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 SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
This Sunday, September 14, 2025, is the Fourteenth 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 Exodus 32:7-12; Psalm 51:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-17; Luke 15:1-10.
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
Sun Sept. 14 - New Member Info Session, 10:45 a.m.
Tue Sept. 16 - Office and sanctuary drop-in hours, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Wed Sept. 17 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Sun Sept. 21 - Congregation Council, 10:45 a.m.
Mon Sept. 22 - Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Fort Belvoir
Thu Sept. 25 - Reading Group, 2:00 p.m., church office or on Zoom
Sun Sept. 28 - First Day of Sunday School
Sun Sept. 28 - Handbell choir practice, 10:45 a.m.
Sat Oct. 4 - Blessing of the Animals, 9:00-11:00 a.m., front lawn
Sun Oct. 5 - New Member Welcome, during 9:30 a.m. service
New Member Info Session and Welcome
We are planning a formal welcome for new members at Epiphany at our service on Sunday, October 5. We’ll also have an informal information session for potential new members after the service this Sunday, September 14. If you think you might be ready to take the step of becoming a member at Epiphany, come join us on Sunday and explore whether that’s right for you.
As a starting point for our discussions, Pastor David has posted a series of short reflections called “What’s a Lutheran?” on the church web site. We’ll have printed copies available in church on Sunday morning, or you can find them on the web site here.
Drop-In Office Hours
Several members have requested that we resume having a regular time when the church office and sanctuary are available on a drop-in basis. Starting this week, the church office will be open on Tuesdays 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.
Reading and Discussion Groups
We are planning two book reading and discussion groups for the fall.
On Thursdays at 2 p.m., beginning September 25, we will begin a discussion of a book by Rev. Ben Sternke and Rev. Matt Tebbe, Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith (2022). While we often start with good intentions, it feels like real transformation is elusive at best, and maybe even impossible. We deeply want to live in the freedom that Christ offers, but we are acutely aware of the gap between a transformed life and our reality. Having the Mind of Christ tackles the issues of lasting life change.
Copies of the book are available at church (they cost us $11.50 each). Like our last book group, this group will meet in a hybrid format: you can take part in person (we’ll meet in the church office) or join in via Zoom. At our first meeting on September 25, we’ll discuss the introduction and Chapter 1 (pages 1-34).
In addition, on Mondays at 10 a.m., beginning September 22, we’ll be starting a new reading and discussion group to meet at the Starbucks at 5976 12th Street on Fort Belvoir. At our first session we’ll be discussing an interview with Rowan Williams, theologian and former Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, published in the New York Times in June 2025. Copies of the interview are available at the church or by clicking here. Once the group is established, we’ll decide on a future meeting schedule and reading plan.
If you can’t make either of these groups but are interested in participating, we may open up an additional session at a more convenient time. Let Pastor David know.
Sunday School Starts September 28
We are planning to start a biweekly Sunday School program on Sunday, September 28. Helping our youngest members to learn about God and grow in faith is part of our life here at Epiphany.
1) For the very youngest among us (ages 2 to kindergarten), we’ll invite them to go with a teacher during the readings and sermon time during the regular worship service for a story and prayer. They’ll return during the exchange of peace (and perhaps share a song or something of what they’ve learned with the rest of the congregation).
2) For young folks in grades 1-6, we’ll have a Sunday School lesson immediately after the service from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. This will include a Scripture story, discussion, and an activity.
EWS Update
This week we celebrated Patriots Day on Thursday, September 11, by gathering at the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It was also our first full 5-day week of school … really getting into the rhythm of the new school year!
Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis of Assisi, the 12th century church reformer, was famous for – among other things – his love of animals and nature. Our fellow creatures join with us in praising God and sharing God’s blessings with us.
On St. Francis Day – Saturday, October 4 – we will invite our members, our neighbors, and our friends to an outdoor Blessing of the Animals from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the church front lawn. Everyone is welcome to bring their pets (even their stuffed animals!) and to give thanks to God for the blessing of animals.
ELCA and Metro DC Synod News
The presiding bishop of the ELCA, issued a statement this week on political violence in our country. 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:
John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, died 407 (Sat Sept. 13)
John was a priest in Antioch and an outstanding preacher. His eloquence earned him the nickname "Chrysostom" ("golden mouth"). Appointed bishop of Constantinople, seat of the empire, he criticized corruption in the court. As a result, he was exiled by the empress.
Holy Cross Day (Sun Sept. 14)
Helena, mother of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and found what may be the actual site of Jesus' crucifixion. Her son built two churches there, and the dedication of one of them gave rise to this celebration of our Lord's victory on the cross.
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyr, died around 258 (Tue Sept. 16)
Cyprian served as a bishop during a time of great persecution of Christians. He insisted on receiving back those who had left the faith under duress. He also provided medical care during a severe epidemic.
Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179 (Wed Sept. 17)
A mystic who was widely influential within the church, Hildegard advised and reproved kings and popes, wrote poems and hymns, and produced treatises in medicine, theology, and natural history. She was also a musician and artist.
Dag Hammarskjöld, renewer of society, died 1961 (Thu Sept. 18)
A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary General of the United Nations until his death in a plane crash while trying to negotiate peace in present-day Zambia. His journal, published as Markings, revealed the depth of his Christian faith.
Nelson Wesley Trout, bishop, died 1996 (Sat Sept. 20)
A native of Ohio, Trout served parishes in several parts of the United States before being elected bishop of the South Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, the first African American Lutheran to serve in such a capacity.
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.