

• 1.  Dornoch , Danny Gargan, Luis Saez, 20-1 
• 2.  Sierra Leone , Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione, 3-1 
• 3.  Mystik Dan , Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr., 20-1 
• 4.  Catching Freedom , Brad Cox, Flavien Prat, 8-1 
• 5.  Catalytic , Saffie Joseph Jr., José Ortiz, 30-1 
• 6.  Just Steel , D. Wayne Lukas, Keith Asmussen, 20-1 
• 7.  Honor Marie , Whit Beckman, Ben Curtis, 20-1 
• 8.  Just a Touch , Brad Cox, Florent Geroux, 10-1 
• 9.  T O Password , Daisuke Takayanagi, Kazushi Kimura, 30-1 
• 10.  Forever Young , Yoshito Yahagi, Ryusei Sakai, 10-1 
• 11.  Track Phantom , Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario, 20-1 
• 12.  West Saratoga , Larry Demeritte, Jesús Castañón, 50-1 
• 13.  Endlessly , Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli, 30-1 
• 14.  Domestic Product , Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr., 30-1 
• 15.  Grand Mo the First , Victor Barboza Jr., Emisael Jaramillo, 50-1 
• 16.  Fierceness , Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 5-2 
• 17.  Stronghold , Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu, 20-1 
• 18.  Resilience , Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 20-1 
• 19.  Society Man , Danny Gargan, Frankie Dettori, 50-1 
• 20.  Epic Ride , John Ennis, Adam Beschizza, 30-1 

Epic Ride replaces  Encino , which was  officially scratched Tuesday .  Mugatu  is also eligible if another competitor scratches.

Kentucky Derby: On the ground at Churchill Downs

Our friends at the Louisville Courier Journal have on the ground updates from historic Churchill Downs .

Kentucky Derby attendance

There were a reported 156,710 people at Churchill Downs Saturday for the 150th Kentucky Derby.

Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce in attendance 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is at Churchill Downs and we heard straight from the horse’s mouth. The official X page for the Kentucky Derby shared a photo of Rodgers blending in with a crowd of patrons. 

Earlier in the day, Rodgers said he’s interested in becoming an owner. When asked what he would name his horse, the QB offered up the name of his former Packers teammate, center Corey Linsley. “That boy’s got stamina,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers isn’t the only football player in the building. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce took in the festivities at Churchill Downs on Saturday afternoon. — Cydney Henderson

Where is the Kentucky Derby held? 

Churchill Downs in located in Louisville, Kentucky. It opened in 1875 and has hosted the Kentucky Derby ever since.

How big is Churchill Downs? 

Churchill Downs occupies 147 acres and it features a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven-furlong turf racecourse. It is also has barns behind the racetrack, which "house more than 1,400 horses each year,"  according to the facility .

How long is the Kentucky Derby? 

The Kentucky Derby is labeled "the most exciting two minutes in sports,” because it usually lasts about two minutes. In distance, the race is 1 ¼ miles long .

Race 1: Maiden Special Weight

Results of the first race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Pure Force (trainer: Brad Cox)
• 2nd place: Top Gun Rocket
• 3rd place: Culprit

Race 2: Allowance Optional Claiming

Results of the second race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Scylla (trainer: William Mott)
• 2nd place: Secret Statement
• 3rd place: Joke Sisi (CHI)

Race 3: Allowance Optional Claiming

Results of the third race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Mindframe (trainer: Todd Pletcher)
• 2nd place: Cornishman
• 3rd place: Higgins Boat

Kentucky Derby weather 

Saturday's forecast for Louisville calls for a high of 82 degrees with partly sunny skies, but scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to join the party, according to the National Weather Service . There's a 40% probability of precipitation, mainly between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET, but it should be all clear by the 6:57 p.m. ET post time. 

Race 4: Knicks Go Overnight Stakes

Results of the fourth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Strong Quality (trainer: Mark Casse)
• 2nd place: Kupuna
• 3rd place: Five Star General

Kentucky Derby ticket prices 

The available seating options to buy on  Ticketmaster  are infield general admission (standing room only with no track view), infield final turn general admission (standing room only with no track view), reserved seating, dining and premier dining. Frontside plaza walkaround seats are sold out. Here are the prices for each section on Ticketmaster: 

• Infield general admission : $130 ($135 with fees). 
• Infield final turn general admission : $320 ($387 with fees). 
• Reserved s eating : $975 ($1,160 with fees). 
• Dining : $1,786 ($2,125 with fees). 
• Premier dining : $5,814 ($7,034 with fees). 

