“...And the gospel must first be published to all nations...”
(Mark 13:10, KJV)
(Mark 13:10, KJV)
For over 2000 years, Christians have sought to find effective ways to communicate the “good news” of the gospel with those around them. In the earliest days this took the form of in-person, word of mouth communication to and with individuals and groups. But even in these early days, there was always a need to communicate to those who were not directly present. That’s why early evangelists like Paul and Peter wrote letters to express their thoughts and feelings to Christians in churches and places far away – the “Epistles” of our New Testament (books like Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 and 2 Peter) are all examples of this kind of communication.
Much later, Christians in the Middle Ages used stained glass windows in cathedrals to communicate Bible and church stories, ideas, and theology to multitudes who were illiterate. With the Renaissance, however, came a resurgence of literacy, along with the invention of the printing press, allowing for the mass publication of papers, books, and tracts to share news of the gospel. Along with the printing of scripture, churches soon also started printing news of what God was doing in their midst – printed congregational announcements, if you will. By the 20th-century, these “announcement bulletins” morphed into what we today call church “newsletters” to let folks know what was going on in the life of a congregation.
And now, nearly ten years in the 21st-century, we’re about to experience the next stage in this story of gospel and church communication: online newsletters. Most of you probably already know that the July 27th issue is the final church-wide printing of our church’s “Epistle” newsletter, as well as our “Good News” weekly email. Beginning in August, we’ll be communicating primarily through a new weekly electronic-newsletter that not only reflects how most of our culture now processes information, but allows us as a church to be better stewards of our resources.
While we’ll still be mailing the printed newsletter to our homebound members and anyone else who wishes it (just let the office know you want the printed version mailed to you), we hope that this new weekly format will help you stay better connected with the work of Christ here at East Cobb UMC as we go about fulfilling our mission of being “A Mosaic of God’s family... Gathering, Growing, and Going.”
To sign up to receive our new weekly e-newsletter, visit our website and click on the "email signup" link. In the meantime, enjoy this new way to keep in touch with the work of God through our church! And remember, God loves you and I do too!
Much later, Christians in the Middle Ages used stained glass windows in cathedrals to communicate Bible and church stories, ideas, and theology to multitudes who were illiterate. With the Renaissance, however, came a resurgence of literacy, along with the invention of the printing press, allowing for the mass publication of papers, books, and tracts to share news of the gospel. Along with the printing of scripture, churches soon also started printing news of what God was doing in their midst – printed congregational announcements, if you will. By the 20th-century, these “announcement bulletins” morphed into what we today call church “newsletters” to let folks know what was going on in the life of a congregation.
And now, nearly ten years in the 21st-century, we’re about to experience the next stage in this story of gospel and church communication: online newsletters. Most of you probably already know that the July 27th issue is the final church-wide printing of our church’s “Epistle” newsletter, as well as our “Good News” weekly email. Beginning in August, we’ll be communicating primarily through a new weekly electronic-newsletter that not only reflects how most of our culture now processes information, but allows us as a church to be better stewards of our resources.
While we’ll still be mailing the printed newsletter to our homebound members and anyone else who wishes it (just let the office know you want the printed version mailed to you), we hope that this new weekly format will help you stay better connected with the work of Christ here at East Cobb UMC as we go about fulfilling our mission of being “A Mosaic of God’s family... Gathering, Growing, and Going.”
To sign up to receive our new weekly e-newsletter, visit our website and click on the "email signup" link. In the meantime, enjoy this new way to keep in touch with the work of God through our church! And remember, God loves you and I do too!
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