Youth Sunday, step 3 part 2: a participant's bulletin

The participant's bulletin

• The special bulletin for everyone directly involved should include enough detail that no can (easily) get lost, misdirected, forget what they are supposed to say or do. If everyone can see all the instructions, it helps keep things in sync.
• There should be instructions on where people are to stand, sit and speak from.
• Include instructions on when someone is to move, such as from chair to pulpit or from choir loft to lectern, or from group to back to get offering plate. Think through such motion:
  • Can the motion be hidden behind other actions? Major movement of bodies works well during hymns, passing of the peace and offering.
  • Is someone expected to be in two places at once?
  • Is there time to get from place A to place B?
  • Are there chairs enough for everyone expected to sit in one location at one time?
  • Does the pulpit or lectern need a step stool?
  • If wireless mics are being used do any of them need to be passed from one youth to another? And is it possible to do that (one youth in back of sanctuary the other in the front)?
• Include instructions to sound, light, video, and other technicians.
  • Specify what mic is being used at what location for each event
  • When does a video or sound track have to be started and stopped?
  • When are slides changed?
• Except for major pieces (such as the Sermon) include all spoken parts, such as prayers, calls to the offering, introduction to the Lord's Prayer, etc. You should have a copy of the major pieces with you (in case the preacher left their copy in the bathroom just before coming in).

A sample “participant's bulletin” is available on the Documents page of this blog.