Author: SusannahDB

A Prayer for the Week Before VBS!

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VBS (Vacation Bible School) is one of the best weeks of the year. The church is filled with laughter, singing, people of all ages, and so much love. It is also (usually) hot, hot, hot! And someone is going to have a meltdown. It might be a child. It might be the person in charge of ensuring all goes well at VBS!

So as churches prepare for the biggest week of the year, join me in praying for things VBS.

God, it feels like this prayer should come with hand motions or decorations or lemonade as it is a prayer about VBS. Help all of us to remember what is most important is that every person who comes through the church doors needs a reminder that you love them. This is true for the kids hustling into the room and the kids hiding behind a parent. You know this is true for the person who brings the snacks, leads the singing, helps with crafts, and the brave one who agrees to keep games under control. The whole point of this week is for everyone to know you love them. You created each one in your own image. So no matter what happens at VBS, remind us that you love us. Give the adults strength for the week. Give your children of all ages open hearts to experience your goodness. And when Bible School is over, give us all good rest after a wonderful week of loving each other and you well. Amen!

Wedding Reception Prayer

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Later today I will be celebrating the marriage of two lovely people. And as I was preparing a prayer for the reception, I thought I would share it here in case it would be helpful to anyone else who is needing a prayer for a wedding reception.

Loving God, On this day when love brings us together, we thank you for your constant love for us. We thank you for bringing —— and —— together and blessing their love today. Continue to guide and support them as they begin this new chapter of their life together. God, we thank you for this joyful feast. Watch over all of us and keep us safe as we celebrate the gift of love and especially the love between —- and ——. Amen.

Prayer for a Day That Keeps Trying to Knock You Down

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Recently, my friend and I had a day. A day filled with one unpleasant surprise after another. My friend described it as a day of whiplash. I said what next just wondering what could possibly go wrong next. And less than an hour later the bridge we were driving over when I said what next got stuck and people had to wait for a fix! I didn’t say what next again!

You have had one of those days. Where the bad news keeps coming and you honestly wonder what next because you can’t imagine there could possible be more bad news. Ugh! You know one of those days where you feel like you are living in a Psalm of lament. When those days come, I hope this prayer brings you a bit of peace.

Faithful and Wonderful God, it has been a day. You know what I mean. How many more unpleasant surprises can I handle? And yes, I know there was good in my day. The good just felt so overshadowed by all the hard parts. No matter what you are with me. Beside me when the hard news comes and celebrating the victories. I would love to ask for more victories, God. Instead, I will ask for your abiding presence and love to give me the strength to navigate this day whatever might happen. Amen.

Post-it Countdown

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I love post-its. I love countdowns. What is the best? Obviously, combining these two loves together. I am nearing the end of my first semester back at school. To celebrate and motivate myself, I made a post-it countdown. As of today, 4 more classes and 5 more assignments are between me and a few weeks off before summer classes! Woohoo!

So, when you are nearing the end of your energy or excitement for something, why not try a countdown? It feels good to physically remove the number from the stack and know that you are closer to the end!

I have used post-its for Lenten countdowns in church (great time to use purple). I made my niece and nephew a countdown when they were driving to see me four years ago. There is no limit to how many ways post-it countdowns can help motivate and inspire you.

Inspiring God, some days we need an extra push. Some days we need an extra reminder that we are moving on the right track and this season isn’t forever. Thank you for post-it countdowns and other fun ways to help us keep on going! With your help, we can do this. Amen!

A Prayer for When You Are Up Before the Sun

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God! Why am I awake and the sun has yet to make an appearance? I wish I was sleeping in my bed! Instead I am awake. My mind is whirling with today’s to do list. Outside it is still dark.

Loving God, it feels like we are the only two up in the whole world…except the birds. I can hear them outside. They are awake and awaiting dawn as well. Give me the same conviction as the birds, so I will feel confident that the sun will rise and a new day will dawn. Even if it dawns after I have begun my day.

God of sunrises and sunsets, whenever we are awake, you are awake. Keeping watch. Loving us. And offering us your peace. Let us reach out and accept your loving kindness. Amen.

