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 DECEMBER 5, 2025
This Sunday, December 7, 2025, is the Second Sunday of Advent. 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 Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 12-14, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; and Matthew 3:1-12.
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 Dec. 7 - Bell choir practice, 10:45 a.m.
Sun Dec. 7 - Sunday School (Grades 1-6), 10:45 a.m.
Tue Dec. 9 - Office/sanctuary drop-in hours, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wed Dec. 10 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Wed Dec. 10 - Evening Faith Discussion Group, 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread
Thu Dec. 11 - ELC Book Club, 2:00 p.m., church office or Zoom
Thu Dec. 11 - Immigrant Solidarity Faith Vigil, 5:00 p.m. (see below)
Fri Dec. 12 - EWS Children’s Chapel, 11:30 a.m.
Sun Dec. 14 - Congregation Council, 10:45 a.m.
Wed Dec. 17 - Epiphany serves at VIC Hypothermia Shelter
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.
Reading and Discussion Groups
Our evening faith discussion group will meet next on Wednesday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Panera Bread in the Beacon Center, 6670 Richmond Highway.
Our book reading group will meet next on Thursday, December 11, at 2:00 p.m. We’ll discuss Axiom 8 and the Conclusion to Sternke & Tebbe, Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith, pages 135-end.
Our Fort Belvoir faith discussion group will resume in the New Year.
Immigrant Solidarity
As you may be aware, immigration enforcement activity has picked up in our area, with several people being arrested in shopping areas and while working on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Combined with the news of enforcement activity around the country, this development has understandably created a great deal of fear in local immigrant communities, even for U.S. citizens and other lawful residents. Faith communities in the area will join in a prayer vigil along Route 1 (where some of the November arrests were made) this Thursday, December 11, at 5 p.m. All are welcome to participate. We will gather at 8410 Richmond Highway (corner of Buckman Road) - we will be outside, so please dress warmly!
Hypothermia Shelter
Thanks to everyone who helped to cook and serve at the VIC Hypothermia Shelter last Wednesday evening.
Epiphany will again be providing the meal and hosting on Wednesday, December 17. Please check with Susanna Bauer this weekend to make sure we have all our volunteer positions covered.
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.
Calendar of Commemorations
The ELCA remembers saints and reformers of many Christian traditions on specific days throughout the year. Upcoming commemorations include:
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, died around 342 (Sat Dec. 6)
Little is known about Nicholas, except that he was a bishop in present-day Turkey. According to legend, he was famous for his giving to the poor, and so has become a symbol of anonymous gift-giving.
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died 397 (Sun Dec. 7)
While a governor of northern Italy, Ambrose was elected bishop of Milan on the same day he was baptized. He was a famous preacher, a writer of hymns we still sing today, and helped lead St. Augustine to faith.
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.
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.