Limited Promotional License [UPDATED]

Mar 17, 2020 2:45:00 PM

[UPDATED - MAY 18, 2020]

With restrictions on sheltering in place being lifted across the country, Concordia Publishing House has announced that the Lutheran Service Builder Limited Promotional License will end on June 30, 2020. If you are using this license and would like to subscribe after the expiration date, please contact a software consultant today at softwaresales@cts.cph.org or (800) 325-2399.

[UPDATED - APRIL 2, 2020]

Concordia Publishing has announced that we have extended the Lutheran Service Builder Limited Promotional License until the end of sheltering in place.

Additionally, upon further review  of our license agreements with the copyright holders, Concordia Publishing House has determined that during this time of sheltering in place, we can allow churches that subscribe to our licenses to print the text of the hymns from Lutheran Service Book in their live streaming and recorded videos and podcasts, not just the public domain and CPH owned hymns. However, please note this does not include the nine excluded hymns:

  • 356—The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
  • 462—All the Earth with Joy Is Sounding
  • 550 and 550a—Lamb of God
  • 712—Seek Ye First
  • 806 and 806a—Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
  • 970 and 970a—Jesus, Name above all Names
  • 971—There is a Redeemer
  • 973 and 973a—Thy Word Is a Lamp
  • 978—How Majestic Is Your Name

[ORIGINAL POST - MARCH 17, 2020]

Concordia Publishing House has announced that during this unprecedented national crisis, we will be offering congregations that are not currently subscribing to Lutheran Service Builder and the related licenses access to use those resources at no charge through April 15, 2020 with a promotional license. 

During that time period, CPH is allowing congregations to send out their service bulletins containing CPH copyrighted resources in a mass email to their congregation, or if more feasible, post it on their website. Included in this is a streaming license which gives authorization to stream worship services online.

This will allow pastors to encourage their members at home to actually participate in these streamed services as opposed to merely being a spectator. With this limited promotional license, there are recommendations and exceptions, which are outlined below as well as in this video.

Recommended Use

CPH recommends doing the following:

  1. Create an order of service in Lutheran Service Builder.
  2. Export the bulletin and save as a PDF.
  3. Email the PDF to your members.
  4. Stream your service online.
  5. Embed the stream on your church website.

Exceptions

There are several exceptions that are important to keep in mind.

  • You may not show copyrighted text on your videos. Only the audio of these services and hymns is allowed to be streamed.
  • The PDF of your bulletin should be emailed to members. It may be posted on your website but cannot be posted on social media.
  • Concordia Organist, which is the ability to export audio files as a playlist, is not included in the limited promotional license.
  • You must take down the videos and bulletins after your subscription ends (April 15, 2020 for limited promotional license).
  • CPH can only give permission to print or stream those elements of the service that are either CPH copyrighted or for which we have received permission from the copyright holders in Lutheran Service Book. The following hymns are not available for streaming:
    • 356—The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
    • 462—All the Earth with Joy Is Sounding
    • 550 and 550a—Lamb of God
    • 712—Seek Ye First
    • 806 and 806a—Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
    • 970 and 970a—Jesus, Name above all Names
    • 971—There is a Redeemer
    • 973 and 973a—Thy Word Is a Lamp
    • 978—How Majestic Is Your Name

To get started with your free limited promotional license, visit LutheranServiceBuilder.com.

Start Today »


For assistance with the software, please contact Concordia Technology Solutions Software Support at support@cts.cph.org or (800) 346-6120.

Congregations can contact our copyrights department at copyrights@cph.org or (800) 325-0191 for more information.
Peter Frank

Written by Peter Frank

Peter Frank is full-time student at Concordia Seminary who also serves part-time at Concordia Publishing House as the Digital Product Owner. His responsibilities include leading Concordia Technology Solutions (CTS), the church management software division. A graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin, his background in theology, business, and technology gives him a unique perspective on technology in the church. He is married and the father of two young children.

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