No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler (Book Review)

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I will admit it. I am a big fan of Kate Bowler. Her podcast, Everything Happens, keeps my mind occupied while I am at the gym. Her books can be found around my home as I turn to them for laughter and comfort. I love that in her books you see an honest view of God and life that isn’t sugar coated or harsh. It is real.

In this book, Kate Bowler walks us through her illness. This book isn’t easy, and it is beautiful. You will be cheering for her to beat the odds and survive her stage four cancer diagnosis. And maybe, like me, you will be thinking of loved ones who didn’t.

It ends with an appendix titled Cliches We Hear and Truths We Need. And I love every single one of them, so you should read the book just to get to page 201! My absolute favorite is “Everything is possible” which she changes to “Ask instead, what is possible today?” (pg 202).

I wonder what is possible for you today and how you will live into the knowledge that there is no cure for being human and God is with you on this journey!

A To Do List Prayer

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I was just telling a friend that my to do lists are full and not getting shorter. And that is right, I said to do lists. More than one to do list! I love making lists because writing things down helps me to remember and checking things off is so satisfying!

So when you find your lists full and too much to do, take a moment and pray!

Loving God, I can’t imagine what your to do lists must look like. You have so many things and people occupying your time and energy. And yet, you always have time for me. Help us to remain productive when needed and to not become burdened by our lists of tasks. There will always be more to do. You remind us that rest is essential. So encourage us to honor the Sabbath even if it means we need to write it on our lists to make time for rest and you. Forgive our busyness and our mindset that more to do is better. Send your spirit of peace upon us to remind us which things are more important and which things can wait for another day. Slow us down and reorient our priorities, we pray. Amen!

Giving Thanks for Where I Have Been…

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As I was preparing to preach last week, I was sorting through my stoles to find one to wear on Sunday morning. I took time to look at beautiful stoles made by people I love and places I served. I enjoyed remembering stories behind stoles that were purchased for me to mark special occasions. This beautiful stole caught my attention and held it.

This beautiful stole was made by the saints of St. Giles to remind me of my years with them. As I looked at the carefully created squares, I pictured the children, youth, and families as they were 10 years ago when I was with them. I prayed for them imagining where they might be today. And I gave thanks for my time serving the children and youth and adults of that church hidden in the woods.

Faithful God, For the places we have been and the people we have journeyed with, we give you thanks! Thank you for sweet and hard memories. Thank you for children and youth who have grown now. Thank you for adults who are keeping the faith and thank you for those who are now with you. For the gifts that help us remember, we give you thanks. Bless your saints near and far. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness for Exodus 20

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It has been awhile since I have had the opportunity to write liturgy (the words of worship). It feels good to write again and be back in a church where I will (occasionally) be preaching. This is the time of confession and forgiveness for the week I am preaching on the 10 commandments.

Call to Confession-

No one likes to admit that they have done wrong. One of the most beautiful parts of worship is that each week we come together and acknowledge our mistakes. As we confess, we seek to be forgiven by God, by each other, and by ourselves. And so in honesty and humility, we pray together.

Holy One, you instructed us in how to live and we have chosen our own paths. Direct us back to your way. Forgive us, we pray. And help us to forgive each other as we seek to live as those who are created in your image. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon-

Friends in Christ, there is no better news that this. God has heard us. God has forgiven us. God loves us. May our thoughts and actions reflect that forgiveness and love.

What is Next?

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I’m going back to youth ministry and back to school.

I am so excited to share that I am now the Director of Youth Ministry at Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin, Maryland. I am enjoying getting to know the youth and their families and the whole congregation. It feels good to be back in church ministry again and to be spending my time with the younger ones in the congregation.

And starting next week, I will begin studying counseling at UMES. I am working toward a master’s degree specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

So, I am doing something very new and different and something very familiar that feels like going home.

Thankful for new opportunities and thankful for each one of you and the support you have given me!

A look back at when I was DCE coordinating the Christmas Eve service!