Seasonal
Best Media for MLK Service
Shift Worship Has the Perfect Media for Your MLK Service
Planning an MLK church service? Shift Worship has the best collection of media for this very inspirational service.
Educational Opportunities
Utilizing MLK media is a great tool to educate during sermons, study groups, or special events to promote discussions about justice, equality, and the role of faith in social issues.
Principle Relevance
Many of MLK’s messages align with core principles found in various religious teachings, such as compassion, justice, and love for one’s neighbor. Integrating his media into religious services can help reinforce these principles and encourage congregants to apply them in their lives.
Community
MLK’s legacy is also about community engagement and participation. Churches can use media to inspire congregants to actively participate in community service, social outreach, and advocacy for positive change.
Legacy Remembrance
Sharing MLK media in churches is a way to honor and remember a key figure in the fight for civil rights. This can be particularly relevant during special events or commemorations tied to MLK Day, providing an opportunity for reflection and commitment to continuing the work for justice.
Shift Worship Tips Wrap-Up
In the video above, Shift Worship team members Mariah and Dale, discuss the latest MLK collection: MLK Inspiration.
In this collection, you’ll discover a captivating color scheme featuring lighter red, yellow, and the iconic silhouette of Martin Luther King. The imagery beautifully captures impactful poses from historical sources, bringing a creative and engaging element to your service. What makes this collection stand out is its comprehensiveness. Packed with motions, stills, two countdowns, lower thirds, and an extensive array of social media graphics, it provides everything you need to create a visually stunning and cohesive worship experience.
Highlighting the social media aspect, Mariah emphasizes the fantastic opportunity to build excitement throughout the week. The collection’s abundance of social media graphics allows for an engaging campaign, encouraging attendance at your Sunday service. For those who haven’t joined Shift Worship yet, we offer a 30-day free trial with two plan options. This trial grants access to the entire collection, enabling the download of up to 50 graphics and advanced planning for multiple Sundays. Additionally, members gain access to other media content and the user-friendly in-software editing tool, Quick Editor.
Dale sheds light on the unique paper cutout style of this collection, attributing it to the talented artist Janelle Washington. This style not only adds a distinctive touch but also represents different cultures and diversity, fulfilling a need expressed by Shift Worship’s audience. (Find her website here).
In a teaser for upcoming releases, Dale shares that Janelle will be collaborating with Shift Worship for another series dedicated to Black History Month. Signing up for the free trial not only grants access to the current collection but also ensures inclusion in future releases. Mariah also draws attention to an exciting addition to the collection – a mini movie. Perfect for worship intros or sermon bumpers, this unique feature enhances the overall worship experience, adding an element of fun and creativity. Dale encourages readers to explore related collections on the Shift Worship website. Janelle’s creative prowess extends to the Black History Month inspiration series, providing an opportunity to discover more of her work and complement the current MLK-inspired collection.
As the segment concludes, Mariah expresses gratitude for joining and hints at more exciting content to come from Janelle and other producers. Stay tuned for upcoming releases, and until next week, this has been Shift Worship Tips. Thank you, everybody, for joining us on this journey of inspiration and creativity!
The Best Church Media!
Welcome to the Shift Worship blog, where we sit down with Mariah, Dale, and Nathan from the Shift Worship team to discuss their favorite collections, exciting releases from the past year, and a sneak peek into what’s in store for the future.
Top Collection: Easter Risen
This year, the largest holidays for Shift Worship were Easter and Christmas! Our producers created an immense amount of amazing media that many churches used in their services and events. In the video above, our team discusses some of the most popular collections of the year, emphasizing the significance of holiday-themed releases.
Easter Risen by Centerline New Media takes the spotlight, featuring four mini-movies, making it a mega-pack suitable for multiple Sundays or services during the Easter Season. Included in this collection are several pre-designed slides for Easter, Good Friday, Welcomes, closings, and communion. A unique feature of this collection is the different tones of the media included. Several of the designs have a lighter tone to them, representing the hope and love that Jesus created by dying for our sins. The other half of the collection shows darker tones, meant to express the sadness and seriousness of the ultimate sacrifice.
