Tag: Worship

Tech

Managing Songs in OpenLP

by timnLeave a Comment on Managing Songs in OpenLP

One of the primary features in OpenLP is the ability to add, import, edit, and project song lyrics. Here’s a brief overview of how you can manage songs in OpenLP.

The Song Library

After running the First Time Wizard, the application window pops up. On the left side of the screen you’ll see the Library with several tabs labeled Songs, Bible, Images, and so forth. These tabs expand when you click them so you can see the contents. This post is about Songs, so click the songs tab. If you added the sample songs in the First Time Wizard, all the sample song titles will appear. If no, this section will be blank.

Creating a Song

Before you can project a song, you have to have it saved in OpenLP. There are several options for importing and creating songs. If you don’t already have any song resources from any other software, you’ll need to create your own songs.

At the top of the Songs Library tab you’ll see a row of icons. These will help you manage your songs. To create a song, click the sheet of paper with the green + symbol. The song editor window pops up with several blank fields. The most basic required fields are as follows, listed by their tab:

  • Title & Lyrics: title, lyrics, verse order
  • Author, Topics, & Songbooks: authors

In order to comply with copyright licensing laws, I recommend being sure to get an account with CCLI and adding the Copyright info & CCLI number for each song as well.

Adding Title & Lyrics

Filling in the title is self-explanatory. However, the lyrics can be a bit tricky at first. You’ll type each stanza (Verse, Chorus, etc.) of the song on its own slide and then add a typical verse order.

To add a slide, on the right find and click Add. A new window pops up where you can type in the stanza, line by line, and give the stanza a name. How many lines and how long are entirely up to you. The visuals will be handled by the themes, so for now you’ll just want to get the song typed in. Once you get the stanza typed, click OK. Once all your stanzas are typed in, you can fill in the verse order.

To fill in the verse order, type the 2-digit Letter-Number abbreviation next to the stanza. So if you have 2 verses, a chorus, and a bridge, your verse order might be V1 C1 V2 B1 C1 C1. Notice that every stanza has a letter and number, so even if there’s only one Chorus or Bridge slide, it’ll have a number.

Adding Authors

To add an author, simply type the name in the Author field. If you have other songs by that author, their name will pop up. If not, you’ll be asked if you want to create a new author. Then you’ll click the Add to Song button to add the author to the song.

Copyright Info and CCLI

This information can be found many places. I prefer to go straight to the CCLI website, but many other sites like PraiseCharts and MultiTracks have this information as well. One note, if you want the copyright symbol before the year, click the © beside the Copyright Information field… it’s actually a button that adds the symbol to the field.

Saving the Song

Once you have the Title, Lyrics, Authors, and Copyright information stored, you’ve got everything you need for your song. Songs have several other advanced options as well, but these are the basics you’ll need for every song. Click Save and the song is now listed in your song library.

Editing a Song

To edit a song, click the icon of a sheet of paper with a pencil at the top of the Song Library. This will pull up the same song editor window you use to create the song with all the song information ready for editing.

Projecting Song Lyrics

There are a couple different ways to project the song. One way is to project the song live from the Song Library. This is useful if, for example, the song leader changes songs on the fly to something not in the service. To project a song live from the Song Library, click the projector icon at the top of the Song Library.

You can also add the song to a service. To add a song to a service, single-click the title of the song in the Song Library. Then click the + icon at the top of the Song Library. The song title will show up in the Service Manage tab on the right side of the screen. (I’ll cover services in a later post.)

More Information and Assistance

For more information about creating, importing, and managing songs, including importing songs from other services, check out the OpenLP manual on their website, http://manual.openlp.org/songs.html. If you run into any particular issues or need more assistance, feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to try to help 🙂

Tech

Getting Started with OpenLP

by timnLeave a Comment on Getting Started with OpenLP

OpenLP is an open source, feature-rich lyric presentation application. In layman’s terms, it’s free projection software with it has all the basic features as well as plenty of extras. It was designed especially for churches to present song lyrics and message slides. This makes it a great option for smaller churches with limited budgets that desire a way to project song lyrics and other kinds of images, messages, notes, etc. for services.

Getting up and running with Open LP is pretty straight-forward, but it can be a bit intimidating for the first-time user. So if you’re looking for some help getting started with Open LP, please keep reading.

Download and Installation

It’s usually best to download software from the company’s own website when possible. This is typically the most secure and up-to-date option. The OpenLP installer packages can be downloaded directly from their website, http://www.openlp.org.

On the website, click “Download” from the top menu. Then download the installer for your computer system. I recommend using the Direct Download option.

To install the application, find the downloaded file. There are several ways to do this, but the two most common are either double-click the downloaded file when it shows up as complete at the bottom of your browser or use your Finder/Explorer to find the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it. Then proceed with the instructions.

