Immanuel’s youth program sent 25 care packages to Immanuelites in college this fall. Care packages included homemade desserts, snacks, and quick meals to help our college students during their end of semester exams and papers. “We want our college students to know that God loves them and we do, too–even if they’re many, many miles…
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“See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Susan Gregory. Recycle your old phones and cable. Phones and cables can’t be recycled curbside, but Fairfax County has 7 days per week recycling…
Read More “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Susan Gregory: This season, clean out leftover cleaning products, batteries, lightbulbs and other hazardous trash. Do not throw away anything that is toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive.…
Read More “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Today’s eco-tip comes from Liz Pruchnicki, Immanuel’s Youth Director. This Advent, prioritize experiences over things. Especially in your holiday shopping this year, try to gift experiences instead of stuff. It not only helps the environment, it also reorders our living away…
Read More “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Hebrews 3:4 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Nate Buchanan: Buy a reusable to straw to save plastic (you can find them in either metal or durable glass). You can also choose straw-free lids, or, if you are able, choose…
Read More “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Alex Abi-Najm If you are able, take stairs instead of elevators whenever possible. You…
Read More “A righteous man regards the life of his animal.” Proverbs 12:10 Today’s eco-tip comes from Rev. Katie Strednak-Singer, Associate Pastor at Immanuel: Meatless Monday! Learn about how CO2 emissions can be seriously reduced by swapping beef for beans (even if you do so a few times a week!). Here’s a prayer for today:…
Read More “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.” Psalm 24: 1-2 Today’s eco-tip comes from Liz Pruchnicki, Immanuel’s Youth Director. If you’re able, take a walk outdoors today. Turn off…
Read More “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3 Today’s eco-tip comes from Billy Kluttz, Immanuel in the Evening Coordinator. Bottled water is a habit for many of us, but it can easily be broken. Take the challenge today to go one day without bottled water. Use a reusable bottle…
Read More “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:29 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Alex Abi-Najm. Disposable batteries cause serious environmental harm when not properly disposed. Use rechargeable batteries wherever possible this winter and gift reusable batteries this Christmas. Here’s a prayer for today:…
Read More “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Today’s eco-tip comes from Julia Black. Use reusable totes for groceries or any kind of shopping. Plastic bags are banned in Kauai, Hawaii so this has been crucial for me this year.…
Read More “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 …
Read MoreNever Run Out of Praise: May It Be So
Psalm 71:7-16 The Message My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully. You keep me going when times are tough— my bedrock, God, since my childhood. I’ve hung on you from the day of my birth, the day you took me from the cradle; I’ll never run out of…
A Different Kind of Knowledge: May It Be So
Philippians 1: 9-11 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the…
New Books in the Immanuel Library: Spring 2018
God’s Secretaries, The Making of the King James Bible, by Adam Nicolson, 1903. An irenicon: it was a political tool aimed toward making peace in an England of warring religious passions, each with their own Bible. By design, the words are ambiguous, yet rich with multiple hidden meanings, so that every reader will find peace. James…
Caregiver’s Support Group 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Susan leads this support group providing caregivers a time and place to receive physical, emotional, and spiritual support, as well as practical tools and resources for coping and flourishing. Our next meeting is Friday, November 9. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Pastor Susan at sgraceson@ipcmclean.org.
Weaving Faith and Prayer: May It Be So
Psalm 30:6-12 When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go…
Add Spirituality to your Summer Vacation: 5 Simple Ideas
Taking a break from work or school during the summer doesn’t have to mean taking a break from your spiritual life. Use our tips to add spirituality and reflection to your summer vacation.
Next Right Steps: May It Be So
Exodus 33:12-13 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now if I have found favor in…
Finding Our True Selves, Suffering, and Discernment: 3 Books for Spiritual Growth [Godbooks]
Spiritual questions are not easy: Who am I? Why does suffering happen? How do I decide what to do next? This week, we offer three books based on deeply spiritual questions from Immanuel’s Godbook recommendations. Click here to search the Immanuel library! Click here to recommend a book yourself! Click here to search the Godbook archives….
Sing a New Song: The Story Behind a New Hymn
Brian Wilhour, Director of Music, and Pastor Aaron recently composed a new hymn as an auction item for Immanuel’s annual auction fundraiser. This month, we premiered the hymn during Immanuel’s Sunday worship services. Sarah Sherman, Music Assistant for Children and Youth, interviewed Brian and Pastor Aaron during Sunday morning’s moment for young disciples. …
Grief & the Holidays, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Join us in the Immanuel sanctuary as grief counselor Jennifer Lanouette of Capital Caring leads us in an exploration and discussion of coping with grief at the holidays. Friends and loved ones welcome!