God’s people at Epiphany Lutheran Church have by the power and will of God, provided a place for you to hear God’s Word and live your Christian faith. In worship, God is truly present bringing many to Christ and His glorious presence. Through Christian education we grow strong and firm in faith of Jesus death and resurrection! In Christ-devoted service we desire to lend a helping and caring hand. As you search us out and use this web-page please communicate your desires and needs.
| Tel.: (715) 835-9314 3031 Epiphany Lane Eau Claire, WI 54703 |
| Worship Services | |
|---|---|
| Traditional: | 5:00 - 6:00 PM Saturday |
| Traditional: | 8:00 - 9:00 AM Sunday |
| Contemporary: | 10:30 - 11:45 AM Sunday |
| Adult Bible Study: | 9:15 - 10:15 AM Sunday |
| Adult Bible Study: | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Wednesday |
| Midweek worship: | Worship in our outdoor chapel: Wednesdays, June - August, 7:00 - 8:00 PM |
| Midweek worship: | Advent (Four Wednesdays before Christmas), 7:00 - 7:45 PM |
| Midweek worship: | Lent (Six Wednesdays before Easter), 7:00 - 7:45 PM |
Pastor Russ
I am glad you are taking the time to get to know me better. I am the Senior Pastor here at Epiphany Lutheran Church. I am currently entering my fourth year in service to the people of Epiphany and Eau Claire.
I shepherd outreach to the community, adult instruction of those seeking to learn about Lutheran Christianity, ministry to the homebound, stewardship, EGG (Epiphany’s Guys Group), LWML, and small group ministries.
When you have questions about how to become a part of our church family I am the one to contact. Email .
I first became a Lutheran Christian in 1984 while in college at The University of Wisconsin, Madison (go Badgers!). I decided to enter the seminary after speaking with my Pastor, Harold Senkbeil. I attended Concordia Seminary St. Louis and was ordained in 1991. My first call was to Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham, Michigan (1991-1994). From there I took a call to St. John and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Suring, Wisconsin (1995-2003).
My wife’s name is Lynn and I have three children (Karis, Aria and Timothy).
I love to fish. Most of the time I walleye fish, but I have been known to give into fishing other species. I lead a spiritual/fishing retreat to Canada once a year for our Guy’s Group at Epiphany.
I love to work with wood and built a log cabin for our family south of Eau Claire in Pleasant Valley. We have a few farm animals and enjoy the country life.
My passion is to see Epiphany grow. I feel a passion for working with people who are new to the Lutheran Church. I also enjoy teaching Bible classes and helping out with the kids. My favorite style of preaching is “away from the pulpit” and right in front of the people. My messages always include the Gospel and how it relates to our present troubles and needs.
I would love to meet you and answer whatever questions you might have about our congregation, the Bible and what the Bible says about Lutheranism.
Pastor Russ
Mike Michalk, Associate Pastor
"A river runs through me"
I believe that God has made us His children through faith in Jesus Christ and has put us here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at this time to be faithful to His mission of making disciples of all nations by baptizing in His name and teaching His Word. I believe that there is no better way for us to do this than through the daily Lutheran Christian education given at Epiphany through Shepherd’s Fold Daycare, Little Lamb Preschool, Eau Claire Lutheran School, and weekly worship services and Bible studies.
I grew up at Faith Lutheran Church and School in Tucson, Arizona. I have always wanted to have the opportunity to be the pastor of a church with a school, and in April of 2006 that dream came true when the Lord called me through the people of Epiphany Lutheran Church to be their associate pastor. Previously I was a missionary church planter in Manteno, Illinois from 1990 – 93 and then a missionary to the Hispanic community in Chicago from 1993 – 2001. From 2001 – 2005 I was the pastoral representative of Camp Lutherhoma outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Favorite Bible Verse
John 7: 37-38 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
Growing up in the southwestern desert, I have always had an appreciation for water! I love the many passages in God’s Word which use the imagery of water to communicate something about the Spirit and the love of God. I believe that God pours His gifts into me on a daily basis and I find real joy and purpose in life by pouring those gifts on into the lives of the students and families at ECLS.
Favorite Book
Anything by Cormac McCarthy. I love the way he describes the “old west” and old Mexico.
Favorite Song
I have many favorites in all genres of music. My favorite hymn is “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness.”
If I were an animal I’d be…a raptor of some sort.
I have always loved watching eagles and hawks soaring on the thermals. Whenever we travel I am always looking out for these majestic birds. When I spot one I have a habit of saying to my wife Kathy, “Look! An eagle! Or a raptor of some sort…” I say it so often that she now makes fun of me with that phrase.
Our whole family feels very blessed to live in Eau Claire, which is such a beautiful part of the country. We love the outdoors and all critters and growing things. We live very close to the church and school and enjoy working outside in our own little piece of Wisconsin forest whenever we can.
Who is Pastor Mike?
My parents, Erwin and Barbara Michalk, live in the house where I grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I am very blessed to have such wonderful Christian parents.
My only sibling, my sister Cristine, lives in Giddings, Texas with her husband Wesley. She is a special education teacher in Bastrop, Texas. Their four children are all grown up and have flown the coop.
My wife, Kathy, is an ob/gyn physician at Marshfield Clinic/Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. She is an excellent surgeon as well as an excellent wife and mother. She is very talented musically and has a beautiful voice. We celebrated 20 years of marriage on May 24, 2007. Her parents, Mike & Phyllis, and her brother Mike (!) live in Brooklyn Center, a north suburb of Minneapolis. We love being close to them.
We have three daughters who all attend ECLS. Justine will be in first grade in 07-08, Josephine (Josie) will be in fifth grade, and Evangeline (Lena) will be in sixth. Completing the family is our dog Ginger, a Jack Russell terrier mix who often visits the school.