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 FEBRUARY 21, 2025
This Sunday’s Service
This Sunday, February 23, 2025, is the Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany. 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 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; and Luke 6:27-38.
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.
Calendar of Events
Wed Feb. 26 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Sun Mar. 2 - Transfiguration Sunday, 9:30 a.m. service
Wed Mar. 5 - Ash Wednesday, 9:15 a.m., Service of the Word and ashes
Wed Mar. 5 - VIC Public Roundtable on Immigration, 11:30 a.m., 8350 Richmond Hwy. (Gerry Hyland Center) Room 325
Fri Mar. 28 - Burial service for Bud Ferrin, 11:00 a.m., Arlington National Cemetery
Lent Book Club
During Lent, we’ll be reading and discussing together the book by Andrew Root and Blair Bertrand, When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation Beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation (2023). The title has a double meaning — the common experience that “church” as we have come to know it seems to be declining in relevance and numbers and that efforts to counteract decline by trying harder actually make the problem worse, because what we really need is less works and more faith! Dr. Root teaches at Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN and has written prolifically on the theology and sociology of secularism and how it impacts congregational life and ministry; this book distills that research into a form that is intended for congregational-level reflection and discussion.
Copies of the book will be available in church on Sunday (or afterwards) and we’ll try to find a time for discussion that will work for everyone who wants to participate. We envision 4 sessions during the Lenten season.
ELCA and Synod News
The quarterly newsletter for the ELCA’s AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) project is available and can be read 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:
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156 (Sun Feb. 23)
Because he is said to have been known by John, the author of Revelation, as well as the important early church fathers Irenaeus and Ignatius, Polycarp serves as a vital link in church history. He was burned at the stake at age 86 for refusing to renounce his faith.
Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess, died 1921 (Tue Feb. 25)
Born in Norway and trained there as a deaconess, Fedde was asked to come and minster to the poor and to seamen in New York City. She established the Deaconess House in Brooklyn as well as Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis.
George Herbert, hymnwriter, died 1633 (Sat Mar. 1)
An excellent scholar, Herbert served briefly in the English parliament, then became a parish priest. He was known for devoted care of his parishioners, as well as for writing poetry and hymns, including “Come, my way, my truth, my life.” He died at age 40.
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 and continues to be open Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 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.
Food distribution also takes place at the Sacramento Neighborhood Center at 8792 Sacramento Drive #E (same shopping plaza as the former UC thrift store) at 12:00 noon on Fridays.
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.