Skip to content
Butter
Log in Start free
TEMPLATES · ANNOUNCEMENT EMAIL

Church announcement email templates.

Three announcement emails to copy: one thing that needs its own email, the weekly roundup, and the change nobody wants to send. Fill in the brackets and send.

WHEN ONE THING NEEDS ITS OWN EMAIL

The single announcement

For sign-ups with a deadline, a new study, or anything people have to act on.

Subject Fall study sign-ups close Sunday

Hi [First name], Our fall study starts [Wednesday, October 14]: eight weeks in [Philippians], [Wednesday nights at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall]. It’s for anyone who wants to read a book of the Bible slowly with other people. You don’t need to have done a study before, and childcare is [available for kids under 5]. Sign-ups close [this Sunday] so we can order books: [Sign-up link] Questions? Reply to this email. [Your name]
EVERY WEEK

The weekly announcements

Send a day or two before Sunday, so everything in it is still ahead.

Subject This week: [first thing], [second thing], [third thing]

Hi [First name], Here’s what’s happening at [Church name] this week. [Fall study sign-ups close Sunday] [Eight weeks in Philippians, Wednesdays at 7:00.] [Sign up] [Work Day, Saturday at 8:00 AM] [Bring gloves. Coffee and donuts at 7:45 in the north lot.] [RSVP] [Worship Night, Friday at 7:00 PM] [An hour of singing together in the Main Hall.] [Missed Sunday?] [Listen to "Confession and Renewal" from Nehemiah 9.] [Listen] See you Sunday, [Your name]
WHEN PLANS CHANGE

The service change or cancellation

Send as early as you can. Put the change in the subject line.

Subject Sunday services moved online this week

Hi [First name], Because of [the ice on the roads], we’re [not meeting in person] this Sunday, [January 18]. Instead, [join us online at 10:00 AM: Livestream link]. [Kids ministry and the Newcomers Lunch are canceled.] [Wednesday groups will meet as usual.] We’ll send another note if anything changes. Stay safe and warm. [Your name]

Announcements, designed

The roundup is easier to scan as sections than as paragraphs. In Butter, a featured announcement gets a photo and a button, and the smaller items sit in a list underneath.

See all 21 sections or five full newsletter examples.

Fall study sign-upsEight weeks in Philippians, starting the 14th. Sign up
Join a volunteer team Parking teamRain or shine, 8:15 to 9:15. Guest servicesHelp people find where they’re going. Welcome teamFirst face at the door.

Before you send

Lead with the deadline. If something closes Sunday, say so in the subject line. A date is the most useful thing you can put there.
One featured, the rest listed. When everything gets a photo, nothing stands out. Pick the one thing with a deadline and let the rest be a line each.
Every item gets an action. A button or a link to sign up, RSVP, or listen. If there is nothing to do, it may not need announcing.
Say the change plainly. For a cancellation, the subject line is the message. Nobody should have to open the email to learn church is canceled.

FAQs

If yours is not here, email us at support@butterhq.com.

What should a church announcement email include?

What it is, who it is for, when and where, and the one thing to do next, with a deadline if there is one. Then a way to ask questions, which is usually just replying.

How many announcements should go in one email?

One featured, and three or four short ones under it. If you have more than that, some of them belong in next week’s email or on a slide on Sunday.

Should announcements go in the weekly email or their own?

Most belong in the weekly email. Give something its own email when it is urgent, like a cancellation, or when it needs a decision from people by a date.

How do I announce that church is canceled?

Put it in the subject line, send it as early as you can, and say what to do instead. Repeat it wherever else your church posts, since not everyone checks email on a Sunday morning.

More templates: visitor welcome emails, event emails, and giving emails.

Send this week’s announcements in Butter.

Ready-made sections for announcements, events, and sermons. Free for 14 days.

Start a free 14-day trial