Pro tip: This collection is great for sharing the timeline and story of the crucifixion.
Included in the Easter Risen collection:
- 4 Mini Movies
- 47 Motion Backgrounds
- 47 Still Backgrounds
- 7 Social Media Graphics
- 2 Countdowns
- 4 Sermon Titles
- + Several Editable files for Photoshop & After Effects
Second Top Collection: Silent Night
The Silent Night collection, also by Centerline New Media, is highlighted for its versatility, fitting seamlessly into the Advent and Christmas season. This collection places focus on the night of Jesus’s humble birth. Several backgrounds included the wise men traveling to bless the new baby, a mother’s caress, and parents traveling to safety to give birth to their baby boy. There are also plenty of media with candle-lit elements that make it the perfect media for sermons during the Advent season.
Included in the Silent Night Collection:
- 6 Mini Movies
- 42 Motion Backgrounds
- 42 Still Backgrounds
- 20 Social Media Graphics
- 3 Countdowns
- 1 Sermon Title
- + Several Editable files for Photoshop & After Effects
Best Mini Movies
In the Shift Worship Tips video, Dale introduces the concept of mini movies, short films designed to enhance worship services. The top mini movie of 2023 was This Is Jesus, produced by Shift Worship. Jesus’s life on Earth is a humbling and inspiring story, showcasing the love of God and all that was endured during his time. His birth and sacrifice are beautiful shared in this compelling mini movie. Unique images, splashes of colors, text on screen, momentous music, and a strong voice encompass the journey of Jesus. The Holy Week Paint Collection fits perfectly with this mini movie, and both are great to sow during the Easter season.
Dale also showcases his favorite mini movie, Goodbye, by Hyper Pixels Media. While the title may seem to be an exist video, Goodbye is a welcome video that creatively encourages congregants to leave behind worldly concerns upon entering the church. Begin your service with this uplifting welcome video that will make visitors and members feel a part of the church family and show that with God they will find full forgiveness and peace beyond understanding.
This video video is set with monochrome scenes and colorful words on screen. There is also a voiceover that reads the words on the screen, combined with inspirational background music.
Cathedral Glass: A Favorite
In the video above, Dale kicks off the discussion by sharing his love for the Cathedral Glass collection. Released in the summer, this stained glass-inspired assortment captures the elegance and subtlety needed for a worship setting. Dale highlights the versatility of the motions, making them suitable for both song lyrics and stills. He also introduces a unique trivia countdown related to the Great Escape of the Bible, adding an extra layer of engagement for church services.
Included in the Cathedral Glass Collection:
- 49 Motion Backgrounds
- 49 Still Backgrounds
- 3 Countdowns
- 10 Social Media Graphics
- 7 Sermon Titles
- 3 Bulletins & Postcard
- + Photoshop & After Effect Files
Beautiful Collection: Beautiful Day
Shift Worship Brand Manager, Mariah, then expresses her excitement about the Beautiful Day collection released in spring. As a big fan of calm and light colors, Mariah appreciates the kaleidoscope effect in this collection. The motions and stills in Beautiful Day evoke the calming ambiance of a sunset or sunrise, making it a perfect addition to worship services. She also highlights the inclusivity of the collection, offering three countdowns to cater to various service durations.
Included in the Beautiful Day Collection:
- 29 Motion Backgrounds
- 29 Still Backgrounds
- 3 Countdowns
- 10 Social Media Graphics
- 7 Sermon Titles
- 3 Bulletins & Postcards
- + Photoshop & After Effect files
BIG Church Favorite
Special guest, Nathan, also shares his favorite collection, Epiphany Desert. Nathan enjoys that this collection can align with his church’s tradition of following the church calendar. Set to be used during the Epiphany season, this collection stands out for its subtle Earth Tones and quality design. Nathan appreciates the simplicity and meaningful depiction, especially in a key motion featuring the wise men discovering Christ for the first time.
