Media 4 Churches

5 New Free Backgrounds for Your Church

2011-12-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

Sporting the favorite holiday colors, here are some general purpose backgrounds you can use at your church, just in time for Christmas.

5 free 1920x1080 jpg images are at the MediaForChurches.com website, ready to download. Don't miss them!

Free Seamless Backgrounds

2011-11-25T05:18:00.000-08:00

Don't miss the free download set of free seamless pattern backgrounds for churches and ministries to use in anything they like on the new MediaForChurches.com website. They're a flexible set of high resolution jpegs for all sorts of uses.

Grab them here.

My New Web Site

2011-11-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

I'm back and making this project it's own web site at MediaForChurches.com

Photo-Ready Photoshop Christmas Cards

2009-12-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

PS Hero has released 13, count them 13, complete PSD files of beautiful Christmas cards, complete with editable type layers. They're beautiful!

Leave him some love for these gorgeous gifts in the spirit of the Season! They're classy, professional looking greeting card templates.

Free Photoshop Course

2009-09-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

The very talented guys over at CreativeTechs started a 6 month Photoshop course. Free. I sat in on their Illustrator class a few months ago and it was terrific! It's a video conference, so you hear the instructor giving instructions at the same time you see the program's screen. In the class I took, there was an hour of instruction followed by an hour of Question and Answer.

The Photoshop course started last Thursday, and meets once a week. They make an archive of the videos available for a modest fee if you can't make the class.

If you been wishing you had better Photoshopping skills, here's your chance! I highly recommend this set of classes to anyone who wants to learn to use Photoshop.

Class Information link

I did mention it was FREE, right?

Do You Hear Voices?

2009-08-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Floodgate has done it again! This is an AWESOME short video for a service starter that is at 30% off only until midnight CST on Monday, August 31.

Frankly, even without 30% off, it's an incredible video. I love that it's only 2 minutes long.

I think I might love it more if they had used voice-overs, because I don't know how many people miss the message of videos when required to sit and read them. It's just a gut-level feeling after watching people in our congregation and how they respond to various videos, though. Someone should do a scientific study about that.

Go watch it - sale or no sale; voice or no voice. See how it can serve the vision of your church.

Major props to Floodgate for this short!

10 Free Video Bumpers @IgniterMedia

2009-08-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, the end of summer sale at IgniterMedia just keeps on heating up. Tuesday and Wednesday this week, they're giving away Volume three video bumper downloads. Yes, for free!

You'll find a checklist, a whiteboard, several very trendy modern looks, a short order ticket, some VIEW MASTERs, and more! Don't ignore your email tickler for this, go grab the goods, just add some text, and make some great little videos work in your next church service!

There are 10 bumpers in the set. You'll love them!

250 Free Business Cards PLUS

2009-08-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

VistaPrint.com is having a special promotion right now for free business cards. It doesn't stop there, though. Basic designs of a rubber stamp, banner, return address labels, postcards, and more are all on this special offer.

We had my husband's business cards printed there last year, and they turned out gorgeous. I did the design for the company, uploaded the cards for each of them, and they turned out great. Everyone was happy with them.

Here's the web page with the free offers and info:

http://www.vistaprint.com/freesavings

I just ordered business cards. Since I uploaded my own design, they charged me $3.74 extra for that, and I went with the slow boat to Fresno shipping rate, which was $5.67. For under $10, I'll have 250 full color business cards with my own design on them. They will be here in less than 3 weeks (see "slow boat to Fresno shipping" above). If I wanted a glossy finish, heavier paper, or a printed back side, there's a small charge for those options. No, thank you, I just wanted a basic card.

I'm jazzed! Go see what is on the list that might be useful to you or to your team!

Free HD Video Loops

2009-08-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Footage Firm is giving away *free* HD video loops. You pay only a shipping & handling charge. You can choose between 11 DVDs, sorted by title; pick up 1 or all 11. There's a demo reel for each volume so that you can see what is on each DVD, click on the volume name to see the details.

I've picked up stock footage from them before for our church media library; there's no gimmick, unless you call getting your name out there by offering this kind of special a gimmick. :)

It looks like this might be near the end of this offer, so I suggest you pick up the volumes you want as soon as possible. These are looping backgrounds. If you sign up for their mailing list, they offer free footage sample DVDs several times a year. These offers always come through their email newsletters.

9 Free Fonts for Design

2009-08-06T14:20:00.001-07:00

This is certainly an awesome resource, even if they are not new! There's 9 free fonts left in this original list of 10 Free Fonts for Icon Design post at iconspedia.com. They're all high quality, high character, and high drama potential candidates that can help you design logos, titles, and anything that calls for killer typeface.

