How to Design a Church Program
A church program is often one of the first tangible pieces of information a person receives when visiting for the first time. It provides an abbreviated overview of schedules, upcoming events and contact information. The key is to keep it informative yet succinct. It's a delicate balance, since the temptation is often to communicate a wealth of information into such a small space. You can create a program that will give attendants the information they need without overdoing it.
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Instructions
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Keep the front page simple. The church logo, if you have one, can take up as much as half the front page. Below it, a simple welcoming announcement and the day's schedule will suffice. Be sure to include the service times for both adults and children. If your church offers nursery, state the cutoff ages. For instance, six weeks through age two. Follow with the class times and ages for preschool and children's church services. Make a special note if nursery and children's classes are postponed until after the music portion of the service.
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Offer a brief statement of beliefs inside the cover. In this statement, provide an explanation for observances and practices that are unique to your particular denomination or if the general public may not be familiar with them. This may include the use of flags and banners, weekly communion, or lifting of hands during the regular services. Back these explanations with Scripture references.
Below this portion, insert special changes to the schedule. It can include special music, baptisms, or other events that will interrupt the normal flow. Make a note of any events immediately following the service, such as a potluck dinner for members and guests. Also, don't forget to outline children's themes to inform parents of what their children are learning.
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Include a separate insert for sermon notes. Another popular idea is to include bulletin inserts for later reading. These may be mini-sermons, devotions or testimonies from various church members.
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List upcoming events on the third page. Welcome new members and announce birthdays, engagements, wedding dates and anniversaries. News from abroad, if the church supports any outreach programs, is always welcomed reading to keep members abreast of what their missionaries are experiencing. At the bottom of the page, ask for help if there is a particular need for nursery workers, yard work or performers along with the contact person for each position.
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Keep the back page brief and to the point. The back page can include a short financial overview and attendance record. For example: Last week's tithes, offerings and attendance followed by monthly totals and year-to-date tithes and offerings. Below this, be sure to inform church workers of who is on the following week's schedule such as ushers, music team, teachers, and greeters. Finally, offer staff contact information as well as office hours. Don't forget to add your church website.
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