There are these little 8.5 x 5.5 pieces of paper they refer to as Church Bulletins that get passed out each week in some denominations. Some beaming bulletin passer-outer hands you one as you enter. The contents are really just about as predictable as the Scripture imprinted on landscape on the front. There are no polling statistics, but a church bulletins, communion, and all that friend of my editor says most churches now use their own office equipment to create their own bulletins - I'm pretty sure he blames Microsoft Word not God's Word for that. He guesses 20% of US churches regularly pass out weekly Church Bulletins. Church denomination and age seem to make some more likely to use them than others.
Special Services With All the Trimmings
At some churches you can only expect to see Christmas or Easter bulletins, and in fairness those are usually the best attended. I probably side with the special use crowd. Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving, and We Will Remember 9/11 for Memorial Day deserve bulletins; the jury is still out on Earth Day. We all favor bulletins for Billy's mom, because that dull pew pocket pencil guarantees little Billy will happily scroll cars and trucks for most of the sermon. I'd kill a tree for that.
Many somewhat-religious-but-not-totally-holy people question these little folders. They're attractive, and just as legitimate a reason to kill large pines as the Chicago Tribune, but I say limit the size to the useful content - maybe 4x6 inches. Let's face it the phone and the church and pastor's names haven't changed in 3 decades. The organ player will be an organ donor before we forget her name. Give me song details. Show play times like CDs, and then I'd know if a bathroom break fits between Amazing Grace and Holy, Holy, Holy.
Buy 'Em Cheap!
Most churches can just announce things. Churches can probably get these online. If there's gerbil food on the net, somewhere there must be discount church bulletins. I could worship without them, but in deference to my editor's friend's livelihood I am willing to concede their usage so long as someone finds a way to dump the useless; but add the song details, and maybe the phone number of the cute new pianist.
Special Services With All the Trimmings
At some churches you can only expect to see Christmas or Easter bulletins, and in fairness those are usually the best attended. I probably side with the special use crowd. Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving, and We Will Remember 9/11 for Memorial Day deserve bulletins; the jury is still out on Earth Day. We all favor bulletins for Billy's mom, because that dull pew pocket pencil guarantees little Billy will happily scroll cars and trucks for most of the sermon. I'd kill a tree for that.
Many somewhat-religious-but-not-totally-holy people question these little folders. They're attractive, and just as legitimate a reason to kill large pines as the Chicago Tribune, but I say limit the size to the useful content - maybe 4x6 inches. Let's face it the phone and the church and pastor's names haven't changed in 3 decades. The organ player will be an organ donor before we forget her name. Give me song details. Show play times like CDs, and then I'd know if a bathroom break fits between Amazing Grace and Holy, Holy, Holy.
Buy 'Em Cheap!
Most churches can just announce things. Churches can probably get these online. If there's gerbil food on the net, somewhere there must be discount church bulletins. I could worship without them, but in deference to my editor's friend's livelihood I am willing to concede their usage so long as someone finds a way to dump the useless; but add the song details, and maybe the phone number of the cute new pianist.
About the Author:
A few minutes with my good friends Yahoo, Google and Bing and you should find way more than you could possibly need. I've seen them up to 50% off on several quality Christian Bookstores. As always, be blessed, and Godspeed!