How To Make A Digital Church Bulletin

Remember the days of late Saturday nights fixing typos on printed bulletins, hoping the copier wouldn’t jam again? Thankfully, we’re in a new era. Digital church bulletins are here—and they’re easier (and more effective) than you might think. 

 What is a Digital Church Bulletin?

A digital church bulletin is simply the online version of that trusty paper handout. It includes everything your people need to know—service times, announcements, events, sermon notes, prayer requests—all accessible from their phones, tablets, or laptops.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to create a digital church bulletin—from what to include to how to design and share it effortlessly using ChurchTrac. 

Benefits of a Digital Church Bulletin

Switching to a digital bulletin isn’t just a convenience—it’s a smart decision for many churches. One of the biggest benefits is cost savings. You no longer have to worry about the expense of ink, paper, or replacing the copier when it finally gives up.

Another big win is flexibility. Unlike a paper bulletin, you can make changes and updates right up until service time. No need to reprint a stack of corrected versions. And because it’s digital, your bulletin can reach anyone, anywhere in real time. Members who are traveling, sick, or watching online can still stay connected. 

A digital bulletin can also be interactive. You can include links to online giving, RSVP forms for events, or even embed videos or livestreams. 

What to Include in a Digital Bulletin

Keep it simple, but cover the essentials:

• Welcome Message – A short note from the pastor to greet and encourage.
• Order of Service – Songs, scripture readings, sermon title—help people follow along.
• Announcements – Highlight what’s new and what’s coming up.
• Event Info – Include dates, times, event information, and any sign-up details.
• Sermon Notes – Provide an outline or reflection questions.
• Prayer Requests – A space for requests or updates on ongoing needs.
• Contact Info – Make sure folks can reach the right ministry leaders.
• Engagement Links – Add buttons for online giving, RSVP forms, or connect cards. 

How to Design a Good-Looking Digital Bulletin 

Design matters, but don’t overcomplicate it. Start with a template if you're not sure where to begin. There are free tools like Canva, or you can build it directly in your ChMS, like ChurchTrac!

Keep your fonts readable and your layout clean. Stick to your church’s color palette and visual style so the bulletin feels familiar and welcoming.

Always make sure your digital bulletin is mobile-friendly. Most people will be viewing it on their phones, so test it before you send it out. 

Pro Tip: For those who don’t have reliable internet access, consider offering a downloadable PDF or printing a few copies each week. 

How ChurchTrac Makes It Easy

This whole process might sound like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be. ChurchTrac makes creating, updating, and sharing digital bulletins simple—because it’s all built into the platform you’re already using. 

1. Create Your Bulletin in Church Connect 

With ChurchTrac, you can create your bulletin using the Church Connect feature. From there, either choose one of the pre-made templates or start with a blank layout using our simple drag and drop tool. 

2. Add Your Content 

Then add your content, things like upcoming events, announcements, or sermon notes. Since the information is already stored in ChurchTrac, you can easily pull it into your bulletin without retyping.

3. Customize Your Design 

Next, customize the design. Adjust fonts, colors, and layout to match your church’s branding. Then, preview the bulletin on both desktop and mobile to make sure everything looks good. 

4. Publish Your Bulletin

When you're ready to publish, just post it to your Church Connect page. You can control who sees it and even limit access to sensitive information like prayer requests. And if anything changes at the last minute, no worries—you can make real-time updates, and it’s live instantly.

How to Share Your Bulletin

Now that your bulletin looks great and has all the right info, it’s time to get it into your members’ hands—or rather, onto their screens.

Email or text is still the easiest way to distribute your bulletin. You can schedule it to go out before the weekend or right before service starts. 

Your church website is another go-to spot. Keep it updated weekly so people know where to find the latest version.

If your church has an app, add your bulletin there too. Some churches even highlight a section in their app just for announcements and bulletins.

And during the service, display a QR code on the screen or near the entrance. Members can scan it with their phone and instantly open the bulletin.

Bonus: Don’t forget about your social media channels. A quick post with a link to the bulletin—or even just a few highlights—can help catch the attention of members who scroll before service starts. Follow us on social media for more tips on church communication here!

Tips to Make Your Digital Bulletin Even Better

• Keep It Focused – Highlight just the most important things.
• Update Often – Refresh the content weekly or as needed.
• Encourage Engagement – Include RSVP links, sign-up forms, or quick polls.
• Ask for Feedback – What do your congregants like? What’s missing?
• Be Secure – Use privacy settings for sensitive info like prayer requests.

Check out our other article on "When Good Church Bulletins Go Bad" to avoid common pitfalls. 

Bringing Your Digital Bulletin All Together 

Going digital doesn’t mean losing the personal touch. In fact, a well-crafted digital bulletin can help your church communicate more clearly, save time, and stay connected—even during the busiest seasons.

With ChurchTrac, the process is streamlined and affordable. From building your bulletin to sharing it with your church family and visitors, everything you need is already at your fingertips.

If you're ready to ditch the printer and simplify your Sunday mornings, now’s the perfect time to start. Try ChurchTrac and see just how easy it is to create a digital bulletin that works for your church and your people.