IBC's Senior Singles Group
What Is the Senior Singles Group?
Faith, Fellowship, and ServiceThe Senior Singles Group is a community of single adults, generally age 50 and older, who desire to grow in their relationship with God while building meaningful friendships with others who share similar life experiences. Some members are widowed. Some are divorced. Some have never married. What brings us together is not our past, but our shared desire to walk faithfully with Christ and enjoy fellowship with one another.
Our group is open to both men and women and welcomes participants from Immanuel Bible Church as well as other churches throughout Northern Virginia. Today, more than 100 people are connected with the group, and new friendships are forming all the time.
Our Purpose
The Senior Singles Group exists to encourage one another in three important ways:
Faith
We want to help one another continue growing spiritually, no matter our age or stage of life. Through Bible studies, special teaching events, prayer, and spiritual conversations, we encourage one another to keep seeking God and following Christ.
Fellowship
Life can sometimes feel lonely, especially after the loss of a spouse, a divorce, retirement, or other major life transitions. We believe God designed us for community. Our group provides opportunities to build genuine friendships, enjoy laughter together, and support one another through both joys and challenges.
Service
We encourage members to use their gifts and experience to serve others. Throughout the year we participate in church and community service opportunities that allow us to make a difference while serving alongside friends.
What Do We Do?
We typically offer three to six activities each month. Participation is completely optional. Some people attend nearly everything, while others join only those activities that fit their schedules and interests.
Activities may include:
• Monthly lunches and dinners
• Book clubs
• Hiking and outdoor activities
• Concerts and cultural events
• Holiday gatherings and cookouts
• Spiritual growth classes
• Service projects
• Discussion groups
• Prayer gatherings
• Special speakers and workshops
One of our favorite traditions is our First Sunday Lunch, where members gather after church to enjoy a meal and spend time getting to know one another better.
What Makes This Group Different?
Many groups focus primarily on activities. While we certainly enjoy having fun together, our deeper goal is to build authentic Christian community. We want people to be known. We want friendships that extend beyond organized events.
We want people to know they have others who will pray for them, encourage them, and walk alongside them through life's challenges. Our hope is that every person who joins will experience not only friendship, but also a deeper awareness of God's faithfulness and presence in their lives.
We typically offer three to six activities each month. Participation is completely optional. Some people attend nearly everything, while others join only those activities that fit their schedules and interests.
Activities may include:
• Monthly lunches and dinners
• Book clubs
• Hiking and outdoor activities
• Concerts and cultural events
• Holiday gatherings and cookouts
• Spiritual growth classes
• Service projects
• Discussion groups
• Prayer gatherings
• Special speakers and workshops
One of our favorite traditions is our First Sunday Lunch, where members gather after church to enjoy a meal and spend time getting to know one another better.
What Makes This Group Different?
Many groups focus primarily on activities. While we certainly enjoy having fun together, our deeper goal is to build authentic Christian community. We want people to be known. We want friendships that extend beyond organized events.
We want people to know they have others who will pray for them, encourage them, and walk alongside them through life's challenges. Our hope is that every person who joins will experience not only friendship, but also a deeper awareness of God's faithfulness and presence in their lives.
Do I Need to Attend Everything?
Not at all. There are no membership requirements, attendance quotas, committees, or obligations. Participate as much or as little as you wish. Come to one event and see what you think. You'll find a welcoming group of people who understand many of the unique blessings and challenges that come with this season of life.
We'd Love to Meet You
Whether you've been single for many years or are adjusting to a recent life change, you are welcome here. We believe God still has good purposes, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for growth ahead of us. We hope you'll join us as we pursue faith, fellowship, and service together
Organization:
Currently led by Cathy McMahon (widowed) and Crystal Sarno (divorced)
Questions?
Follow us on Facebook
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Not at all. There are no membership requirements, attendance quotas, committees, or obligations. Participate as much or as little as you wish. Come to one event and see what you think. You'll find a welcoming group of people who understand many of the unique blessings and challenges that come with this season of life.
We'd Love to Meet You
Whether you've been single for many years or are adjusting to a recent life change, you are welcome here. We believe God still has good purposes, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for growth ahead of us. We hope you'll join us as we pursue faith, fellowship, and service together
Organization:
Currently led by Cathy McMahon (widowed) and Crystal Sarno (divorced)
Questions?
Follow us on Facebook
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Book Club Launch!
Beginning this June, we’re going to spend the summer reading a remarkable book together:
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography.
Don’t worry—this is not a “read 300 pages by next Tuesday” kind of book club. We’ll read it leisurely over the summer and then gather in September to talk about it together. You have the entire summer to make your way through it—by the pool, on the porch, during travel, or while pretending to do yard work.
