Join us for a procession of the palms, an introduction to Holy Week, seasonal music, and Pastor Stephanie’s sermon, “Fear and Loathing in Jerusalem.”

On Good Friday (April 3), we will gather outside around the columbarium at 6 p.m. for a contemplative service with reflections, hymns, and a communal procession with the cross to the front portico of the church. Vine Street Christian Church will join us again this year for our Good Friday remembrances. Please bring your lawn chairs and anything else that will assist with making you comfortable for worship outdoors.

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. We will gather at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on Maundy Thursday (April 2) to eat together and observe the Lord’s Supper in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Please call the church office for a dinner reservation by Monday, March 30th at 615-297-5356 or email office@ibcnashville.org.

On March 22, the Sanctuary choir will present James Whitbourn’s “Son of God Mass” during the morning worship service at 10:30 am. The piece was written in 2001 but had its origins earlier as part of the score to a BBC documentary on the Holy Land. Whitbourn is a BBC composer for television and movies. The mass is inspired by eastern landscapes and meditative and mysterious soundscapes. It is set for choir, organ, and soprano saxophone. The choir will be joined by Glenn Burke, a fantastic saxophone player and Belmont University graduate.

Rev. Dr. Ryan Burge is a political scientist whose research focuses on the impact of religion on American life, especially politics. He is a data analyst who has written widely, particularly about the growing group of NONES in the United States, i.e., those who respond “no particular religious affiliation” when surveyed. Dr. Burge’s talk will focus on looking at the interfaith dimensions of contemporary religious life in the U.S. and how that data helps us understand our country as a whole.

The IBC deacons host a Christmastide brunch in the Fellowship Hall to regather church members and friends after the conclusion of Christmas Day festivities. Bring a dish to share and spend some time relaxing after the post-holiday rush.

Our traditional Christmas Eve service features candlelight and communion. There will also be special music and a children’s time. Join us for this meaningful time of celebration and contemplation.

Join us for our Fall Fest and Candy Crawl afternoon adventure! Children from preschool to grade 5 may participate in a pumpkin hunt in the playground areas (preschoolers will hunt on the Little Playground in the fenced-in area) and a Trunk or Treat hosted by the youth in the side parking lot (games, face painting, and trunk visiting). Children and Family ministries will offer a cookout for everyone who participates beginning shortly after worship. Visitors are welcome and please let us know you are coming! Contact Pastor Stephanie with questions or RSVPs: swyatt@ibcnashville.org.

The IBC annual fall picnic will take place Sunday afternoon, September 28th. Recreation will begin at 4pm at the pickleball/basketball courts. Those who wish can jump in on a game of pickeball, bags, or basketball. Please plan to bring lawn chairs if you would like to watch the outdoor games.

Our potluck dinner will begin at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall, so you will not need chairs to eat. With the potluck format, dishes that take into account dietary restrictions (gluten-free and vegetarian being the most common) are particularly welcomed. The church will provide water, tea, lemonade to drink. Those who have joined IBC in the last year are invited to go through the dinner line first!

Jim Hawkins will present, “The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes” on Tuesday, September 9th at 11:00am in the Immanuel Chapel. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Evelyn Brandon for reservations or call the church office for more information 615-297-5356. Young at Heart’s programs are especially designed for those age 60+, however, the program and lunch are open to anyone who wishes to participate.

At the conclusion of Easter worship, children and their families are invited to gather on the collonade to prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt! Children in grades K–5 will hunt on the front lawn. Preschool children will hunt in the collonade courtyard.

Join us as we joyfully declare, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Worship will include traditional Easter hymns, music from the choir and brass ensemble, a children’s sermon, and gathering at the flowered cross at the conclusion of worship.

A Good Friday service will be held outside in the columbarium with Vine Street Christian Church. Please bring lawn. chairs with you. There will be hymn singing and reflections shared. Thank you to the clergy of Vine Street Christian, Thomas Kleinert, Margie Quinn, and Christy Brown for joining in worship leadership on that day. We welcome the members of VIne Street Christian Church as they share this special time with us.

