Prayer, fasting, and alms-giving are all traditional spiritual practices during Lent, but this year Immanuel invites you to take on a new spiritual and physical challenge this season, Planks of Lament. You’re invited to try daily planking (an exercise where you hold your body in the upright pushup position) while reading a Psalm of lament.…
Read More
As the temperature drops, now is the time to consider making your own blessing bags at home to carry with you in your car or on your commute. When you see someone experiencing homelessness, simply say hello and offer the bag. Consider introducing yourself and offer a kind word along with a blessing bag. Immanuel…
Read More
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…
Read More
“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
Making Room: Sunscreen
“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…
Making Room: Natural Light
“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…
Holy Tuesday 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).
Never 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…
Ignite Our Anger: May It Be So
Habakkuk: 1:1-5 The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the…
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. …
When No One Is Watching: May It Be So
Jeremiah 12: 1-4 You will be in the right, O Lord, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; you are near…
Why Bonhoeffer Still Matters: Questions and Quotes
The 2016 Presidential election has brought a renewed interest in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life and writing. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise. Most election years bring (more than) a few thought-pieces and editorials drawing connections between current candidates and Bonhoeffer’s well-known context and work.
#PlanksOfLament – Lenten Young Adults, Youth & Young Families Challenge
Prayer, fasting, and alms-giving are all traditional spiritual practices during Lent, but this year Immanuel invites you to take on a new spiritual and physical challenge this season, Planks of Lament. You’re invited to try daily planking (an exercise where you hold your body in the upright pushup position) while reading a Psalm of lament….
Making Room: Online Subscriptions
“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…