Setup with the First Time Wizard

To run the program, find and double-click the application icon on your desktop, in your start menu, or in your applications folder. This will launch the First Time Wizard. First, select the translation (I recommend Autodetect). Then read the directions and click Next through the wizard.

You’ll be presented with options for Plugins (leave these alone), Sample Songs (skip), Sample Bibles (skip), and Sample Themes (skip). As for the remainder of the settings, I suggest just leaving them as they are for now. When you get to the last page of the wizard, click Finish, let OpenLP do its thing. The application window will appear and you’re ready to use OpenLP.

OpenLP Manual and Assistance

If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide with visuals, head over to the OpenLP Manual at their website, which you can find at http://manual.openlp.org/. If you run into any particular issues or need more assistance, feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to try to help 🙂

Tech

Editing Audio on iOS with Ferrite

by timnLeave a Comment on Editing Audio on iOS with Ferrite

Mobile devices are very powerful. At times, they’re also quite a bit more convenient than traditional desktops and laptops. If you have an iPhone or iPad, one very useful app is Ferrite. It’s marketed toward podcasters and journalists, but it’s a great all-around tool for editing church audio on the go.

Importing Audio

  1. When you install the app, Ferrite is added to the “Open In” iOS menu.
  2. To import audio, find the audio file you wish to import.
  3. In the More Options (3 dots) menu, tap “Open in” and tap “Copy to Ferrite.”
  4. You can also share/export audio from another app into Ferrite.

Editing Audio

  1. Once imported, the audio shows up on the main screen.
  2. To edit, tap the icon that’s a square with a pencil.
  3. The app shows a loading bar at the bottom of the screen.
  4. When the audio is finished loading, the waveform displays.
  5. Tap the waveform once to drag, edit start and end points, and fades.
  6. You can also two-finger pinch horizontally to zoom in and out.
  7. The wrench icon provides track tools like effects and automation settings.
  8. There are several other features as well for more advanced editing.
  9. When you’re finished, tap the icon in the lower left with the paper and check.
  10. Notice that edits show up as a new edit, preserving the original sample.

Sharing Audio

  1. To edit clip information (title, export format, etc.), tap the “i” icon.
  2. To delete the edit, tap the trash can icon.
  3. To export the edit, tap the share icon (box with up arrow).
  4. You’ll need somewhere to save the file, I typically upload to the cloud.

Pro Version

Ferrite has an in-app purchase that upgrades to the Pro features. I can’t remember which features are included and which features need the upgrade, though you can probably look it up on the Ferrite website. If you need the features included in the upgrade, it’s definitely worth considering.

Music

Refuge of Our Hope

by timnLeave a Comment on Refuge of Our Hope

An original worship song based on Hebrews 6:17-20.

Refuge of Our Hope
Words and music by Tim Northup

This hope we have, an anchor for the soul
A promise, sure, on which we can stand
The veil torn so we may enter in
And come before the presence of the Lord

Where You call us, You go before us
You made a way where we had no way
The Father’s promise, never changing
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope

God the Son, seated on the throne
Clothed in flesh, coming to His own
The Captain of salvation, suffering
Unto death, bringing us to glory

Where You call us, You go before us
You made a way where we had no way
The Father’s promise, never changing
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope

We draw near to You
Our hearts made pure and true
Our sin covered by the blood
Of Christ the Risen Son

We draw near to You
Our hearts made pure and true
Our sin covered by the blood
Of Christ the Risen Son

Where You call us, You go before us
You made a way where we had no way
The Father’s promise, never changing
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope

Where You call us, You go before us
You made a way where we had no way
The Father’s promise, never changing
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope

A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope
A sure foundation, the refuge of our hope

Music

At the Cross (Joy Made Full)

by timnLeave a Comment on At the Cross (Joy Made Full)

An original worship song inspired by the hymn At the Cross by Isaac Watts and Ralph Erskine Hudson.

At the Cross (Joy Made Full)
Words and music by Isaac Watts, Ralph E. Hudson, Tim Northup

Who was that man upon the cross
Was He the King, the Saving One
Promised to come, to pay the cross
The sinner’s debt, with His own blood

Was it for crimes that were my own
He hung upon that cross alone
The greatest love, a grace unknown
That He should die the death I owed

At the cross I saw Heaven’s Light
Roll away the burden on my soul
There by faith I received my sight
Looking to the Son, my joy made full
Oh God

His spirit groaned and darkness came
Death carried Him to sin’s domain
But death could not the Son contain
He rose again up from the grave

At the cross I saw Heaven’s Light
Roll away the burden on my soul
There by faith I received my sight
Looking to the Son, my joy made full

At the cross I saw Heaven’s Light
Roll away the burden on my soul
There by faith I received my sight
Looking to the Son, my joy made full

At the cross I saw Heaven’s Light
Roll away the burden on my soul
There by faith I received my sight
Looking to the Son, my joy made full
Oh God

Looking to the Son, my joy made full
Oh God

 

Tech

Basic Audio-Video Settings on a Mac

by timnLeave a Comment on Basic Audio-Video Settings on a Mac

Apple computers are especially well-suited for audio and video projects. But if you’re new to using Macs, changing audio and video settings can be challenging. Here’s a simple guide to changing basic audio and video settings.