Join us for a Maundy Thursday meal and service to commemorate Jesus’ last meal with the disciples. Dinner is at 5pm and the service is at 6pm in the chapel.

Palm Sunday Worship with special music, a children’s processional, and preparation for Holy Week.

Join us for our annual Christmas Eve Service with special music, a time for children, reflections from Pastor Steven, communion, and carols by candlelight.

Join us for an opportunity to breathe a bit the Sunday before Christmas. During our usual Sunday School hour (9:15am to 10:15am), the IBC deacons will host a potluck Christmas breakfast. All ages welcome. No Sunday School will be held this morning.

Join us for pizza and a fun Christmas flick for all ages in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6pm. Contact Pastor Stephanie for more details: swyatt@ibcnashville.org

Join us as we sing songs of thanksgiving and collect staple goods for the feeding ministry Luke 14:12. We are collecting penne pasta, olive oil, and Progresso soups with pop tops. Please keep your donations with you and bring them forward to the baskets at the altar when directed.

We begin in the children’s Sunday school area at 9:15am with our Bible story of the day and related activities. We gather downstairs in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30am for a worship service centering on the story of the day with children taking the lead in worship including reading, singing, decorating the altar, active prayer experiences, and more. Contact Pastor Stephanie for further details: swyatt@ibcnashville.org. November’s story is about Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28:10–22).

Join us on Sunday, October 27th for our lineup of children’s activities. Beginning at 9:15am the children will engage in Bible study and preparation for Children’s Church (which begins at 10:30am). Following the conclusion of worship, we will head outside for a cookout, Trunk or Treat, and the Great Immanuel Pumpkin Hunt. Event includes all ages, but please limit the participants in the pumpkin hunt to preschoolers through those in 5th grade.

Plans are in the works. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Pastor Stephanie at swyatt@ibcnashville.org.

Holly Hollman, General Counsel and Associate Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, will speak at Immanuel on Sunday, October 13th. She will lead a combined adult Sunday School class beginning at 9:15am in the Chapel. She will inform us about the movement of Christians Against Christian Nationalism as well as other on-going work of the BJC. The BJC is one of Immanuel’s ministry partners.

Contact Pastor Steven Meriwether for further details smeriwether@ibcnashville.org.

The annual Fall Picnic will take place on Sunday afternoon, September 29th. Games will begin at 4pm and dinner will begin at 5pm. We are looking forward to returning to the potluck format this year. Dishes that take into account dietary restrictions (gluten-free and vegetarian being the most common) are particularly welcomed. The church will provide water and lemonade to drink. Those who have joined IBC in the last year are invited to go through the dinner line first!

Read more details in the September 2024 issue of the Immanuel Light.

Rev. Scarlette Jasper, Director of Olive Branch Ministries and field personnel with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will be visiting IBC Sunday morning, September 22nd. Rev. Jasper will spend the Sunday School hour sharing about her work with our children and will preach during our morning worship service. At the end of worship, children will be standing at the various sanctuary exits to take up donations for this year’s Christmas box efforts. Read more about the visit in the September issue of the Immanuel Light

Aime Alley Card, author of The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State, will be the featured speaker at the Tuesday, September 10, 11 a.m. meeting of Young at Heart.

The Tigerbelles tells the epic story of the 1960 Tennessee State University all-Black women’s track team, which found Olympic glory at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The elite group of talent included Wilma Rudolph.

Lunch will be served afterwards for those with a reservation. Contact Evelyn Brandon at alittlebiz@aol.com by Tuesday, September 3.

We will recognize our high school seniors today. A luncheon will be held after morning worship at 10:30am to celebrate with these soon-to-be graduates in a special way. Please contact the church office to make a reservation 615-297-5356 or office@ibcnashville.org.

Easter Sunday worship will include choral and instrumental music, a children’s time, and a message from Pastor Steven. Sunday School precedes worship at 9:15am. Following the service, the children will gather for the Egg Hunt. Children in grades 1–6 will search in the front lawn of the church and toddlers will search in the colonnade courtyard just outside the sanctuary. A cross placed in front of the sanctuary doors under the portico will display beautiful flowers and serve as an ideal picture spot for an Easter photo.