Pastor Mark Eliason
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, First Lutheran Church and Palisade Lutheran ChurchDecember 03, 2025At the front of almost every Lutheran church, for the four Sundays before Christmas you will see a wreath with five candles on it. Four around the outside of the wreath and a larger one in the middle of the wreath. The four candles represent the themes of Advent which are hope, peace, joy and love, and one candle is lit each Sunday representing the theme of the day. But why do we do this, and…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran Church, Rock CountySeptember 10, 2025Grief is a powerful thing. It can, and often does, take control of our lives in ways we never thought possible. Much of the time we feel alone and as though no one understands how we are feeling and that no one can ever understand or help us through our grief. This past year I have been feeling this way. Since the beginning of 2025 up to today, I have lost 11 friends and loved ones to death;…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran Church, Rock CountyJune 18, 2025It's mid-June, and we are well into summer. School is done for the year, and all the school activities like football, basketball, track, volleyball and all the rest are on a break, at least for most. With summer break also come trips to the lake, family vacations, and with all those things to distract us, Sunday morning worship tends to be put lower on the priority list than other things. I…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran Church, Rock CountyMarch 26, 2025In the 13th chapter of Luke, Luke writes about sin and punishment. In this passage Jesus asks, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran Church, Rock CountyDecember 11, 2024And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49 (NRSV) Imagine, if you can, the story of a young girl, around 14 years old, engaged to a man she barely knows…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, First Lutheran Church and Palisade Lutheran ChurchSeptember 25, 2024For years churches have been coming up with ways to give people the opportunity to worship with their congregation. Since the early 1930s, churches have broadcast their services on the radio. One of the longest-running radio broadcasts is Lutheran Vespers. It has been on the air since the mid ’50s and continues today on radio stations in the Chicago area. Also, for years many congregations…
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