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.
UPDATED OCTOBER 17, 2025
This Sunday, October 19, 2025, is the Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost. Our Sunday service will be at the usual time of 9:30 a.m.
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 Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; and Luke 18:1-8.
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.
Calendar of Events
Sun Oct. 19 - Congregational Council, 10:45 a.m.
Mon Oct. 20 - Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Fort Belvoir
Tue Oct. 21 - Office and sanctuary drop-in hours, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Wed Oct. 22 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Sun Oct. 26 - Reformation Sunday
Sun Oct. 26 - Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.
Wed Oct. 29 - Reading Group, 6:30 p.m., Panera Bread (Beacon Center)
Thu Oct. 30 - Book Reading Group, 2:00 p.m., church office or Zoom
Sun Nov. 2 - All Saints Sunday
Special Services Next Two Sundays
Next Sunday, October 26, is Reformation Sunday. On the final Sunday of October, we celebrate our heritage as Lutheran Christians around the traditional starting date of the Reformation - Luther’s posting of the “95 Theses” on October 31, 1517. The color of the day is red!
On the following Sunday, November 2, we will mark All Saints Day. We will celebrate our unity with all the saints of every time and place, and especially those in our own circles who have died and whose physical presence we miss. If you cannot join us in person for the service but would like to name particular persons to be remembered specifically in this service, please let Pastor David know.
Reading and Discussion Groups
The next session of our Fort Belvoir faith discussion group will be on Monday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the Starbucks at 5976 12th Street on Fort Belvoir. Our discussion article can be found by clicking here.
Our evening faith discussion group will meet next on Wednesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Panera Bread in the Beacon Center, 6670 Richmond Highway. The discussion article can be found by clicking here.
Our book reading group will meet next on Thursday, October 30, at 2:00 p.m. We’ll discuss Axioms 4 and 5 in Sternke & Tebbe, Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith, pages 68-102.
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.
EWS Update
EWS will be closed on Monday, October 20 for Diwali. We’re also holding parent-teacher conferences this week.
VOICE - Homes for All Assembly
Half of Virginians can’t afford where they live. Our ever-growing housing shortage is driving more and more families out of the state, into hours-long commutes, and unsafe housing conditions. This statewide problem needs a statewide response, and state leadership.
On October 19th, Virginians Organizing in Community Engagement (VOICE) invites you to participate in their Homes for All Assembly, where 1,000 community members and 20+ elected officials will gather to push housing to the top of Virginia’s agenda. This assembly will include Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh faith leaders, nonprofit and business partners, and elected officials from across the region. Together, we will call for bold, bipartisan action to address Virginia’s growing housing shortage and rising costs—starting at the state level.
If you are interested in attending the assembly, please sign up using this link and/or contact Dulcie Davis for more information.
Calendar of Commemorations
The ELCA remembers saints and reformers of many Christian traditions on specific days throughout the year. Upcoming commemorations include:
Luke, Evangelist (Sat Oct. 18)
Identified as the author of both Luke and Acts, Luke was careful to place the events of Jesus' life in their social and religious contexts. His gospel gives us some of the most beloved parables, as well as the songs of Zechariah, Mary, the angels, and Simeon.
James of Jerusalem, martyr, died around 62 (Thu Oct. 23)
One of three early-church leaders named James, this man is identified in the New Testament and by a historian of the time as a brother of Jesus. Scholars are uncertain whether this means a blood brother. He was a leader of the church in Jerusalem.
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 65 households daily during its open hours of Monday 10-1, Tuesday 12-3, Wednesday 2-5, and Thursday 12-3. 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.