How have Kentucky Derby favorites fared?

NBC political journalist Steve Kornacki broke down how the favorites have fared recently in the Derby. From 2013-2018, the favorites won every year.

Here’s how the betting favorites fared in the last five years:

• 2023: Angel of Empire, 4-1, 3rd
• 2022: Epicenter, 4-1, 2nd
• 2021: Essential Quality, 5/2, 3rd*
• 2020: Tiz The Law, 3/5, 2nd
• 2019: Improbable, 4-1, 4th *

Note: After the disqualification of other horses, Essential Quality and Improbable's finishes were officially recorded as 3rd and 4th place, respectively.

Race 5: Twin Spires Turf Sprint S

Results of the fifth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Cogburn (trainer: Steven Asmussen)
• 2nd place: Filo Di Arianna
• 3rd place: Mischief Magic

Kentucky Derby 2023 winner 

Mage, who didn’t even race as a 2-year-old and had one victory in three career starts, won the 2023 Kentucky Derby with 15-1 odds . 

Jace’s Road, Reincarnate, and Kingsbarns broke out early from the pack, crossing the ¼ mile at 22:35. Coming down at the ½ mile mark, Verifying set the pace at 45.73, but at the top of the stretch, Two Phil’s bolted out to the lead, but the Mage came from the outside with long strides passing Two Phil’s on inside and won by a length, crossing the finish at 2:01.57. 

The day was marred by the death of two horses . Freezing Point and Chloe’s Dream were euthanized after racing earlier in the day. 

Race 6: Derby City Distaff S.

Results of the sixth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Vahva (trainer: Cherie DeVaux)
• 2nd place: Alva Starr
• 3rd place: Flying Connection

How many races are there on Kentucky Derby day?

The 2024 Kentucky Derby is  one of 14 races  that will be held Saturday, making it one event – albeit easily the most high-profile – on a busy day at Churchill Downs .

The 2024 Kentucky Derby is the 12th race that will go off Saturday at Churchill Downs, beginning about 90 minutes after the preceding race, the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic. — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network

Kentucky Derby 2024 purse 

The purse for this year's Kentucky Derby has reached a staggering $5 million, which will be divided among the top five finishers. The winner will receive the largest portion of the prize pool, amounting to $3.1 million, while the runner-up will receive $1 million. The third-place finisher will receive a prize of $500,000. 

Race 7: Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes

Results of the seventh race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Chili Flag (FR) (trainer: Chad Brown)
• 2nd place: Coppice
• 3rd place: Delahaye

Race 8: Pat Day Mile Stakes

Results of the eighth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• 1st place: Seize the Grey
• 2nd place: Nash
• 3rd place: Vlahos

Race 9: American Turf

Results of the ninth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• Formidable Man

Race 10: Churchill Downs Stakes

Results of the 10th race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• Here Mi Song

Race 11: Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes

Results of the 11th race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

• Program Trading
• Naval Power

Kentucky Derby on NBC

On Saturday, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced an extension on their broadcasting partnership through 2032.

“As we celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs is proud to extend the relationship with NBC Sports,” Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said in a statement. “As our media partner for the last 23 years, NBC has artfully captured the most exciting two minutes in sports and the spectacle of the senses that surrounds it.”

Forever Young looks to give Japan first Kentucky Derby win 

It’s a small sample size, but Japan-breds are 0-for-4 at the Kentucky Derby since 2019, with Master Fencer (2019) and Derma Sotogake (2023) sharing the best finishes at sixth place. 

Forever Young  carries Japan’s hopes this year, and many believe the undefeated colt gives the country its best chance ever in the Kentucky Derby . -- Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier Journal  

Looking ahead to a superstar sprinter this summer

NBC used its Derby Day coverage to promote another big event, the Summer Olympics in Paris.

World champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson appeared in a spot with Cardi B talking about the Olympics, which begin July 26. Richardson is expected to be a medal contender in the women’s 100 meters, an event she won at last summer’s world championships in Budapest. At worlds, Richardson also won gold in the women’s 4x100 relay and bronze in the 200.

Saturday she told Cardi B to come to Paris to watch her sprint for Olympic gold.

“I will come just for you … and shopping,” Cardi B said. 

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