Oh yeah, and remember, I said they were FREE, too!

10 er, 9, Free Fonts for Logo Design

Go score them before another one becomes ... not free, and don't forget to give them some props so that these font designers will continue to make commercial quality typefaces available for free.

Free Photoshop Doodle Brushes

2009-07-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

Here's another nice catch from the digital scrapbook designer's world, completely free commercial use doodled leaves, vines, and flower brushes for Photoshop.

You won't need a graphics tablet, and you won't need to be Van Gogh to get a trendy, hand-drawn look to your next church project. Add them to your Photoshop arsenal before they expire.

Leave "Twin Mom Scraps" some props for her freebie - and let her know what you'll be using it for, most designers of all types aren't even aware that there's an entire niche of media people who must have graphics ready every Sunday (and other days, too!) for public meetings.

5 Free Resources This Week for Your Media Library

2009-07-29T11:09:00.001-07:00

These free relevant media resources are going to expire this week. Nab for your church's library before the price tags go back on them.

1. Revostock's video of the week is a power plant, steam (smoke?) and all, in HD. With very little work, I think it could be made to loop if you needed more than 4 seconds.

2. iStockPhoto's free video of the month is a deep blue loop of liquid arcs and spheres. It will be a useful lyric backdrop for many medium and up-tempo songs.

3. Don't miss Floodgate's looping grunge texture for your fast songs - I'm expecting this to stop being free by the month's end, too.

4. Over at Shutterstock, there's a very cool image that's free this week of a heart; it's a contemporary looking image that's actually a small publication folded over into the shape - but you have to look twice at it to figure that part out.

5. Free vector landscape that you can use for almost anything, it's that versatile. It's what I used for the thumbnail in this posting.

Beautiful Photoshop Brushes

2009-07-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

BrushPortfolio.com is an amazing web site full of stunning Photoshop Brushes by Susan Libertiny. And she's giving them away for you to use on your next project.

You'll find great doodles, amazing textures, swirly 'thingies' and her most recent set of brushes, tropical plants from Hawaii.

Stay tuned for her newest updates via Twitter: @BrushPortfolio

FREE Plastic Photoshop Action

2009-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

This week only, the free Photoshop Action for Edged Plastic is yours for the download at Atomic Cupcake.

There's a version for Photoshop Elements and Photoshop CS(whatever), make sure you grab the correct one. All of Atomic Cupcake actions come with a commercial use license, so you don't have to worry about what you're using them for or write for permission.

Quick designer edges on type are one of my favorite ways to make a title POP on a short deadline. Plastic can be SO versatile, too. Actions can give you some of that 'realistic' imperfection that a style generally just can't do.

Atomic Cupcake's free actions generally last only a week - so you've now got 6 days to grab it. Go make some plastic!

Tic-Toc-Tic-Toc...

Today ONLY Igniter Media

2009-07-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

Wow, another HALF off Sale for those killer Igniter Media videos at Worship House Media - today only. I went shopping there for the church today, too!

What did I pick up for Pastor? The controversial Cruise Ship vs. Battle Ship video and the contemporary March of the Unqualified, with it's ever timeless message.

There's a bunch more to pick from, including some of our favorites: Me Church, Are You Amazed, That's My King, Never Been Unloved, Together|Team Hoyt, 99 Balloons, and so many others!

That's two of my favorite video houses with terrific one day sales. TODAY ONLY! Go have a frank talk with what's left of your media budget, and do some quick planning with your Pastor(s).

I'll be sure to let everyone know how these videos went over when we use them.

Monster Sale Today - Videos

2009-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Floodgate Productions has put all their videos on sale today (only) for HALF PRICE. What am I picking up for the church? Elevate, Shoes, Spirit, It, and Isaiah 40.
Tell me what you snagged!

Even the brand new video titles are included, as well as their entire collection of Mini-movies (illustration videos) and all the Worship Drops (we have a few of these already, love them)! Pastor told me last week to buy Shoes - and I hadn't got around to it. It's AWESOME if you haven't seen it.

We rotate Gift of Worship, Welcome to Our Church, It Continues to Grow, and a couple others just before the band starts the morning worship. I'm jazzed to be adding a few of these new ones to that precious Worship Intro slot as we begin Sundays.

Thank you Floodgate, for this amazing MONSTER SALE this week!

Last Day Announcement Stills Sale

2009-07-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

There's a great introductory sale for a set of terrific announcement slides that ends at midnight on July 22nd from Midnight Oil Productions. Announce It Volume 2 has 50 images by graphic designers that are projector ready. You just add text in your presentation program and it's done.

You'll have the perfect image for a wide variety of announcements at your fingertips. Whether you've got a graphics designer on staff or not, most of us know that sometimes there just isn't enough time to do a quality job on an announcement that someone needs.

