September 13, 2004

Point of Truth, the Missouri Synods half-hour video worship program, premieres Sept. 14 and 15 on FaithStreams, a new service offering a library of faith-based video on the Internet.

The Point of Truth shows, shot between March 2002 and June 2004, have all previously aired on the satellite Church Channel. The first two programs to be video streamed by FaithStreams - one on Sept. 14 and 15, and the other on Sept. 21 and 22 - feature sermons by Rev. Edward Wessling of Wickenburg, Ariz., and Synod President Gerald Kieschnick, respectively.

The video-streamed programs will be available at http://www.faithstreams.com at the following times, in these time zones:

. Pacific Time: Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 4:30 a.m.;

. Central: Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 12:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.; and

. Eastern: Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday at 1:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Those overseas may access the programs in their corresponding time zones.

FaithStreams, sponsored by Faith and Values Media, provides its services through live streaming, Video on Demand (VOD) and Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD).

Rev. Ardon Albrecht, producer/director of Point of Truth, said that 36 of its programs have been submitted to FaithStreams for streaming on a weekly basis.

Point of Truth is produced for the Synod through the LCMS Board for Communication Services.

Albrecht said that all of FaithStreams programming will be available as Video on Demand via a media-resolution stream suitable for 56K dial-up users. He said that those with either dial-up or broadband Internet access can get streaming and Video on Demand at no charge.

Albrecht also said that viewers may receive a higher quality image by registering and subscribing for a high-resolution stream suitable for broadband (DSL or cable).

He said that FaithStreams is offering an introductory annual subscription rate of $42.92 for its SVOD feature - about the cost of one month of cable service or one month of high-speed Internet access.

Albrecht quoted a recent e-mail from FaithStreams: When FaithStreams is live, you will be able to search for programs by title, theme or program provider, and with a free trial subscription youll be able to play anything in the entire library on-demand, any time you want.

The e-mail said that FaithStreams is not just a video library but also a one-stop shop for topics ranging from arts and culture, to rituals and traditions, to workplace issues. It is a comprehensive site offering news, movie reviews, challenge and support for your personal faith, newsletters forums, links to pages about Faith and Values Media programming on Hallmark, and much, much more.

Albrecht said there is no commitment for those who register.

Registering allows subscribers to be immediately recognized by the FaithStreams software and saves them time each time they log on, he said.

Albrecht said FaithStreams subscribers will be able to request alerts for programs that interest them and that they will automatically receive a program guide when they register.

For more information about FaithStreams, e-mail info@faithstreams.com. For more information about Point of Truth, contact Albrecht at aalbrecht@aalweb.net.

LCMS News