Epiphany Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation in historic Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, Virginia.
We are a welcoming and affirming Christian community that lives with a daring confidence in God’s gracious love for all people.
Come Worship with Us
In Person or Online
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. / Christmas Eve Dec. 24 at 4:00 p.m.
UPDATED DECEMBER 12, 2025
This Sunday, December 14, 2025, is the Third Sunday of Advent. Our Sunday service will be at the usual time of 9:30 a.m.
At the moment, there is a possibility of some overnight snow Saturday night into Sunday morning - current forecasts range from nothing up to a couple of inches. Depending on the amount of snow received (if any), those of us who can safely make it to church will be there, and anyone who would prefer not to venture out is welcome to join us online. Please stay safe and warm!
On-site: Come join us in the sanctuary for the full service.
On-line: The service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel and also through our usual Epiphany Zoom connection. To join us on Zoom, just click on this link or follow the instructions below.
The readings are Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25. (These are normally the readings appointed for the Fourth Sunday of Advent; we’re moving them up a week in advance of our Lessons and Carols service next Sunday, December 21.)
For those joining the service online, you can download a PDF copy of the bulletin (including music, readings, and prayers) by clicking here.
We will have a time of fellowship following the service, both in person and on Zoom. The Congregation Council will meet at 10:45 a.m., downstairs (and on Zoom for any who can’t make it in).
Calendar of Events
Sun Dec. 14 - Congregation Council, 10:45 a.m.
Tue Dec. 16 - Office/sanctuary drop-in hours, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wed Dec. 17 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Wed Dec. 17 - Epiphany serves at VIC Hypothermia Shelter, 6:30 p.m. at Rising Hope UMC
Fri Dec. 19 - EWS Christmas Pageant, 9:00 a.m.
Sun Dec. 21 - Lessons and Carols service, 9:30 a.m.
Wed Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve service, 4:00 p.m.
Sun Jan. 29 - Annual Congregational Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
Hypothermia Shelter
Epiphany will again be providing the meal and hosting for the VIC Hypothermia Shelter (hosted at Rising Hope UMC Mission, 8220 Russell Road) on Wednesday, December 17. Please check with Jessie McManus or Susanna Bauer this weekend to make sure we have all our volunteer positions covered.
EWS Update
This week students will be learning about holiday celebrations and customs from all over the world. Our annual Christmas Pageant will be in the sanctuary at 9 a.m. this Friday, December 19, after which Christmas vacation begins for EWS! Everyone is welcome to come and participate in this event.
Congregation and Synod Council
Our annual congregational meeting will take place immediately following the service on Sunday, January 29, 2026. As part of this meeting, we will be electing new members of our Congregation Council and members to serve as voting members of the Metro DC Synod Assembly, which will meet on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Gaithersburg. All members are invited to prayerfully consider serving in one or both of these roles.
In addition, there is a vacancy on the Metro DC Synod Council for a lay voting member from the Potomac Conference (which includes congregations in Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church). The time commitment involved is one Saturday morning a month, plus the Synod Assembly in June. This is a good way to both contribute to and learn about the work of the synod and to connect our congregation more closely to the synod’s resources and expertise. If you think you might be interested, please contact Pastor David for more information about this position.
Immigrant Solidarity - Accompaniment Training Opportunity
The Metro DC Synod is sponsoring a Guardian Angels training on Saturday, January 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in conjunction with the DMV Accompaniment Network.
Guardian Angels volunteers act as part of the ELCA’s AMMPARO (“Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities”) Migrant Ministry. They are the physical presence of the church as we accompany members of our communities who have to report to ICE, appear in immigration court, or attend other immigration-related appointments. The goals of the Accompaniment are to be a witness, help identify and avoid process problems, provide emotional and spiritual support, and possibly help with logistics (e.g., transportation)
If you are interested in participating, consider participating in this training. The registration link and location information will be sent to those who have contacted us, and it's never too late to join in. Please send an e-mail to the Synod Secretary, Barbara Bilodeau, by clicking here.
Drop-In Office Hours
The church office is open every Tuesday from 2-6 p.m. You can just drop by to check in, chat with Pastor David, or take some quiet time in the sanctuary.
Pastor David is also available at other times during the week … feel free to contact him by e-mail pastor@epiphanylutheran.org to set up a time.
Synod and Churchwide News
An Advent message from our synod bishop, Rev. Phil Hirsch, was printed in last Sunday’s bulletin. If you missed it, you can read it by clicking here.
Our ELCA Presiding Bishop, Rev. Yehiel Curry, released a message this week on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. You can read it by clicking here.
Calendar of Commemorations
The ELCA remembers saints and reformers of many Christian traditions on specific days throughout the year. Upcoming commemorations include:
Lucy, martyr, died 304 (Sat Dec. 13)
Lucy was a young Christian of Sicily who was martyred during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Her celebration became particularly important in Sweden and Norway, perhaps because the feast of Lucia (whose name means "light") originally fell on the shortest day of the year.
John of the Cross, renewer of the church, died 1591 (Sun Dec. 14)
John was a member of the Carmelite monastic order, and worked to reform it. His writings reflect a deep interest in mystical thought and meditation.
Las Posadas (Tue Dec. 16)
This celebration, long popular in Mexico, takes its name from the "posadas," or lodgings, sought by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Their search is reenacted in a neighborhood, unsuccessfully, until finally they are welcomed in, and a party commences.
Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552 (Sat Dec. 20)
Born to an impoverished nobleman, Katie eventually took vows as a nun, but around age twenty-four she and several other nuns who were influenced by the writings of Martin Luther left the convent. Six children were born to Katie and Martin.
Connection Details
You can join our services or other events on Zoom from anywhere in the world you may be. If you’ve never used Zoom before, you may need to download some software first (it’s free and only takes a minute).
To join, click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/2886238502?pwd=RU9ZZjk1TTdKREd5YmpBN1A2dWlsZz09
or open the Zoom app and use meeting number 288 623 8502 and password 971936;
or (for audio only) call (646) 558-8656 or (301) 715-8592 – When asked for the meeting ID, press 288 623 8502 and then the # key. When asked for the password, press 971 936 and then the # key.
In addition, the service is available on our YouTube channel. If you cannot participate live at 9:30 a.m., the videos will remain available so you can participate at whatever time you can.
United Community
United Community’s “Choice Food Pantry” is located at 7511 Fordson Road. UC serves local residents in need during its open hours of Monday 1-4 and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10-12. Food is also distributed from 4-5 on the first Monday of each month at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, 4015 Fielding Street. For more information about the food pantry, connecting with other available services (including rental and utilities assistance), or for how to volunteer with United Community, visit their web site here.
Connecting With Us
If anyone is sick or in the hospital or otherwise in need, we are ready to help out and to support one another. Please let us know! The easiest way to reach Pastor David quickly is by sending an e-mail to pastor@epiphanylutheran.org.
Financial Support for Epiphany
If you are not able to join us in-person for worship and are able to continue to support Epiphany, we regularly monitor mail deliveries and so you can continue to send checks by mail. In addition, there is a “Donate” button on the web site www.epiphanylutheran.org (just scroll all the way down to the bottom) and you can make a contribution electronically using Paypal or a debit or credit card. We do pay a small service charge for online contributions, but this may be the most convenient option for many.