The book is available in paperback and on Kindle, and I also have several copies I’d be happy to give away.
Why this book?
John Paton was a 19th-century missionary who left Scotland to share the Gospel in the New Hebrides Islands (now Vanuatu), serving in circumstances that were beautiful, difficult, courageous, and sometimes astonishing. His story is filled with hardship, deep faith, answered prayer, perseverance, and moments that will likely challenge and encourage us in our own walk with God.
What I especially love about this book is that it reminds us that ordinary people—through extraordinary trust in God—can have lives of tremendous meaning and impact.
And honestly, after reading about Paton’s adventures, most of us will probably feel much better about our own daily inconveniences.
I think this will be an inspiring and worthwhile read, and I hope many of you will join us!
More details about our September book discussion gathering will come later in the summer
Beginning this June, we’re going to spend the summer reading a remarkable book together:
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography.
Don’t worry—this is not a “read 300 pages by next Tuesday” kind of book club. We’ll read it leisurely over the summer and then gather in September to talk about it together. You have the entire summer to make your way through it—by the pool, on the porch, during travel, or while pretending to do yard work.
The book is available in paperback and on Kindle, and I also have several copies I’d be happy to give away.
Why this book?
John Paton was a 19th-century missionary who left Scotland to share the Gospel in the New Hebrides Islands (now Vanuatu), serving in circumstances that were beautiful, difficult, courageous, and sometimes astonishing. His story is filled with hardship, deep faith, answered prayer, perseverance, and moments that will likely challenge and encourage us in our own walk with God.
What I especially love about this book is that it reminds us that ordinary people—through extraordinary trust in God—can have lives of tremendous meaning and impact.
And honestly, after reading about Paton’s adventures, most of us will probably feel much better about our own daily inconveniences.
I think this will be an inspiring and worthwhile read, and I hope many of you will join us!
More details about our September book discussion gathering will come later in the summer
You’re invited: Senior Singles Dessert & Spiritual Disciplines Series
What: Potluck dessert, teaching, and group discussion on a Spiritual Discipline
When: June 18th (series continues on the 3rd Thursday each month, Feb–Jun) • at 6:30pm
Where: Immanuel Bible Church, In room A211.
Who: Senior Singles — all are welcome
In this series we will explore six spiritual disciplines to help us grow in our walk with Christ. Each session includes a teaching, an opportunity for questions and a time of fellowship, prayer and small group practice of that spiritual disciplines.
Schedule:
Even though evenings will be dark and cold, this is a warm opportunity to learn, share, and encourage one another on our faith journey.
RSVP / Questions
Please RSVP by June 17th
For questions: Crystal Sarno, 703.9276264 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You are invited to join us for evening of fellowship, potluck desserts, practical teaching, and group discussion on a Spiritual Discipline.
Our next session is June 18th |Room A211
Please RSVP by June 17th
Contact Crystal Sarno/703-927-6264/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What: Potluck dessert, teaching, and group discussion on a Spiritual Discipline
When: June 18th (series continues on the 3rd Thursday each month, Feb–Jun) • at 6:30pm
Where: Immanuel Bible Church, In room A211.
Who: Senior Singles — all are welcome
In this series we will explore six spiritual disciplines to help us grow in our walk with Christ. Each session includes a teaching, an opportunity for questions and a time of fellowship, prayer and small group practice of that spiritual disciplines.
Schedule:
- January 15 - What are the Spiritual Disciples and Why do we care about them?
- February 19 - Prayer
- March 19 - Bible Study - Listen to audio of teaching HERE
- April 16 - Bible Reading - Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture - Listen to audio of teaching HERE
- May 21 - Fasting (including Silence)
- June 18 - Celebration
Even though evenings will be dark and cold, this is a warm opportunity to learn, share, and encourage one another on our faith journey.
- Grow deeper in our relationship with God. The disciplines are ways God shapes and draws us into intimacy with Him (e.g., Psalm 1; Matthew 6:6). Practicing them intentionally helps faith move from head-knowledge to life-formation.
- Encourage one another. We don’t walk this journey alone. Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us to spur one another on. Doing the disciplines in community provides encouragement, testimony, and shared wisdom.
- Find fresh purpose and meaning. Many of us have extra time and life experience; the disciplines help us use that time to serve, pray, reflect, and listen to where God is leading us next.
- Gain strength for daily life. Practices like prayer, Scripture reading, and Sabbath cultivate peace, resilience, and joy — especially helpful in seasons of change, loss, or loneliness.
- Leave a spiritual legacy. As we deepen our walk, we model faith for others and can offer counsel, mentoring, and hope to younger Christians and peers alike (2 Peter 1:5–8).
RSVP / Questions
Please RSVP by June 17th
For questions: Crystal Sarno, 703.9276264 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
