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Welcome to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Sunday Services at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM
Each week, people gather at St. Matthew’s in Sterling, Virginia, for worship, reflection, and community.
Some come seeking quiet space with God. Others come because they have found friendship, community, and a place their families enjoy.
However you arrive, you’re welcome.
What Sundays Are Like
Sunday mornings at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Sterling, Virginia, are centered around worship, community, and time to reflect on faith together.
Our services include prayer, scripture, Holy Communion, music, and a message that connects faith with everyday life.
Worship follows the Episcopal tradition while remaining welcoming and accessible for newcomers.
Some people come seeking quiet space with God. Others come for the friendships and relationships they have found here. Many families appreciate the opportunities for children and youth to learn and grow in faith.
Visitors are always welcome. You are free to participate fully or simply observe and take in the experience.
Coffee and conversation between the 9:30 and 11:00 AM services are a great way to meet people and get to know the community.
Our regular Sunday services are held at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM.
What Makes St. Matthew's Unique
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Sterling, Virginia is a welcoming Christian community where thoughtful faith and genuine relationships grow together.
Rooted in the Episcopal tradition, we value worship that is meaningful and reflective while encouraging curiosity, learning, and conversation.
At St. Matthew’s, faith connects with everyday life. It is not limited to what happens inside church walls. We believe faith shapes how we care for one another, serve our neighbors, and live our daily lives.
Here are a few things people often notice about St. Matthew’s:
Faith that Welcomes Curiosity
Questions and exploration are part of spiritual growth. We encourage thoughtful discussion and a deeper understanding of faith.
Worship That Engages Heart and Mind
Our worship blends tradition with creativity through scripture, music, prayer, and teaching that connects faith with real life.
A Community That Truly Knows One Another
St. Matthew’s is a place where friendships grow naturally and people support one another through every stage of life.
Faith That Moves Into the Community
Serving others is an important part of life at St. Matthew’s. Our ministries reach beyond the church through local outreach and community partnerships.
Joy Along the Journey
We take faith seriously, but we also believe church should be a place of joy. You will find moments of creativity, humor, and celebration alongside reflection and prayer.
Our Mission
To Know and Share God's Love.
We believe faith grows through worship, meaningful relationships, and serving others. Together we seek to deepen our connection with God, with one another, and with the wider community.
You are welcome here, and you are loved by God.
What We Believe
As part of the Episcopal Church, our faith is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and shaped by the Anglican tradition of scripture, prayer, and thoughtful reflection. Our worship includes scripture, prayer, music, and Holy Communion.
Many people appreciate Episcopal worship because it connects ancient traditions with a welcoming spirit that encourages curiosity, learning, and spiritual growth.
You don’t need to be Episcopal, or even sure what you believe, to visit. People come to St. Matthew’s from many different backgrounds and stages of faith.
You Might Feel at Home at St. Matthew’s If…
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You’re looking for a church where faith is taken seriously but curiosity and questions are welcome
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You appreciate worship that is rooted in tradition but not overly formal
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You want your family to grow in a supportive and inclusive community where people genuinely know and care for each other
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You believe faith should inspire us to serve our neighbors and make a difference in the world
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You’re returning to church after time away and want a place where you can explore faith at your own pace
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You appreciate a community that can think deeply about faith and still laugh, learn, and enjoy being together
Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome at St. Matthew’s.
Meet our Clergy & Staff
Add a Title
The Reverend Rob Merola
Rob has served the St. Matthew’s community for more than two decades and is known for thoughtful, creative preaching and a deep commitment to caring for people. After growing up in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Rob attended college in New York where he majored in psychology. Rob married his wife Linda in 1986 and became a priest that same year. Rob and Linda have two daughters named Christine and Mary. With an approach to religious leadership and service that’s both genuine and almost experimental in nature, Rob is committed to meeting people wherever they’re at in life and creating spiritual experiences that are unconventional and powerful for everyone, not just regular church-goers. Rob is passionate about helping people explore faith in ways that connect with real life, whether they’ve been part of the church for years or are just beginning to ask questions. When Rob isn’t teaching at St. Matthew’s, he can be found carefully tending to his garden of tomatoes, peppers, and sunflowers, fly fishing, filling his bird feeders, or reading. “I haven’t found anything better to read than Calvin and Hobbes,” Rob says when asked about his favorite books.
Meet our Staff
Behind the life of St. Matthew’s is a dedicated team of staff and ministry leaders who support worship, children’s formation, youth ministry, music, outreach, and community life.
Together they help make St. Matthew’s a place where people of all ages can grow in faith and connection.
Genevieve Zetlan
Lay Preacher
Rachel Leary
Youth Ministry
Gr. 6-8
Alex Yarbrough
Faith Factory Teacher
Ages 5 - Gr. 2
Samantha Ankers
Event Coordinator Intern
Rev. Josh House
Deacon
Avery Medina
Youth Ministry
Gr. 6-8
Zorana Rouse
Faith Factory Teacher
Ages 2 - 4
Laura Lounsbury
Audio & Livestream Manager
Wendy Filler
Bookkeeper
Miriam Turner
General Manager
Alex Davenport
Youth Ministry
Gr. 9-12
Kevin Fletcher
Choir Director
& Compline
Brendan Harvey
Audio & Livestream Coordinator
Sue Reier
Office Assistant
Kathleen Bellamy
Dir. Marketing & Communications
Hilary Hultman-Lee
Faith Factory Director
Gr. 3-5
Izzie Reuter
Event Coordinator Intern
Kelly Faist
Nursery Staff
Our History
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church traces its roots back more than 250 years to the early Episcopal presence in Loudoun County.
After gathering in homes, schools, and community spaces for many years, the congregation moved into its current home on East Frederick Drive in 1985.
Since then, St. Matthew’s has grown into a vibrant community of worship, service, and fellowship in Sterling.
