Free Program Templates

What goes in a church bulletin

A church bulletin is the handout that walks the congregation through the service. At its core it is an order of worship: the prelude, call to worship, hymns, prayers, scripture readings, the sermon title and the benediction, each with the person leading it. Around that list most churches add the week's announcements, a sermon-notes area, giving information and the church's address and phone number. The Church Program and Church Bulletin styles cover both approaches — a single column with an announcements box, or a two-column bulletin with ruled lines for notes on the right.

Keep the order of worship to one line per element and name the leader after a dash, for example "Scripture Reading – Elder Ruth Alvarez". Hymn titles can be quoted in the same line. If you print a bulletin every week, save the page as a PDF once and only change the lines that differ.

How to structure a funeral or memorial program

A funeral program does two things: it guides guests through the service, and it becomes a keepsake. Start with the honoree's full name, the "sunrise" and "sunset" dates, and a short line such as "In Loving Memory" or "A Celebration of Life". Below that give the service details — the chapel, church or venue, the date and the time. The order of service follows: processional, opening prayer, hymns or musical selections, scripture readings, the eulogy and reflections, a closing prayer and the recessional, each with the person reading or performing.

Many families add a brief obituary summary, the names of pallbearers and honorary pallbearers, a note about the reception or repast, and an acknowledgement thanking guests for their support. The Funeral Program style places a scripture or closing message above the footer, where pallbearers and acknowledgements fit well; the Memorial Service style is more restrained, with thin rules and a candle ornament, and suits a non-religious remembrance or a celebration of life.

Wedding and event programs

A wedding ceremony program lists the couple's names, the date and venue, the order of ceremony (processional, welcome, readings, vows, rings, pronouncement and recessional) and the wedding party. In the Wedding Program style the order of ceremony comes from the closing-message box, one step per line, and the wedding party from the order-of-service box as "Role – Name" so the template can lay it out in two columns.

For conferences, recitals, graduations and award nights the Event Program style turns each "Time – Session – Speaker" line into a row of a schedule table under a bold accent header. Use the notes box for Wi-Fi details, parking or a thank-you to sponsors.

Printing tips

Every program is sized for a single sheet of US letter paper in portrait orientation and keeps all text inside normal printer margins. For a keepsake, print on 28–32 lb paper or light card stock; for a weekly bulletin, standard copy paper is fine. If you want a booklet feel, fold the sheet in half so the title shows on the front and the order of service opens inside. To print on both sides, print the front, change the text for the back and print the same sheet again. In the print dialog choose "Save as PDF" to send the program to a copy shop or share it by email.