A Sermonspice Top 100 Video!

  

 

Give Thanks in All-Acoustic Version   This NEW acoustic version, not available until now,  has broken through to Sermonspice’s Top 100 Chart months before Thanksgiving this year!  Sure to be as popular with young audiences as the big-seller, Give Thanks in All Circumstances-Original Version!  Cool, interesting rhythms!

Give Thanks in All Circumstances-Original    (Stomp Style Percussion Music)   Something fast-paced, contemporary and edgy for any Sunday.  Very popular last Thanksgiving.   

Labor Day sermon video  Our Labor in Christ Countdown 10  uses pure scripture to get your people thinking about the rewards of staying in the race and and is powered by a hip 60′s rock backround.

Labor Day sermon video Our Labor in Christ Countdown 9  has a bit more reserved, yet very upbeat, positive and inspiring contemporary music background. 

In the spirit of Labor Day this Digital Echo Countdown gets your people thinking positively about their labor in Christ in the work of evangelism, soul building, and staying in the race. Scriptures on planting, reaping and building, work, labor, diligence and giving yourself fully to the work of the Lord.  Can be used in conjuction with sermons of giving and stewardship of time, work, and money. Great for Labor Day, evangelism series, financial campaign or celebrations after these kinds of topics. Produced in two music styles to complement any worship or youth service. Countdown #9 has upbeat inspiring music and #1o has a hip rock tune.

Remember the Sacrifice-Full Version  Having been shot down, captured,  and escaping German prison camps three times, Chuck  shares how God protected him in World War II against some pretty steep odds!  This ball turret gunner was left for dead after his plane was bombed by friendly fire. Amazingly, he later met up with a close friend he had figured for dead in a German prison camp and they planned the prison break.  This 85 year old veteran will steal your heart with his stories in the Short Film designed to celebrate patriotic holidays.  ”Remember the Sacrifice-Short Version”  highlights Chuck’s story.  The “Full Version” begins with Terry Klebes, a Vietnam Vet who shares about his friend who gave the ultimate sacrifice, voluntarily, and what goes through Terry’s mind on Independence Day.  This is a Sermonspice Top 100 Video. Digital Echo provides Welcome Countdowns and Scripture Video Loops to coordinate with these Short Films. A version is available without the US flag intro, appropriate for use in any country.

 

 Watch the video: Remember the Sacrifice-Short Version  Highlights only the WWII veteran. Appropriate for any day.  Run Time: 3:37 Link to coordinating videos: Patriotic and Freedom in Christ Countdowns and Video Loops with a selection of Music Styles.  Choose the style that’s right for your service!

To view  All Patriotic Countdowns and Extra-Long Scripture Loops Click Here 

Remember the Sacrifice-Full Version  Having been shot down, captured,  and escaping German prison camps three times, Chuck  shares how God protected him in World War II against some pretty steep odds!  This ball turret gunner was left for dead after his plane was bombed by friendly fire. Amazingly, he later met up with a close friend he had figured for dead in a German prison camp and they planned the prison break.  This 85 year old veteran will steal your heart with his stories in the Short Film designed to celebrate patriotic holidays.  ”Remember the Sacrifice-Short Version”  highlights Chuck’s story.  The “Full Version” begins with Terry Klebes, a Vietnam Vet who shares about his friend who gave the ultimate sacrifice, voluntarily, and what goes through Terry’s mind on Veterans Day.  This is a Sermonspice Top 100 Video. Digital Echo provides Welcome Countdowns and Scripture Video Loops to coordinate with these Short Films. A version is available without the US flag intro, appropriate for use in any country.

  Watch the video: Remember the Sacrifice-Short Version  Highlights only the WWII veteran. Appropriate for any day.  Run Time: 3:37 Link to coordinating videos: Patriotic and Freedom in Christ Countdowns and Video Loops with a selection of Music Styles.  Choose the style that’s right for your service!