Changing the Audio Settings

  1. Click the Apple icon at the top left on the menu bar (if the menu bar is hidden, move the mouse to the top left corner and it will unhide).
  2. Click “System Preferences,” then click “Sound” (the speaker icon).
  3. If you’re sending audio from the computer to another source, change the output setting appropriately (for example, you might be using the headphones jack to send audio to a mixer).
  4. If you’re bringing audio into the computer from another source, change the input setting appropriately (for example, you might be using an audio interface to record audio from a mixer).
  5. The output volume can vary greatly depending on your setup. I typically set it about halfway on the computer and let the source I’m sending audio to handle additional volume adjustments.
  6. If you’d like to access this menu easily in the future, click “Show volume in menu bar.” This puts a speaker icon in the right of the top menu bar that you can single-click to bring up some quick settings and a link to this preference window.

Changing the Video Settings

  1. Click the Apple icon at the top left on the menu bar (if the menu bar is hidden, move the mouse to the top left corner and it will unhide).
  2. Click “System Preferences,” then click “Displays” (the computer screen icon).
  3. To change the display resolution, click “Scaled” and choose the desired resolution.
  4. If you don’t want the screen to “Automatically adjust brightness” then uncheck this option.
  5. If you have a second screen connected, you can the options for both screens to show up on the current display by clicking “Gather Windows” in the bottom right corner of the window.
  6. If you have a second screen connected, you can turn mirroring on and off by clicking the “Arrangement” tab and (un)checking “Mirror Displays” (note: screen resolutions might have to be adjusted after switching this setting).
Thoughts

Make God Your Resolution

by timnLeave a Comment on Make God Your Resolution

resolutions

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them, behold, the hand of the LORD will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep—a very severe pestilence. And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.” ’ ” Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.”

So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go. (Exodus 9:1-7, NKJV)

Many of us know the Exodus narrative. How God called Moses from birth to deliver the Hebrew people from their slavery in Egypt. How Pharaoh ordered all the male Hebrew babies killed, but Moses’ mother hid Moses in a basket in the river. How Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and rescued him. So, Moses grew up in the Pharaoh’s palace, saw the bondage of his people, killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, fled to the wilderness of Midian, and lived as a shepherd. Then, at Moses’ lowest, God spoke to him through the burning bush, and despite all Moses’ protests, God was adamant that He would deliver the Hebrew people through the leadership of Moses. And here, in this passage, we read how Moses, with Aaron’s help, is waging God’s war against Egypt through the plagues until Pharaoh finally lets the Hebrew people leave.

Tomorrow begins a new year. Many of us are thinking about resolutions. Maybe you want to lose weight, manage your money better, be a better mother, father, sister, brother, friend. Find a job. Get a promotion. Whatever it is, there’s probably something on your heart you’d like to see happen in the New Year. I’d like to suggest one additional resolution for each of us to make.

When God started the plagues in Egypt, they were a sign to Pharaoh about God’s power, an attack against Egypt’s God’s that would ultimately provoke Pharaoh to let the Hebrew people leave Egypt. But with some of the plagues, like the flies and the livestock, God adds another element: a difference between His people and Egypt.

Spiritually, we can look at Egypt as a picture of the world and the Hebrew people as a picture of the church. As believers, we live in this world, working alongside believers and unbelievers, providing for our households and improving our communities. But even though we live in and work among the world, God has called us to come out from the world, to be different—to come and worship Him.

Our worship offends the world because our world doesn’t understand God. But God doesn’t call us to change this world by Christianizing governments, arguing with skeptics, or slaughtering unbelievers. God instructs us to go and make disciples. He commands us to love Him and others with our whole being and to show that love by our actions toward others. And He describes those acts of love as being light in a dark place, salt to preserve the world (Matt 5:13-16).

As we begin this new year, I want to encourage you to let God’s invitation to His people—to come and worship—be your invitation as well. God wants to make a difference between you and the world, bringing His light into this dark world through you. But He makes that difference by changing your heart and renewing your mind (Rom 12:2). How does He do that? By His Spirit, through prayer, through the Word, through fellowship with believers, and through circumstances, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, as you yield your heart to His presence in your life.

Let God change your life. Let Him make a difference between you and the world. Let God bring His light into this world through you. Let God be your resolution this new year.