Announcement Hub

Every ministry matters. Here is how the word gets out.

The Sunday microphone is a wonderful thing, but it only has three seats. Your announcement has a lot more places to sit, and this page explains where.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. 1 Corinthians 12:21–22, ESV

Why we are changing things

Less microphone, more clarity

Most of us have heard a friend say, “I didn’t even know that was happening!” after six straight weeks of announcements. That is not because nobody cared. It is because when everything is announced the same way, nothing stands out. So we are trying something new, and it starts with a few honest house rules.

Awareness is not interest

Hearing about something is step one. We want to help people take the next step.

Sunday is not the savior

A microphone does not make something matter. Plenty of vital work never touches it.

The more we announce, the less we are heard

A famous jam study found shoppers far more likely to buy from a small display than from twenty-four flavors. Choices can crowd out decisions.

One destination for every promo

Every announcement points to the same place for details, so nobody has to hunt.

The Sunday standard

Three seats on the platform

In a normal service we aim for no more than three stage announcements. Each one gets a story and a single next step.

Sunday mic time

The platform

Everyone else has a seat somewhere else:

WebsiteChurch CenterWeekly bulletinWeekly emailSunday slidesDirect to the people it is for

The formula: one story or meaningful reason to care, plus one clear next step.

Four levels

Where will my announcement go?

Every request gets a level. A level describes who needs to hear something. It says nothing about how important a ministry is.

Church-wide priorities

Things most of the congregation (think 80%) needs to hear. Examples: VBS, Fall Fest, holiday services.

Where it goes: a Sunday stage seat is considered, plus broad communication everywhere else.

Core discipleship steps

Ways to connect, grow, serve, or give. Examples: giving, Life Groups, baptisms.

Where it goes: recurring invitations, supported by real stories from our church family.

Children, students, and families

Opportunities mainly for these audiences. Examples: Kids, Youth, Young Adults.

Where it goes: direct communication to families, with wider promotion when it makes sense.

Specific ministries and interests

Opportunities for a defined group. Examples: Men’s, Women’s, Missions, Prayer, Outreach, Date Night.

Where it goes: targeted communication to the people most likely to join, with a complete listing in our central information home.

Not getting a Sunday stage announcement does not mean a ministry is unimportant. It means we need a communication plan that fits the people it is for. Every request gets a reply and a plan.

Our weekly rhythm

Submit, check, plan, announce

Requests are due on Monday. That gives us the week to check details, choose the right channels, and get the wording right. Late requests are still welcome. They just may land in a later week.

MondayRequests are due

TuesdayDetails checked, levels and channels chosen

WednesdayCentral listings updated, drafts prepared

ThursdayFinal wording, slides, and links checked

SundayAnnouncements delivered

The fine print, but friendly

What does not count as a request

We love creativity, and we love you. But so that nothing slips through the cracks, these do not count as an announcement request:

Smoke signalsCarrier pigeonHallway conversationsA quick word on the way out the doorA very loud whisper in the foyer“I told someone who knows someone”

Hallway conversations are a gift, and we hope they never stop. They just cannot hold a date, a time, a location, and a sign-up link all at once. After we chat, please send the form below so the details stay accurate and the whole team can see them.

Your turn

Submit an announcement

Answer these questions as best you can. A real person will read every request and reply. Nothing here is a test, and nobody has to get the level right on the first try.

All questions are required.

Ministry or team

Your name

Phone numberSo we can reach you with questions

Email addressWe will send our reply here

Title of the opportunity

Who is this for?

Nearly everyone at New HarmonySomething most of the congregation needs to hear Anyone ready to connect, grow, serve, or giveA core discipleship step Children, students, or familiesKids, Youth, Young Adults A particular group or interestMen’s, Women’s, Missions, Prayer, Outreach, Date Night, and so on

Why does it matter?Even a sentence or two helps. If you have a short story, even better.

What do we want someone to do?One main action works best. Example: “Sign up by Friday.”

Date, time, and location

Cost and deadlineWrite “None” if there is no cost or deadline

Where can people find details or sign up?A link, or write “None yet”

Suggested story or person to featureWrite “None” if you do not have one. Please check with anyone you name before suggesting them.

Need a hand?

Not a computer person? No problem.

Call the office

573-729-5991

Office hours are Monday through Thursday. Tell us about your announcement and we will fill out the request with you.

Not sure which level?

Pick your best guess. The team makes the final call and will explain it, so you never have to wonder what happened to your request.