To view  All Patriotic Countdowns and Extra-Long Scripture Loops Click Here

Watch the Sermon Illustration Video  Length  3:57 Minutes

Video en Espanol – Spanish Version

I’m always amazed at how a video camera and microphone can open up opportunities to learn about your friends in ways that might never happen otherwise.  People somehow give you a license to ask them questions that at other times could be considered invasive or awkward.

Last year for Easter, I interviewed some folks to ask about what sacrifices people have made for them. I brought the tapes back to my tiny studio and watched the footage on my computer screen trying to see how I could make a connection to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  It quickly became obvious this wasn’t to be a video about Easter it was a video about Mothers!

One of my friends that I spoke to was Catharina. Catharina grew up in Romania in the 1960s. I didn’t know her full story until I asked the simple question, “Has anyone ever given something up for you?”  I was blown away with the privilege of hearing her gripping story. 

Catharina told in me her beautiful Romanian accent about how her mother and father had been farmers in an impoverished,  and yet, particularly picturesque village.  (If anyone thinks we have economic hardships today they need to hear this story!)  This village was a place with such poverty that they only had one television in the town.  Everyone would go to watch TV at the local school when they heard a good program was going to be on that night.  Daily they would wait in long lines into the night to purchase the scarce and rationed food they could afford. They not only had very little but electric power was rationed and sporatic.

Crime was commonplace.  Catharina’s grandfather had to sleep in a shed on his vineyard to guard the produce from thieves.  One night he came close to death when burglars took pitchforks and stabbed at the hay he was hiding under trying to kill him. By a miracle they missed him by inches and deduced that he wasn’t there. Another time they burned down the shed hoping to kill him in his sleep and take possession of the vineyard.  By God’s grace that was a night he chose to sleep in the main house.

Catharina’s mother had been raised by Godly parents in an earlier time when religion was actually taught in the schools. Her mother’s exposure to the Bible and prayer brought her mother to a close relationship with Christ.  Prayer was common in their home. Catharina grew up hearing her mother pray for a half hour before breakfast, daily.  Her parents and grandparents prayed for their village, constantly.  It comes as no surprise that the village was one of the few to be on an list of places to be spared destruction. 

There was no religion permitted in the schools when it came time for Catharina to attend. However, throughout her life she listened to stories from her mother and grandparents of how God protected his children through his power in the lives of Daniel, Moses and others. Catharina thought this is really a great God! 

Due to the danger and oppression Catharina’s parents submitted the papers to request permission to leave the country even though it would mean leaving their Godly parents and beloved village.  For nearly 16 years they were rejected and denied permission to leave.  Some Romanians were permitted to leave to Germany but it was unheard of for anyone to be allowed to emigrate to the US. Catharina began to dream of leaving Romania when the corn would be at a certain height.  She felt that was God telling her when to be ready to go.  She shared this dream with her mother.

One day, when Catharina was a teenager, they received news that they were granted their request to go to the United States.  Catharina’s mother considered it a miracle of God!  A blessing from the sky! Catharina realized the corn had reached the height in her earlier dream. She now realizes God was preparing them and waiting for the right time for their departure in his plan on His eternal clock.  

Her parents made the sacrifice of leaving their family and friends and homeland to give their two children the opportunity to live a life of freedom.  They left everyone they knew, including the dear parents who led them to Christ, not knowing if they would ever be able to see them again.  Unsure if the permission would be revoked, they quickly packed, said their goodbyes, and ran toward freedom.

Although her mother went to be with the Lord 11 years ago, Catharina says the lessons she taught still speak to her today.

Mother was a wise woman, we lived a simple life.  Mom trusted God. He calmed her during the storms of hard times and travel.  We hardly ever saw money growing up! We learned money is not what you need. Enjoy people. Care for and love each other.  Make it a priority to help people. People come first.  Things are fake and plastic.  How I grew up made me a different person. It taught me what is really important!

Catharina, or as her American friends call her, Cathy, has graciously allowed me to share her poem of her pilgrimage to freedom:

In You I Trust for All My Days

It’s a blessing in my life,

It’s a blessing from the sky.