Keep Announce It handy for those times! After Midnight on July 22nd, the price goes up. Get it now for introductory pricing.

Another awesome church resource from the talents of the guys at Midnight Oil Productions!

Monster Sale at Floodgate This Week

2009-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Stills, Motion loops, and Countdowns are on sale today, Tuesday, for the first day of Floodgate Productions' crazy week-long sale. You do not need a special code, a coupon, or anything else. Just show up on the correct day to buy some of your favorite downloadable media files for these crazy prices.

Take advantage of these deep discounts at Floodgate Productions this week - but remember they are only on sale this one day. If you arrive tomorrow, countdowns won't be on sale, but something else will be!

FREE Photoshop Action - Crayon Drawing

2009-07-16T04:40:00.000-07:00

This week (only), Atomic Cupcake has a crayon drawing Photoshop action for their free download. the examples look great! This will be especially handy if you don't have a graphics tablet yet, but even if you do, it's still a great time-saver for this graphic effect.

Add it to your Photoshop arsenal while it's free.

FREE Sticks and Stones Video

2009-07-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

The SermonSpice.com incredible free video this month is from Proverbs 12:18. It's a 63 second video illustration about the words we use, called The Power of the Tongue.

Utilizing stick figure animation, the video was produced by Storytelling Pictures LLC and nothing gets between the message and the viewer in this brief example of reckless words vs. healing words from a wise tongue.

You could show this to kids in elementary school, and they'd get it. Use it at your youth groups, and they will think it is a cool video made just for their age group. Use it for adults of all ages, and they will not feel like you're showing them a kiddie clip.

You've got until July 31st, if SermonSpice.com does this freebie like their usual ones.

Go watch it, grab it for free - this is one powerful message that everyone will profit from. Then use it. There are some timeless messages we just can't hear enough; and I think this is one of them.

Or maybe the video convicted me on this tongue thing all over again...

New Floodgate Video Riding the News

2009-07-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone's talking, but Floodgate made a new video about the rash of recent celebrity deaths. It's got a limited life span, and I think Floodgate made a bold move to get this video done and out for churches to use as a starting point for a timely conversation.

They called it Death and Life and I think what I'm reading at their web site says it's only going to be available for the next two weeks. They've reduced the price to only $10, too.

HATS OFF Floodgate, this was a brilliant addition for churches and small groups who want to relate to what's happening in society right now.

Free Paper-Textured Overlay

2009-07-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

I just ran across a digital scrapbooking blog which has a great FREE paper-textured overlay for the next week or so. Look for it at the bottom of this posting from LBCreations. Since it is a large and square graphic resource, you can resize it and crop at various sides of the overlay to make just the right effect for your church screen.

Tip: remember that when you're working with an original that is print-sized, it'll look best if you scale it down for on-screen viewing by 33% at least.

Leave her some love in a comment, I didn't see anything in her terms of use license file which would prevent me from using the overlay as part of an image at church.

Expires: 7 July 2009

Life Saving Station - Free Video

2009-06-26T04:40:00.000-07:00

Floodgate Productions is offering a video parable of the Life Saving Station as a free download for June. This is a powerful parable set in contemporary times, made up of elements everyone is already familiar with.

We've used it before during Vision and Values messages and Evangelism teaching - it will hit home and serve as a lighthouse of it's own for every church, warning us of the dangers of elitism, status, and exclusiveness and reminding us of the Work of God, saving people.

The ending will break your heart.

Free only during June, Life Saving Station; make sure your Pastor sees it so he can plan to include it in an appropriate future message.

Get Your Weekly Free Video

2009-06-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

Every week www.motionloops.com gives away a free video loop. They even offer us a choice of video formats (NTSC/PAL) and filetypes (AVI/Quicktime). Sometimes the freebie is subtle, sometimes it's flashy; they give out a wide variety that reflects the breadth of their motion loops content for sale.

All you have to do is join the site - then sit back and wait for the weekly newsletter to remind you to grab the free video of the week.

This week it's a blue gradient falling fan-like construct called "Fan Out" from their v04 Subtle Influence collection. I've never seen them do a re-run on the freebies, either.

Freebies are a wonderful way to sample the quality and style from various video collections before you buy them. Go get yourself signed up!

Here's a big THANK YOU to the folks at MotionLoops for providing this opportunity!

It's Trendy, it Loops and it's FREE!

2009-06-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

@IgniterMedia has a free gift for churches right now (I don't know how much longer) - a trendy looping video.

I love how IgniterMedia always stays absolutely on top of current styles. This new free Painted Paper Nature video loop will blow you away. It's organic looking and will remind you of a hand-inked funky animation. It's so fresh, you won't want to miss it!

