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 2, 2026
This Sunday’s Service
This Sunday, October 4, 2026, is the Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost. Our service will begin at the usual time of 9:30 a.m.
For those joining us online, you can find a PDF of the bulletin containing the music, readings, and prayers for the service by clicking here.
On-line: Join us live at 9:30 a.m. Sunday through our usual Epiphany Zoom connection. In addition, all our services are available on our YouTube channel both live and as recordings afterwards.
On Sunday, we will have a time of fellowship immediately after the service.
Calendar of Events
Tue Oct. 6 - Office/sanctuary open hours, 2-6 p.m.
Wed Oct. 7 - Bible reading group, 10 a.m. (in person or on Zoom).
Wed Oct. 7 - Ventures in Community general meeting, 11:30 a.m. (see below)
Sun Oct. 11 - Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.
Sun Oct. 18 - Congregation Council, 10:45 a.m.
Sun Oct. 25 - Reformation Sunday
Sun Oct. 25 - Sunday School, 10:45 a.m.
Sun Nov. 1 - All Saints Sunday
In Memoriam
We are saddened by the passing of Ed Knight this morning, October 2. We send our warmest condolences to Ed’s wife Jacque and his daughter Alison Stokes.
Sunday School
Our Sunday School will be meeting this fall on alternate Sundays immediately after the service. Upcoming dates include October 11 and 25, November 8 and 22, and December 6.. All kids are welcome! For more information, contact Dulcie Davis in the church office.
Bible Reading Group
Our weekly Bible Reading Group meets at 10 a.m. on Zoom for an hour each week; everyone is welcome to participate. Use our regular Epiphany Zoom connection. Alternatively, please feel free to meet in the office and we’ll connect via Zoom with those who will be participating online.
For the next couple of weeks, we’re going to try something different and study a short text that’s not actually itself in the Bible - it’s an ancient catechism known as the “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,” that may be as old as the first century A.D., and that was so highly regarded in the early church that some urged that it be included in the New Testament. Copies of this document are available in church on Sunday.
ELCA and Synod News
Our synod is hosting an all-day workshop on Saturday, November 7, titled “Future-Focused Church,” to be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, VA . For more information and to register (deadline for registration is October 16), click here.
Ventures in Community
Epiphany participates in Ventures in Community, which brings together faith communities from all traditions and other organizations working to serve and advocate those in need on the Richmond Highway corridor. All are welcome to participate in our next general meeting on Wednesday, October 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church at 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria VA 22307.
Following up on our September meeting which discussed food insecurity in the Richmond Highway corridor, we turn to a discussion of the growing needs (for food and many other things) of our aging community members. Our speakers will be Emily Swenson and Jeannine Purdy from the Fairfax County Adult and Aging Division and the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging.
A light lunch will be served. All are welcome and invited to participate.
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. This week’s commemorations include:
Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226 (Sunday Oct. 4)
Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching "using words if necessary." Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God's creation. Francis died on October 3, 1226, exactly 800 years ago this weekend.
Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, died 1864 (Sunday Oct. 4)
Fliedner helped to bring about a revival of the ministry of deaconesses among Lutherans. He was influenced in this by Moravian deaconesses he had met. The motherhouse he founded in Kaiserswerth, Germany, inspired many around the world to take up this ministry.
William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536 (Tuesday Oct. 6)
Tyndale was ordained a priest in England, and wished to translate the Bible into English. He was opposed in this by King Henry VIII, causing him to flee to Germany. He completed the New Testament in 1525, but before he could finish the Old Testament, he was tried for heresy and burned at the stake.
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787 (Wed Oct. 7)
Divided Lutherans in America asked leaders in Europe to send someone who could take charge and unite their work. Muhlenberg was sent, and was effective in organizing the American Lutherans. Among other accomplishments, his liturgical principles became the basis for the Common Service of 1888.
Massie L. Kennard, renewer of the church, died 1986 (Saturday, Oct. 10)
A native of Chicago, Kennard was a major figure in supporting and working toward ethnic and racial inclusiveness in the former Lutheran Church in America. Ordained in 1958, he served in positions including Director for Minority Concerns of the Division for Mission in North America.
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.