Included in the Epiphany Desert Collection:
- 6 Motions
- 6 Stills
- 1 Countdown
- + Editable Files for Photoshop & After Effects
The Shift Worship team wraps up the discussion by sharing their expectations for the coming year. Dale anticipates more slow drone footage to meet the demand for serene visuals in larger church settings. Nathan looks forward to new releases aligned with the church calendar, from Advent to ordinary time. Mariah adds a personal touch, expressing her desire for natural footage of the Pacific Northwest to grace church slides.
We would like to remind readers that Shift Worship releases a new collection every week, sometimes even two! We also encourage feedback and would like to invite you to try Shift Worship for free with a 30-day trial. Shift Worship is grateful for the ongoing support and we look forward to sharing more inspiring content in the year ahead!
In conclusion, the Shift Worship team’s passion for enhancing worship experiences shines through as they share their favorites and aspirations for the future. Stay tuned for exciting releases and continuous innovation in the world of worship visuals!
4 Videos to Share During Christmas Services in 2023
Spread the true meaning of Christmas in services this year with top 4 types of videos! Churches all over the world are getting ready to spread the warmth, joy, and reflection that this season brings. One of the best ways to do this is displaying carefully selected videos that highlight the messages of love, hope and goodwill. Keep reading as Shift Worship walks you through what types of videos to play and when! Plus, check out the latest Shift Worship Tips video highlighting a brand-new Christmas video on our site!
1. The Nativity Story:
Christmas is more than presents, Santa, trees, and other holiday festivities. The real message comes from the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Once a year, the opportunity arises to showcase a humble birth in a barn, that would change the lives of everyone. In the Old Testament, numerous prophesies were told about the coming of a Messiah, a Savior who would bring salvation and reconcile humanity with God.
We recommend sharing this story at the beginning of the Christmas season, and of course, close to the holiday itself. On Shift Worship, you can find plenty of digital media that displays this story, as well as elements that support sermons given about it.
2. Christmas Carols and Worship Videos:
Sermons and notes are not the only resources available to share the meaning of Christmas. With Christmas carols, and worship videos-the entire congregation can come together to raise their voice in praise and gratitude. They are a different avenue to learning and appreciating how Jesus came into the world to save it. These carols and videos are great for including all ages and setting the tone for service.
You can find our videos on the site here.
3. Inspirational Testimonies:
Christmas is the ultimate story of birth and rebirth. It presents a marvelous opportunity to connect with one another about spiritual rebirth. Sharing testimonies or religious journeys is a great way to inspire your congregation and encourage others to explore their faith as well.
4. Advent Reflections:
Advent serves as a way to prepare for the coming of Christ in the weeks before Christmas. The four themes: hope, peace, joy, and love-present a unique way to observe and appreciate the light of Christ. It creates space for deep reflection as well as spiritual preparation.
You can find all of our Advent media on the site here.
Shift Worship Tips
In this Shift Worship Tips session, Mariah, the brand manager at Shift Worship, introduces a brand new Mini Movie called “The Thread of Christmas.” Joined by Dale, they discuss their favorite Christmas songs and the unique features of the new video. The Mini Movie, part of the Silent Night collection by Centerline, draws inspiration from an older video called “Nativity Drawing.” The video is described as a reflective and captivating journey through the night of Christ’s birth, set to the backdrop of “O Holy Night.” Mariah and Dale suggest using it for Christmas Eve services, as an opener for a night of worship, or even to kick off Advent, creating a candlelit and reflective atmosphere. They encourage viewers to explore other collections on the Shift Worship site, offering a 30-day free trial for those interested in accessing a variety of media for their Christmas and New Year’s services. The session concludes with an invitation for feedback and a reminder to join them for more Shift Worship Tips in the following week.