I used it for the 60 second greeting break after the first song from the band, and people seemed to really like it. It just LOOKS like so much fun on the screens, and is perfect for summer. It looks like there are more things in this style for sale, so don't overlook them.

Don't forget to leave them some love in a comment when you download it, or on their @IgniterMedia Twitter page.

Elevate - Do We?

2009-06-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

A new video, Elevate, is not for the faint of heart. It's a relevant look at how real people might have come to your church on Sunday morning.

I adore many of the things produced by Floodgate Productions. For instance, at least once a month, our church uses their Welcome To Our Church video just before 10am on Sunday morning.

This new Elevate video will be on my favorites listing, too - I just sent the link to our Senior Pastor and hope he wants to use it.

It's 2 minutes and 50 seconds of honesty about God, about People, and about the Church. Without throwing stones, it will evoke thoughtful dialog about one's personal relationship with God through church and worship. I think it will do the same for even worship teams and church staff members.

This is a deeply introspective, message-driven video with a point for everyone who sees it.

Elevate - go preview it. It'll bless the socks off of you!

Father's Day

2009-06-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

What's your Father's Day celebration going to look like at church? We're going to use Being A Dad from Storytelling Pictures. You'll find it at SermonSpice.com:
http://www.sermonspice.com/product/26045/being-a-dad

I like the visual imagery of this little video and the carefully chosen, but sparse words used in the voice-over. It's just wonderful how it gives you little glimpses into the small things we all do because we love. If we were following our own (selfish) natures, we surely wouldn't sign up to do even half the things we do for those we love.

So what imagery and media are you using to honor Fathers this weekend?

Free American Flag Loop for Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-21T15:46:00.001-07:00

Igniter Media has an awesome United States Flag loop that you can download for free. Use it for Memorial Day, and save it again for the 4th of July. It's a handy little item to add to your toolkit and break out for many occasions.

I like the contemporary feeling that the distressing adds to the flag. I also like it because it doesn't feel like it's been so s-l-o-w-e-d down for a moment in a Hallmark Movie.

Although the flag is about idealism, we earned it with toil, blood, sweat, tears, controversy, and strife. Even through all that grunge, Old Glory still brings out some pride and honor to nearly everyone who sees her.

If you'll be honoring our fallen heroes this weekend, this might be just the backdrop you need. I'll be using it on our center screen; it will be right above a Marine veteran in full dress uniform as he prays for this moment of remembrance, as well as for the safety of our active civilian and military members out of country.

Here's the free United States of America Flag Loop from Igniter Media.

Free Video Loop: Grass in Breeze

2009-05-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

Sermon Spice gives away a video each month. Sometimes it is an illustration, sometimes it's thematic for the time of the year. Let's face it, some are better than others, too.

May's free video is a Loop - a looping landscape of some grass blowing in the breeze at sunset. It's not so busy it will get in the way of lyrics.

FREE Grass in Breeze LOOP
Try it behind "I Will Rise" or "Beautiful One".

It should be a very useful loop especially for the summer season.

Free offer ends the last day in May.

FREE: Church Picnic Graphics from Midnight OIl

2009-05-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Midnight Oil Guys give away one of their graphic sets every month. For May, it's a video and graphics for a Church Picnic theme. Complete with red-checkered tablecloth and everything!

Use it for any number of Summer Activities. There's a blank screen, and one with a box on it for you to 'write' over - plus, as usual for their products, they include the layered Photoshop file.

FREE download until the end of May - get it while you can!

Affordable Video: Hymn History - Come Thou Fount

2009-05-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

This video puts a modern face to the background of this beloved hymn - and does it successfully! A contemporary styling, timeless message, and complete affordability mark this video for consideration for your media library.

Forget $20.00+ videos! Your group will take notice of this presentation for a fraction of the cost - it's downloadble for only $1.99. It crosses generation lines easily, and uses symbols of the faith with the unforgettable music and lyrics to bring the viewer back home to Jesus on a personal level.

Preview the video in its entirety at the BlueFishTV website - and I think you'll agree.

Another score from the folks at BlueFishTV; a non-profit ministry.

FREEBIE: Copper Lettering for Photoshop

2009-05-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Freebie Good Until: May 19, 2009

AtomicCupcake.com is offering a free copper effect action for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements this week.

I used it on a script font (Splendid ES) - and here's the results. I like the 'pipeness' of the look, but feel their copper color is just a tad too pink on my monitor (which is calibrated for our print-outs) so I added a warming filter to it. You can see the original color, and my 'warmed up' one below it in the image:

Your mileage may vary on the colors, I know well the vagaries of monitor displays.

Have fun with this one!