Question #2. I like the news, and would not mind hearing about it, definetly brings in something more current we can relate to when it comes to the outside world. Of course, I am going to be good if I dont hear it at church because I like to read the paper at home as well.

Question #3. Neither good nor bad.

Question #4. I tend to see the scripture reading as a prep for the talk, and I suppose I would feel fine without the prep, or just incorporating the scripture reading into the actual talk. And I could still hear some news.

Hopefully this makes your answer easier to formulate.