“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 More
Making Room: Take a Walk
“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…
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:…
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…
Abounding in Hope: May it Be So
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 At first reading, especially if the person doing the reading views faith skeptically, this prayer can sound less like a fervent wish for someone, and…
A Law of Relationship: May It Be So
Jeremiah 32:17-25 17 Ah Lord God! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show steadfast love to the thousandth generation, but repay the guilt of parents into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose…
Big Questions About the Bible: Books for Study & Faith [Godbooks]
How do you make sense of the Gospels? How do you tackle difficult books of the Bible like Hebrews and Psalms? This week, we feature our favorite Godbook Bible study recommendations!
P.O.L.O. (Parents of Little Ones) Sunday, April 6 at 9:00 a.m.
Calling parents of young children! Our ‘Parents of Little Ones’ small group meets April 6 ! Our study materials vary, from the Bible to books to blogs to podcasts. Childcare (and donut holes) will be provided. Want to receive POLO (Parents of Little Ones) monthly emails? These emails include info about upcoming discussion topics, what…
Making Room: Experiences Over Things
“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…
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.
Making Room: Electronic Sabbath
“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…