Online Worship

Welcome, Webstream Worshiper! Here, you’ll find answers to common technical questions. You can also learn how to start a house church, and read posts from our online ministers.

When Worlds Collide

Filed Under (Online Worship) by Dana Kobosky on 30-07-2008

If you were a fan of the show Seinfeld you may remember the episode where George did not want his girlfriend to meet his friends. He wanted to keep “Independent George” and “Relationship George” separate because they were too different and his theory was that if they met, one of the Georges would have to cease to exist! He was afraid of what would happen if his “worlds” collided.
I have been guilty at times of having two worlds when it comes to “church life” and “regular life”. It can be all too easy to keep church as that place we go to once a week while the rest of life is what we get so caught up in and happens everywhere else. However, I know that is not what God wants from us. He wants church and our relationship with Him to extend beyond the walls of the sanctuary. That is one place where web worship is such an effective tool.
During my travels around the country visiting with Northlanders who worship via internet I have seen that web worship tends to erase that line that I too often put between church and everything else. It is a truly amazing thing! It’s difficult to separate home life and your worship life when the place that you worship every week is in your living room! I worshiped with one family in their living room where their kids danced in the middle of the floor during the “sanctuary” song. They were not dancing because they were bored or restless. They danced out of a sense of joy and praise to God! Another family I met with all piled on the big king sized bed together for worship. Kids snuggled contently under covers with mom and dad sitting beside them. Singing, praying, learning and growing in God as a family. What a great way for kids to see that God and the opportunity to worship Him exists everywhere! I have talked with people who invite extended family and neighbors over for worship, people who worship at Starbucks, people who tune into worship at work and the list goes on!
I believe very much in corporate worship and there is something special about worshiping with a room full of my church family. I love attending services at Northland in person and I do miss it terribly. However, there is something unique and special in its own right about web worship. For me, it is one of many places where I can see worlds collide and I am blessed to be a witness to it. How awesome!


Traveling web worship

Filed Under (Online Worship) by Dana Kobosky on 10-07-2008

If you have ever attended a worship service at Northland you know that they always take a moment to welcome the people who are worshiping on the web. Have you ever wondered who those people are? Do you wonder how they found out about web worship or why they choose to worship on line? Well, me too! That’s why I am taking a little time to drive around the country and meet them. For a few months now I have been meeting with fellow “Northlanders” across the country and sharing in their worship experience with them. What an amazing experience it has been so far!
All of the people I have met with so far have welcomed me into their homes and have graciously shared their worship experience and their stories with me. Along the way I hope to share a little bit about them with you through blogs and video. I think that you will find that the online worship is a very unique ministry that Northland offers and that the web community is very much an active part of our growing Northland family!


Father’s Day and online worship

Filed Under (Online Worship) by Nathan Clark on 13-06-2008

This Sunday I’ll be the online minister during the 11a service. I was initially reticent to serve on Father’s Day, because I didn’t want to impede any plans my wife and kids were going to make. But over the last week I realized that my ministry is a huge part of my parenting. Usually when I’m the online minister I’m at my home. Often my kids are nearby and almost without fail they’ll come over and watch for a time. They ask me questions about what I’m doing and who the different people online are. (They only ask about people with profile photos, so if you haven’t uploaded one you should!)

I expect as they grow up, witnessing their parents in ministry will continue to be a critical part of my care and witness to them. The more I thought about it, the more I realized ministering to others around my kids is one of the most important parts of my fatherhood.

Plus I really love connecting with believers from all over the world. So join me on Father’s Day at 11a (EST) for worship. Don’t forget to sign in a few minutes early and upload a photo - my kids can’t wait to see you!


I’m Having Problems Connecting. What do I do?

Filed Under (FAQs, Online Worship) by Patrick Conway on 06-06-2008

We’re so sorry that you’re having trouble connecting to Northland’s InSite worship experience! Here are some simple suggestions that may help you to fix any problems you may be experiencing.

  • InSite uses the Adobe Flash player version 8 or higher. Try visiting www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer and updating to the latest player.
  • Make sure you are not doing anything else on the Internet when you are connecting to InSite. Check to see if other computers in your home are surfing the Web as this may impact your connection.
  • Try quitting your Web browser and then re-entering InSite. This will refresh your connection.
  • If you are using a wireless connection, try connecting directly to your cable/DSL modem with an ethernet cable.