No more rejection or denials

You freed me from up high;

You led me from the sky.

You walked ahead,

And calmed the storm.

You formed my path

So I could run.

You brought the sun

After much rain.

When times had peaked,

For me you reached

And took my hand.

And at its best

You led me

From east to west.

You rescued me from much despair

I just knew heaven was there.

To you, O Lord,

I must give thanks,

I must praise you a million times

For your unfailing love and grace.

For I have seen your loving hand

Indicating the time on that clock

Because you are an omnipotent God!

Watch the Sermon Illustration Video  Length  3:57 Minutes

View all Digital Echo Videos on the Website (You’re reading the Blog)

Poem:  Copyright 2009-2011. Used with Permission.

Five Minute Countdown with Large Grunge Gothic Numerals and Rock Music

Watch the Gothic Grunge Cross Videos

Watch all the Videos

 

Years ago I studied art in college with a concentration in painting.  Being a commuting student for much of the time it was always frustrating having to lug my canvases and materials and books for what seemed like a mile up out of the parking lot that had been built in the bottom of a former quarry to my classes. Then after class I would lug them back to the car and commute an hour home on the Garden State Parkway.  When I would finally get home at 9 or 10pm my mother would forbid me to set up the easel and canvases anywhere but in a small spot in the laundry room in the basement.  After I got married my husband complained whenever I would get out the oils and turpentine.   Well things have changed,  now I’ve grown up, and so has technology.  I’ve  just digitally completed a series of  what I think are visually gorgeous video backgrounds of what look like inky watercolors in motion.  I only wish that when I was in art school we could have done it on a computer!  How about a laptop for that commute!  Wow!  

These latest videos are sumptous rich backgrounds and 5 and 10 minute countdowns and clips with dramatic ominous swirling clouds and shooting stars behind the silhouette of 3 crosses set to powerful contemporary music. One has the words: “He is Risen!” and one says “It is Finished!”  Others have no text at all.

Churches use these countdowns as a warm-up to their services with space for a church logo or name.  They can turn down the volume and use them for lyrics, a welcome, or announcements with their own live music or recorded music.  Pastors can choose large Gothic Grunge Numbers or Smaller Numbers depending on what they want to add and how much space they need.  I love the music. Pastors and church staff can download them from Sermonspice.  These should make dramatic backgrounds for a Good Friday or Easter Service Cantada.  Don’t worry pastors, you don’t have to carry any canvases or paint in the laundry room!   (That is…unless you really want to!)

Five Minute Countdown with Large Grunge Gothic Numerals and Rock Music

Watch the Gothic Grunge Cross Videos

Watch all the Videos

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Sermon  Illustration: Run Time: 1:00 Minute

MLK -Faith is Taking the First Step 

Last January this sermon introduction video placed in the top 100 Downloads at Sermonspice.   I enjoyed working with the contrasts in the black and white photographs and and choosing the quotes that I thought would work best with the music, mood and the message.  

Martin Luther King spoke about faith as taking the first step.  The photograph I used in the introduction of the video is one I took in Rome years ago of a staircase at the Vatican.   Although I created this video over 15 months ago, it has enjoyed downloads throughout the year.  It’s a great set-up to sermons and events dealing with justice, right and wrong and having the courage (faith) to speak up for others.  At the end the camera pans to an empty cross and we read King’s famous quote, “Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”   When I first read that quote I had many things in mind that would relate to the Christian faith. I thought of the obvious, justice, compassion and freedom.  And then I thought, would I become silent if speaking up for any of these things meant persecution? 

What in the World is a Countdown Video?

There are three variations of this video with countdown counter text for  churches where they play countdowns before the service to encourage people to get in and get seated.  The subject of the video is chosen to encourage people to begin to think spiritually about the sermon topic. My favorite, and the most popular of these MLK Countdowns from last year, uses blues music before the actual sermon video starts. (Countdown #17)    The other countdown versions are one with a rock intro and a shorter 4 minute one without music in the intro.