“From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113: 3 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Nate Buchanan: Use biodegradable sunscreen rather than the usual brands, which contain oxybenzone, a chemical that severely damages aquatic ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Learn more about reef…
Read More “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Alex Abi-Najm: Open up your blinds and use as much natural light as possible before switching on your light bulbs. You’ll…
Read More “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” Psalm 92:12 Today’s eco-tip comes from Susan Gregory Care for the plants around you with a fresh layer new mulch. Instead of buying mulch, Fairfax County operates a brush grinding operation which produces double shredded wood mulch for residents at the…
Read More “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.” Job 14:7 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Kevin Hovis: God gives us little blessings like paper towels to wipe our hands when they are wet. I see so many people…
Read More “In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.” 2…
Read More “Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John 1:12 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Susan Gregory Sort and recycle your old…
Read More “Then God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil.” Genesis 2: 8-9 Today’s…
Read MoreWe’re excited to welcome Lucy Brown as Immanuel’s new Church Secretary. Below, we asked her a few introductory questions. Stop by the church office during the week and give Lucy a big “welcome” or send her an email at lbrown@ipcmclean.org. — Q: If you were mayor for the day, what three things would you change…
Read More “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 Start your Advent eco-journey with this challenge: try practicing an electronic sabbath. Taking a weekly day of rest, or sabbath, can also be an opportunity for environmental stewardship. Conserve energy and start your sabbath by powering down your cellphones, tablets, gaming devices, and computers. Here’s…
Read More “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’” Mark 1:3, Contemporary English Version What if welcoming Jesus meant changing the ways we treat our human neighbors? Our animal neighbors? All of God’s creation? This year,…
Read MoreDear IPC Youth & Parents: IT’S HALLOWEEN! And here’s what you need to know coming up at Immanuel in the next couple weeks: —Youth Group on November 4th, from 4:00-5:15pm. We’ll be doing a project with scripture (I promise it will be fun, even though I’m sure at least a couple of you just rolled your…
Read MoreFriends, on behalf of the Session, I have some wonderful news to share: Immanuel Presbyterian Church is officially part of the network of More Light Presbyterians. I am proud of our leaders for taking this step. How was Session inspired to begin this conversation? And a little child shall lead them. –Isaiah 11:6b Recognizing that…
Read MoreGetting to Know Sarah Sherman
Sarah Sherman joined Immanuel as Music Assistant for Children and Youth in October 2016. Sarah graduated with a degree in Music from the University of Virginia, and is thrilled to be working with the young people at Immanuel!
Making Room: Meatless Monday
“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:…
Don’t Forget to Pack Your Tambourine: May It Be So
Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. Exodus 15: 20 Upon reading this passage, my thoughts go to the events leading up to this celebratory song and dance. Prior to this, Miriam is referred to as…
Introducing Pastor Katie
In addition to her credentials and experience, Pastor Katie also has amazing stories to tell. In hopes of hearing some of those stories, we asked her a few untraditional introductory questions.
Clinging to Goodness: May It Be So
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:9 On the first night of the 2017 World Series, watching Clayton Kershaw pitch, I said, “Oh my goodness.” I thought, in a second moment, oh. my. Goodness. What is Goodness? Is it culturally inflected? Does it depend on “good for…
Maundy Thursday Devotional
For Holy Week, Immanuel has created a series of online devotionals. Each devotional is adapted from a monologue written by Rev. Aaron Fulp-Eickstaedt. Immanuel will perform these monologues and others at this year’s Maundy Thursday service (April 13, 7:30 pm).
Making Room: Paper Towels
“For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.” Job 14:7 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Kevin Hovis: God gives us little blessings like paper towels to wipe our hands when they are wet. I see so many people…
God's Work Isn't a Secret: May It Be So
Luke 2: 25-26, 29-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen…
Making Room: Take the Stairs
“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…
5 Reasons Contemplative Dialogue Isn't For You
As the holidays approach and the stressful election season ends, we realize that not everyone would benefit from contemplative dialogue. So, here are the top 5 reasons that this class isn’t for you…