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RSS2slide set one
Introduction
Many of these images in this slide set were originally created for alternative worship and used in a multimedia environment combining slide images, video, computer projections and pop music.
However, we think that with a little imagination they can be used in a wide range of worship situations. Rather than follow a narrative, the slides are designed to be used in a variety of ways and so may need a little more thought in advance of being used. It’s worth remembering that sometimes less is more and a single image to focus on can be far more powerful that a confusing barrage of slides.
Included are some ideas of how they might be used singly, together or in combination with other images. However, the most effective results will be when you use the images with your own worship ideas.
In using these images and reading the suggestions it might be helpful to understand our attitude to visual stimulus in worship: We believe that our creator God gave us many creative and sensory gifts, to ignore these in worship is to ignore part of our being and to fail to worship using our whole God-created selves. Therefore, we consider images to be as much a part of worship as the other elements, which might include words, music, dance, ritual actions, aromas, video and meditation. Usually any one part of our worship will be a combination of at least two of these elements.
Using projected images in worship
The alternative worship movement whilst embracing contemporary technology such as digital projectors, lighting and sound has also rediscovered the humble slide projector as a source of providing impressive visuals in worship. Always try to fully integrate images in worship and give them as much thought as you would a sermon - research has proved that it will be the images rather than what you say that people take away from the worship.
Projected images needn’t be confined to a projection screen, this can diminish the impact and give the impression of a slide show rather than the images being an integral part of worship.
Instead, images can be projected large against walls - uneven or decorated walls work just as well, onto the ceiling or onto plain material banners. Large projection areas can be created from kingsize bed sheets and hung from the roof. Such sheets or banners moving in the breeze or gently shaken from below can be particularly effective. Slide images are also ideal for projecting onto people as they dance or perform a mime.
Using multiple images
Often people have old slide projectors hanging about in the attic - ask around and you might be able to borrow several to create a bank of images or a series of slides that ‘move’ across the front of the worship area.
Images can be overlapped or superimposed to emphasise the connection between them or to create impact by overlaying contrasting subject matter.
The images in this slide set work well when used with other - perhaps photographic -slide images or over the top of projected words.
The slides:
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Candle
Symbolising the Holy Spirit, Jesus the light of the world, Christ’s call to us to be light, God as a source of power.
Use in combination with lighting a real candle, combine with cross and dove images to create a trinity metaphor. Use as first image in a darkened church. |
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Chalice Symbolising wine, God as source of life, blood of Christ. My cup overflows… Combine with loaf for communion. With grapes for use with many of Christ’s saying about blood, wine, grapes, vine, vineyard etc. Project onto communion table and the celebrant as wine is brought to the table. | |
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Christ Arms open to receive, to welcome. Ascending, crucified. Use in two stages with cross. First christ then overlay with cross so figure appears crucified. Project onto plain wooden cross. Project sayings of Jesus over the top of image. Use as the first image in an act of worship combined with call/welcome. | |
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Cross
Use as the cross in an environment not normally used for worship. Can be combined with almost any other image. Overlay on nature images to illustrate Christ’s presence in creation. In a small group project from above onto the floor and sit around the image. Icons could be placed on the cross during the worship. |
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Dove
Symbol of the Holy Spirit. Combine with fire at pentecost. Project over a wooden cross. Project onto billowing material to give illusion of motion. |
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Fire
Symbol of Holy Spirit. Hell. Burning desire. Overlay onto photo of bush for Moses encounter with God. Use flickering red/yellow/orange lights onto the projection area - many disco lights have a flicker function. |
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Grapes
Grapes/vine metaphors used by Jesus. Goodness in creation. God the provider. Use in communion context. Use with loaf at Harvest festival to suggest last supper. |
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Hand
Christ’s crucifixion. Sacrifice. Combine with nails for emotional impact. Use with photos of human hands - especially as a series of images ending with this one. |
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Hands
Receiving spirit. Opening up to God. Creative hands. Could be symbol of God’s care for us. Superimpose onto fire for a subtle ambiguous image. All these images are made from torn paper - perhaps worship could include tearing a shape from paper as a part of a celebration of creativity. |
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Lightning
Symbol of the power of God. Creation. God’s anger. Might also work if projected onto the floor as a path of approach to the altar/communion. |
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Loaf
Jesus the bread of life. Communion. Sustenance. Combine with grapes or chalice for communion. |
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Nails
Crucifixion. Suffering. This image will work very powerfully on it’s own, perhaps on Good Friday as the only image in church. Could be included in celebration of communion, especially in run up to Easter. |