Christmas Media Ideas for 2023!
The 2023 holiday season is almost here! Churches, teams, volunteers, staff, and congregations are gearing up for their annual Christmas services. Whether you’re a church leader veteran or someone who’s planning a Christmas service for the first time, Shift Worship’s Christmas Idea Page is here to make holiday service planning the easiest and most memorable it’s ever been. Our special idea page is the ultimate resource of media that will bring the true spirit of Christmas to your congregation.
Preview the New Collections
Shift Worship’s priority is to always be at the forefront of providing high-quality media resources, and this holiday season is no different. The Christmas Idea Page provides an exciting sneak peek at three new collections set to be released before Christmas. Each collection was thoughtfully designed to help tell the spread the faith of Christ’s birth in a fresh and captivating way:
1. Christmas Manger – A unique twist on the classic nativity scene, this collection combines art with the timeless story of Jesus’ birth.
2. Nostalgic Christmas Villages – Take a trip down memory lane with a timeless Christmas village atmosphere.
3. Christmas Flourish – Set the Christmas tone with dynamic and colorful backgrounds.
Other Christmas Collections
In addition to these brand-new collection, Shift Worship’s Christmas Idea Page provides links and images to other collections that are perfect for your Christmas services. Whether you’re looking for traditional, contemporary, or Advent-focused resources, there’s something for every need. Each collection is designed to fit your sermon or service topic! (Pro tip: Use your membership or sign up for a free trial to customize these collections)
Benefits of Planning Holiday Services in Advance
Planning your holiday services beforehand is something that we highly recommend! Not only does it reduce stress, but it also provides the following benefits:
1. Freedom to be Creative: Creativity requires inspiration, and we all know that does not happen overnight. Planning ahead creates room for idea to flow, mistake to be made, and the best services to be produced.
2. Volunteer Engagement: Know exactly what you need this holiday season! Plan ahead for special events connected to your services, and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to see and hear the amazing creation come to life. By having a plan, you can communicate that with others, who will only assist in reaching the end goal together.
3. Create Excitement for Service: Send a preview of the service to the congregation, neighbors, friends – anyone who would benefit from the message. This preview can encourage people to attend!
4. Prepare Spiritually: Calling all pastors, and leaders! Knowing what content your service will have, you will be able to allow God to work through with you with minimal distractions.
The Importance of Christmas Services
Christmas is way more than just gifts, trees, snow, and fancy cookies; it’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Church services play a crucial role in refreshing everyone of the true meaning of Christmas (Charlie Brown who?). These services offer a space for reflection, worship, and community, allowing all attendees to connect with the heart of the Christian faith.
Christmas services also serve as an open invitation to those who might not regularly attend church. It’s a time when people are more receptive to the message of hope, love, and salvation. These services can be a bridge for those seeking spiritual answers and a sense of belonging.
Shift Worship’s Christmas Idea Page is the best place to receive an inspired and organized Christmas service planning experience. With a sneak peek at our upcoming collections and an array of existing resources, you can create meaningful, engaging, and transformative Christmas services that will leave a lasting impact on your congregation and community. So, start planning ahead and be ready to embrace the beauty and significance of Christmas this holiday season.
Our First AI-Assisted Collection
You’ve probably noticed how hot AI-generated art is right now. Sites like DALL-E, midjourney, and Night Cafe have made it possible for anyone to feed specific words to artificial-intelligence bots and see what images those systems deliver. A quick search will turn up millions of examples of how these computers are interpreting language and translating it into images.
The design team at Shift Worship wanted to see if they could use one of these sites, midjourney, to help make a collection for churches to use in worship. The result is is the Autumn Skynet Collection, one of our most popular sets this season.
We asked Megan Watson, a Shift Worship producer, to explain to us how the team used midjourney to build this set.