Northland’s webstream is broadcast at various speeds, ranging from audio only (which is the lowest setting) to high.

When you first sign in to InSite, you are automatically logged in at the “medium” setting. If you are having video problems, try changing your settings to low, and then to audio only. These controls are located near the lower-right-hand corner of InSite’s video window.

Remember, watching live video on the Web requires lots of bandwidth. If the video is not playing, or it “freezes” from time to time, it may be that your connection to the Internet is not fast enough.

Not sure how fast the connection is at your site? You can test your download speed by visiting: speedtest.northlandchurch.net.

So exactly how fast does your download speed need to be to support each setting?

* High - Over 1M (1000 kbps or more)
* Medium - Over 600 kbps
* Low - Over 256 kbps
Audio Only - Over 128 kbps

If you have any questions or comments about your InSite experience, please email Patrick.Conway@northlandchurch.net.


My video is choppy and eventually freezes. What do I do?

Filed Under (FAQs) by Patrick Conway on 06-06-2008

Often, this is the result of low bandwidth or a spotty wireless connection (if you are surfing the Web on a laptop).

1. First, check your bandwidth by clicking here. For optimal results, you need a connection equal to or greater than 1.5 mbps.

2. Try switching from “HIGH BANDWIDTH” to “MEDIUM” or “LOW.”

3. If you are on a wireless network, try unplugging the ethernet cable (looks like a big phone jack) from your wireless router and plugging it directly into your laptop (be sure the other end is still plugged into your cable modem). Sometimes, this provides a more stable connection and will clear up the problem.


I do not get the video or I have a black screen. What do I do?

Filed Under (FAQs) by Patrick Conway on 06-06-2008

1. Click on “Leave Worship” and then log back in

2. If you’re still having problems, check your bandwidth by clicking here. For optimal results, you need a connection equal to or greater than 1.5 mbps.

3. If you are on a wireless network, try unplugging the ethernet cable (looks like a big phone jack) from your wireless router and plugging it directly into your laptop (be sure the other end is still plugged into your cable modem). Sometimes, this provides a more stable connection and will clear up the problem.


Worship Now!

Filed Under (Online Worship, Worship Now!) by Robert Andrescik on 05-06-2008

Worship online during any of our five, identical weekend services, as follows (all times are Eastern Standard): 

Saturdays 5 p.m. 
Sundays 9, 11 a.m.; 6 p.m. 
Mondays 7 p.m. 

Log on to the NEW InSite webstream! 
(High-speed internet connection required. Test your connection speed here.) 

Watch a short video tutorial 

View the previous version, which is VIDEO-ONLY

 


How do I chat with someone?

Filed Under (FAQs) by Patrick Conway on 05-06-2008

It’s easy! Simply scroll through the list of worshipers at the bottom of your screen (under “Worshiping Now”). Then, just double click on their picture (also referred to as an online “avatar”). Chat away!

To add someone to your list of “My Favorites,” select a picture by clicking once on it. Click on “Add to Favorites.” That person will be sent a request to be added to your list of favorites. If that person accepts your invitation to be added, then they are added to your list of “My Favorites.”


How do I watch past services?

Filed Under (FAQs) by Patrick Conway on 05-06-2008

You can access Northland’s FREE online sermon archives (music not included) by clicking here. Individual DVDs, CDs, tapes of the worship services (music included) are available for home delivery. Subscriptions are available in 3-, 6- or 12-month installments. Services may also be purchased individually. To order, contact Network Sound at 407-834-8555 or by email.

We’re working on online, “On-Demand” worship services, which will allow you to participate in the entire service at the time of your choosing! Please be praying as we work on this, and sign up for our email newsletter for future announcements.


My user ID and password aren’t working. How do I reset them?

Filed Under (FAQs) by Patrick Conway on 05-06-2008

1. Log in here.

2. Click on “Forgot User ID Or Password?”

3. Enter your email address. (Please be sure to enter the address you used when you signed up for InSite.) Then, click on “Get My Security Question.”

4. Answer the security question. Your login ID and password will be sent to you via email. Remember, you can change your password in the “Edit Profile” section after logging in.

If you try the steps above but still are not successful, then click here to email to Northland’s tech support team. Please allow 24 hours for a response.