We are all familiar with the well-known adage, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Many times it is said in reference to a romantic relationship, but in this case it applies to pastor and parishioners being able to worship the Lord together again at Rosemont Lutheran Church, Bethlehem after four long months.

The last time the congregation of Rosemont – a cornerstone of faith in West Bethlehem since 1920 – gathered for worship before suspending services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was March 8.

It would be four months until the Rev. Jack Steltzer, pastor, and members could join together as a faith community to worship July 12 in the current church building constructed in 1954, albeit with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

The warm summer sun shone brightly as the congregation assembled again July 19 for a Sunday morning service with precautions still in place and joy in members’ hearts to be able to worship together.

“Jesus shows us there is hope for all in what God has done and in what God is doing,” Steltzer told the congregation in his reflection during the service. “May that hope be seen in our response to the world as we discover and share God’s love, which continues to bring light into the darkness of our mixed up, imperfect world.”

The church has to adhere to a 25 percent seating capacity. “We’ll adjust as the situation warrants and continue to follow the governor’s mandates,” said Steltzer.

The COVID-19 precautions are first seen as you enter the church and parishioner Larry Kirk greets you with a smile and a temperature check. As the Sunday service begins at 9:30 a.m., the doors to the church are locked at 9:35 a.m. This is necessary to enforce mask wearing and to maintain safe distancing.

Instead of everyone processing to the altar to receive communion, Steltzer consecrates the bread and wine at the altar and members receive a fellowship cup – juice and wafer for communion – in a plastic worship bag and partake of the communion elements in their pew. The bag also includes a worship bulletin, prayer request card, extra offering envelope, communion card, pencil and napkins. Parishioners dispose of the bags in a trash receptacle on the way out of church.

A number of pews are roped off for social distancing, and members must sit six feet apart unless they are sitting with family. Everyone is required to wear a mask throughout the service and unfortunately there is no singing of hymns or responsive prayer, as they are a hazard in regard to spreading the virus. Therefore Bibles and hymnals have been removed from the pews in use. The service is an adapted version of the Morning Prayer Service.

The passing of the peace has been suspended, and the church is routinely and vigorously sanitized. Parishioners must enter through the side ramp door, and individuals are provided with hand sanitizer as they enter and exit the building.

Following the closing hymn and Benediction, the greeter dismisses parishioners row by row to exit through the side doorway at the rear of the church. Water fountains in the hallways are not available for use, and small water bottles are available.

The COVID-19 precautions apply to Sunday morning worship and all services, including weddings and funerals.

Unique and timely musical selections are played at the service during these times of COVID-19. The July 19 service featured “Be A Light,” performed by Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Hillary Scott and Reba McEntire. The Sunday service on July 26 featured Dolly Parton’s “When Life Is Good Again,” which reflects the pandemic and how blessed everyone will be when it is over – when life is good again.

Parishioners happily embraced being able to gather together again in God’s house and for the ensuing coffee hour in Laros Hall, including Kenny and Linda Schaefer, members since 2017.

“We’re very happy to finally be back open. We love our community at Rosemont very much,” said Linda, adding members usually look out for each other but haven’t been able to do that.

Kenny said they appreciate the feeling of normalcy attending the Sunday service and coffee hour provides. “It’s been six months since we’ve seen some people. We’re eager to be back but we have to be careful.”

Originally from New York, the retired couple recently made their first visit to a restaurant just the other week. Kenny said since they are retired, the pandemic has been a bit easier on them in that they don’t have to worry about going into work or their income being affected, “but it’s still difficult.”

Linda’s immune system is compromised so they have to be especially careful. “It is really good to come back here and see everyone and talk with Pastor Jack and other members,” Linda said, noting being there was “a small, little piece of normalcy” that helps ease the anxiety they are feeling during the pandemic.

The couple was visiting their daughter in Florida when the pandemic restrictions hit full force, and they flew home in late March. They live with their other daughter and her two children, ages six and nine. The COVID restrictions clash with children’s natural energy, and they’ve been trying to keep them occupied playing games, including Parcheesi, and running through the sprinkler during this heat wave. Kenny noted they’ve been trying to purchase a swimming pool but merchants have been sold out.

Linda said she hasn’t really been out much at all during the pandemic due to her compromised immune system; her husband and daughter have been taking care of necessities such as grocery shopping.

The couple is used to being active at Rosemont, such as helping with the parish’s yard sale, which has been on hold since April, and attending weeknight dinner gatherings. They miss that involvement, but recently helped with some weeding on the church property.

Larry Kirk has been a Rosemont parishioner for 10 years; his wife Sandy, who serves as the church council secretary, has been a member for two decades.

“I’m so happy to be back and see people,” said Larry, who helps out with the church website and does the taping and editing for services that have been posted and will be posted in the future on the church’s website https://rosemontlutheranchurch.org/ for people who are not yet able to attend services in person.

Church bulletins are mailed to parishioners in advance of Sunday so they may follow along with the service while watching online.

“I really missed Easter,” Sandy said. “I enjoy it here, there are good people who come here.”

In addition to the parish website, Rosemont also has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RosemontLutheranChurch to help the church community stay linked in faith.

In the midst of the pandemic, the church is still looking forward to celebrating its centennial this year, though the planning continues to be on hold. A celebratory anniversary dinner will be planned for later this year.

When parishioners are able to rejoice together to commemorate 100 years of faith, it seems likely the festivities will take on an even deeper meaning in the age of COVID-19.

“The Church Council and I will continue to create protocols and practices that keep us as safe as possible and keep us focused on new and adaptive ways in which we must continue to pursue our mission of making Christ known in our city, our synod and around the world,” Steltzer said.