Q. What was the first step in creating a collection like this?
A. We started by testing out several different kinds of prompts and images to see what could be created. We came up with some pretty fun and even bizarre images. This process required doing research into rich words and vocabulary that could be used to narrow down the results to get the right look and feel for our design. The obvious choices were -“fall, autumn, forests, leaves, etc,” but then we used prompts that also included cues as to art style, lighting, coloring, and more. It turns out it’s pretty useful to have a good understanding of art history!
Q. So was it just finding the right combination of words to feed the AI?
A. The prompts are only part of the process. Once we achieved a reasonable and unique look, we further used the AI tools to refine and create variations. This can take a lot of reiterations, trial-and-error, and patience. Our rule was to make sure the images had a truly spacious feel for use as motions that could lend themselves to text being overlayed well and while giving it a full environmental feeling.
Q. What did you have to do the final images to make them usable?
A. Since most AI software outputs small imagery, we first take those images and upscale them into a usable state using Adobe Illustrator. Next we took the images into Photoshop to clean them up. There tends to be a lot of odd “extras” in AI-generated imagery that we take out or manipulate into other parts of the image.
Q. What else did you have to do?
A. We also add color correction, recrop the layout, add details, and even move whole parts of the image around if needed! Then the image is ready to be made into a motion. We manipulate the base image in After Effects by using various masks, overlays, and in this case leaves, to develop the motion effect. We also often bring in more lighting and color correction to create the final part of the motion.
Q. What about copyright? Who owns the original computer-generated art?
A. We carefully researched our image rights and uses and made sure we had taken all of the necessary steps to ensure those were in place. We also have strictly used only certain types of images that would not use any copyright or trademarked elements in our designs.
Q. So is AI-generated art really “art”?
A. I view these generated images as a way to explore art styles and not a form of artistry itself. The designs are a helpful tool in our toolbox, along with many other kinds of images we use to create beautiful collections.
Check out the Autumn Skynet Collection on ShiftWorship.com.
What Is Midjourney?
Adaptability and Learning: Midjourney AI systems are distinguished by their ability to learn from interactions and adapt to new information. These AI models can improve their performance over time through machine learning and network training, making them more effective and efficient at handling a different of tasks.
Enhanced Problem-Solving: Throughout its aging, AI problem-solving capabilities become significantly more sophisticated. These systems can analyze complex data sets, identify patterns, and propose solutions with a level of depth and nuance that was previously unattainable. This makes midjourney AI invaluable in fields such as healthcare, where it can help diagnose diseases from medical images, and in environmental science, where it can model climate change scenarios.
Personalization and User Interaction: Midjourney AI excels in personalizing experiences and improving user interaction. Through natural language processing and understanding user preferences, AI can tailor content, recommendations, and services to individual needs. This personalization enhances user satisfaction in applications ranging from e-commerce to digital assistants.
Creative Collaboration: A unique benefit of midjourney AI is its ability to collaborate creatively with humans. Whether in writing, art, or music, AI can now generate original content that inspires and extends human creativity. By providing tools that translate ideas into tangible outputs, AI can act as a creative partner, expanding the realm of what's possible in artistic expression.
Efficiency and Automation: Midjourney AI contributes to efficiency improvements across various industries by automating routine tasks and optimizing processes.
Top 10 Most Downloaded Fall Collections
Nothing sets a cozy mood for an autumn service like one of our fall collections. Grab one of these popular sets to bring the best of the season to your screens this weekend.
#1 - The Last Light Collection
#2 - The Autumn Oasis Collection
#3 - The Thanksgiving Light Collection
#4 - The Autumn Optics Collection
#5 - The Dappled Fall Collection
#6 - The Deep Autumn Collection
#7 - The Golden Hour Collection
#8 - The Autumn Scripture Collection
#9 - The Harvest Gold Collection
#10 - The Thanksgiving Flight Collection
New Easter Mini Movie
Designed to be shown in church on Easter Sunday or any celebration of the resurrection, this mini movie moves. "The One who died for our sins has been raised! Our Lord lives!"
Included in the Easter Foil Collection.