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 APRIL 4, 2025
This Sunday’s Service
This Sunday, April 6, 2025, is the Fifth Sunday in Lent. 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 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; and John 12:1-8.
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.
Calendar of Events
Wed Apr. 9 - Bible Reading Group, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
Sun Apr. 13 - Palm Sunday, regular 9:30 a.m. service
Fri Apr. 18 - Good Friday, 12:00 noon service
Sun Apr. 20 - Easter Sunday, regular 9:30 a.m. service, breakfast to follow
VIC Spring Book Club
VIC is sponsoring a spring book reading group on Barbara Brown Taylor’s Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. Facilitating by Bill Collins of the Baha’i Community of Mount Vernon and Keary Kincannon of Aldersgate UMC, this will be an 8-week discussion of how people of faith or no faith can find something to admire in the faith and religious communities of others and this attain to a deeper understanding of human awe before the Divine Mystery. Participants will discuss setting up a few trips to the houses of worship of various faiths in addition to the book. Tuesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Aldersgate Library (1301 Collingwood Road, door 3) beginning April 8. For more information and to register, click here.
ELCA Social Statement on Child Protection and Maltreatment
On March 21, the ELCA released a draft social message on child protection and maltreatment. This draft social message is in response to a request from the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and addresses the church’s calling to protect and nurture children and youth, both within the church and within society more broadly. The ELCA is now inviting all members to participate in a period of public comment on the draft.
To read the draft social message and complete and online survey, please click here. In addition, you can e-mail comments, affirmations, questions, or concerns about the draft social message to the ELCA churchwide Theological Ethics team at draftsocialmessage@elca.org. The survey and public comment period will be open until June 30.
All ELCA social teachings are developed through a process of communal deliberation across the church, and all feedback will be prayerfully considered as this draft is revised. Everyone’s perspective is important to this process!
Calendar of Commemorations
The ELCA remembers saints and reformers of many Christian traditions on specific days throughout the year. Upcoming commemorations include:
Albrecht Dürer, died 1528; Matthias Grünewald, died 1529;Lucas Cranach, died 1553; artists (Sun Apr. 6)
These great artists revealed through their work the mystery of salvation and the wonder of creation. Dürer's work reflected the apocalyptic spirit of his time. Though he remained a Roman Catholic, he was sympathetic to Martin Luther's reforming work. Grünewald's paintings are known for their dramatic forms, vivid colors, and depiction of light. Cranach's work includes many fine religious examples and several portraits of Martin Luther. Cranach was also widely known for his woodcuts.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theologian, died 1945 (Wed Apr. 9)
Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who wrote profoundly, yet in an accessible manner. In the Second World War, he became a leader of the Confessing Church in Germany that resisted the Nazi movement. Linked to a plot to kill Hitler, he was hanged shortly before the end of the war.
Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, died 1557 (Thu Apr. 10)
Consecrated bishop of Turku, Finland, without the approval of the pope, Agricola began a reform along Lutheran lines. In only three years, he translated the New Testament and worship texts into Finnish, in the process establishing the rules of Finnish writing that are still used today.
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 is currently unable to accept new applicants, but 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.
Food distribution also takes place at the Sacramento Neighborhood Center at 8792 Sacramento Drive #E at 12:00 noon 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.