“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 More “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112: 7 Today’s eco-tip comes from Immanuel member Alex Abi-Najm: Save paper, ink, and gasoline by reading your favorite newspapers and magazine publications online instead of reading the paper versions. Here’s a prayer for today: Faithful One You…
Read More “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 MoreClinging 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…
New Titles in Immanuel's Library This December
Immanuel’s library has added great new titles this winter! Check out our latest additions below. Click here to search the entire Immanuel library. Special thanks to Margaret Raymond for her oversight of Immanuel’s library and her wonderful synopses below. History: Ottoman Empire and Islamic Tradition by Norman Itzkowitz. A 1980 history is never too old: An introduction to the…
Holy Wednesday 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).
4 Spiritual Resolutions for a New Year
Many of us will try to restart our physical and financial goals in 2017, but the new year is also a great time to revitalize our spiritual lives. Here are a few spiritual resolutions to inspire your goal setting.
Praying With Our Breath: May It Be So
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. In his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul ends his letter with the benediction and prayer above, sending peace “at all times and in all ways.”…
Making Room: Local Mulch
“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…
Sunday Stations At Immanuel: A Weekly Intergenerational Event
Immanuel launched a new, intergenerational educational opportunity this month, Sunday Stations. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, Pastor Susan and Billy Kluttz sat down for a conversation.
Youth eNewsletter: Miracles & Mysteries
Dear 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…
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.
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:…