Like many churches the one my family and I attend, First United Methodist, publishes a weekly bulletin to let people know what's happening within the church. While sitting in church Sunday I remembered an email a friend sent me recently listing some real church bulletin bloopers that made me chuckle.

Before anyone starts penning an email or letter in defense of their church, let me point out that none of the bloopers appeared in our church's bulletin, nor were any published in any local church's bulletin; at least that I know of.

Being in the newspaper business I can sympathize with the authors of these since there's nothing more embarrassing than making a mistake in print and then having several hundred if not thousand people critique you on it. It's a very humbling experience to say the least.

Here's hoping your church's bulletin editors are a little more attentive than those who made these mistakes:

n The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

n Ladies Bible study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

n The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

n Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. Please use the back door.

n The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, &#8220Break Forth Into Joy.”

n A songfest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.

n Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

n The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

n Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

n The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Adams.

n Tuesday at 4 p.m. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

n A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

n At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be &#8220What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

n Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

n Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan who are preparing for the girth of their first child.

n The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: &#8220I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.”

n Our next song is &#8220Angels We Have Heard Get High.”

n Don't let worry kill you, let the church help.

n For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

n This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

n Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Dennis Palmer is publisher of The Greenville Advocate. He can be reached at 383-9302, ext. 125, or by email: dennis.palmer@greenvilleadvocate.com.