Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, 210 Pine St., has not held services in person throughout much of 2020. Like other churches, the COVID-19 pandemic was a factor in suspending services.

Having many elderly members potentially vulnerable to the virus prompted the church session, the group of leaders who run the church, to weigh in on the side of caution. Thereby, the in-person services were paused.

Also, the church had been without a home pastor for an extended period of time. For some churches, these two circumstances could have been a knockout blow.

The session met the twin challenges head on.

In November, church leaders interviewed a man they considered a dynamic candidate to become their new pastor. At a subsequent congregation meeting, the Rev. Robert “Bobby” Thomas Newman was called to be the new pastor. He officially begins Jan. 1, 2021.

The church tackled the other issue of no in-person services by developing online videos and inspirational presentations by various members that can be viewed online on the church Facebook page and on YouTube.

Church member Connor Smith lights the three Advent candles signifying hope, peace and joy in a Dec. 13 online service. Debbie Smith read from the book of Isaiah and the New Testament - words Paul wrote to the Galatians.

The readings and videos are heartfelt, uplifting efforts during this holiday season. The hope is to work to keep the spiritual needs of the congregation nourished until the pandemic recedes, leading to a return to in-person services.

The church, online or otherwise, anticipates the Dec. 25 holiday of Christmas commemorating the birth of Jesus.

The church also greatly anticipates the arrival of Newman and the several COVID-19 vaccines, two of which being administered in December, and may end the pandemic some time during 2021.

Like every one and every organization across America, the church seeks a return to a normal, pre-pandemic life.

As Janet Dorwart, clerk of session, said in a recent interview, she is confident the church will be “bigger and better than ever before.”