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I receive newsletters from a few of the churches I visit, a welcome and appreciated gesture. Amazing Grace Lutheran Church (AGLC) has been putting smiles on my face, for some time, with their pre-Sunday service newsletter. Last week’s version was titled “Commemorating a Harlot? at AGLC this Sunday”. Masthead of AGLC Newsletter

The special newsletters are a collaborative effort between Pastor Martin Dasler, and Supply Clergy Gary Steele. Designed as a teaser for the Sunday service, and as a briefer for those unable to attend, the catchy grabber headlines puts smiles on my face, often piquing my curiosity just enough to draw me into a service. I’m surprised more churches don’t use this extremely effective technique. Most churches announce Sunday services, even special ones, in long and boring text-based screeds. Newsletter Portion Referring to Mary Magdalene

Take a look at Amazing Grace’s well-done and provocative pre-Sunday newsletter mentioned above by clicking here. I like the strong use of graphics and spare text. The headlines are usually quite strong and "grabbers". There is a strong focus on the lectionary Lutherans use in their Sunday liturgical flow. The sub-header in the masthead (illustrated above), “Pentacost +8”, refers to last Sunday being the 8th Sunday after Pentacost. The flowing illustration at the top is a contemporary representation of the Holy Spirit descending as tongues of fire. Marvelous!Newsletter Portion - Closing

Last summer Amazing Grace published a number of these special teaser newsletters which you can view by clicking on their titles below. Enjoy!

Good Water – Bad Water
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
Baby's and Butterflies: Small Actions – BIG Consequences
The Gospel According to the Berenstain Bears
Falling Up- Failing Your Way to Success
Bread 4 the World- Salmon 4 the Soul
It's Ketchup and Mustard Sunday
Holy Staircases, Aztecs and Chickweed

Amazing Grace Lutheran is a consistent church offering warm greetings, genuine hospitality, music for worship and not entertainment, and well-delivered sermons. Thanks Amazing Grace for amusing, enlightening, and informing your congregation and the public with this excellent newsletter. You are a fortunate congregation. We look forward to seeing more of your unique ways of communicating!