A Sprinkle of Sunshine
Community Baby Shower Tea
Important Note
This requires a good amount of planning ahead. It is important to decide how many women you can feasibly help with the shower.
Scripture Focus: For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Ps,139:13-14, NIV).
Decoration Ideas and Set Up
Use the colors yellow and orange and elements of sunshine to decorate the meeting area. As centerpiece use fresh yellow flowers in a vase, which can be given out to women as a prize. Set up a photo booth for picture taking.
Refreshments
Serve fruit and veggie trays, crackers with cheese, cupcakes or cookies, yellow or orange punch, lemonade.
Games
You can find a variety of sunshine themed baby shower games online. Here are a few inexpensive examples from Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1469354276/baby-trivia-game-baby-shower-trivia-
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1687945153/retro-sun-guess-how-many-candies-
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1469330582/sunshine-baby-animal-game-boho-
Gifts
Contact local stores/agencies asking them to provide baby items. Utilize already established contacts through the Angel Tree program. Based on the donations, prepare a gift bag for each woman. Use big gifts such as car seats, walkers, jumpers, as door prizes or for the games.
Partnerships
Invite other agencies in your area who support pregnant women/moms. Allow them to set up tables to share information. You could also invite 1-2 agencies representatives to speak during the program.
Program Example:
Welcome
Agency Partner Presentation
Game # 1
Agency Partner Presentation
Game # 2
Salvation Army Presentation
(Pathway to Hope)
Game # 3
Devotional
Prayer
Sunshine
What do sunshine, babies, and Jesus have in common? A lot, actually! Sunshine offers multiple benefits such as providing essential vitamin D for bone health, blood cells, and the immune system. It can lift our mood by increasing serotonin levels, improve skin conditions, and even lower blood pressure. Holding babies can also be beneficial as it reduces stress, promotes mental well-being, and triggers the release of oxytocin, the feel-good chemical in our bodies.
Likewise, having a relationship with Jesus has countless benefits too. Through Him, we receive boundless love, forgiveness, and grace. Jesus is there to alleviate our worries. While sunshine and cuddling a baby can lower blood pressure and boost oxytocin, they can’t provide the same comfort as the peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Several Bible verses speak on this: “Give your worries to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down” Psalm 55:22 (NCV). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, ESV.) “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, ESV). “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” Matt. 11:28-30, MSG.)
Today’s theme has been all about sunshine. Pregnancy isn’t always a walk in the park. There’s a good deal of discomfort and sometimes sickness. As the pregnancy progresses, walking becomes a challenge. Mom life isn’t always smooth sailing either. Moms are often exhausted and find it hard to keep up with everything that needs to be done. It can really take a toll. Anxiety and worry can quickly creep in. It’s important to remember that post–partum depression is real and should be discussed with your doctor.
From a medical standpoint, your doctors can help alleviate anxiety and worry. But on a spiritual level, God can also provide comfort. He understands that life isn’t always sunny, but He wants to help you find joy. He created each of us to worship Him and find joy in Him. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”
God created you, and He created your precious baby. He desires to have a relationship with you and support you through both the cloudy and sunny days.
