Faith can move mountains … and sometimes moves the faithful to join together to form a new family of faith. That’s what happened in a watershed moment when two Bethlehem Lutheran parishes – Rosemont Lutheran Church and Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church – voted Dec. 3 to merge and create the new parish of Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont.

It seems fitting the vote was taken at a congregational meeting after the morning service at Rosemont on the first Sunday of Advent, a season of hope in preparation for Christmas, and now also a season of hope for a new vibrant congregation.

The first vote was the merger vote, with each congregation voting separately; the vote was 132-14 in favor of merging. At the same meeting, church members voted 125-8 to call Rosemont Pastor Jack Steltzer to serve as pastor of the new congregation.

The congregation blended their voices during a hymn sing led by Mark Suter, Rosemont organist, while ballots were being counted. Members of the congregation selected the hymns.

Music for the service was provided by Suter, as well as the Blessed Trinity Choir, directed by Linda Maule of Blessed Trinity.

“What a rewarding experience it’s been working together with so many wonderful people to form this sacred union of our churches,” Pastor Steltzer said. Ordained in June 1992, Pastor Steltzer began his pastorate at Rosemont the Sunday after Easter 2003.

“It’s not just a merger of buildings, but a blending of histories, hearts and spirits. The shared commitment of the members of Rosemont and Blessed Trinity is a testament to the boundless possibilities when God’s people unite.”

“As we begin this journey together my hope is that the tapestry of our collective faith weaves a story of resilience, compassion and enduring love, reflecting the divine grace that unites us all,” Pastor Steltzer said.

As Kenda Riley, president of Blessed Trinity Church Council, said after the vote, “We are home!” which prompted rousing cheers and enthusiastic applause from the congregation.

The new congregation will worship at Rosemont at 1705 W. Broad St., a cornerstone of faith in the Christmas City since 1920. The original church – located behind Rosemont in the alley – is now Iglesia de Cristo Misionera “Neuvo Pacto,” an Hispanic Pentecostal church. Pastor Steltzer said the original church is affectionately known as “the little brown church.”

The current Rosemont church building was constructed in 1954, a mid-20th century staple of the stretch of Bethlehem’s Broad Street that links that city to Allentown.

Blessed Trinity was formed in February through the merger of three churches: St. John’s Windish Lutheran and St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran in Southside Bethlehem and Light of Christ Lutheran at 2020 Worthington Ave., which became the home of Blessed Trinity.

The merger with Rosemont really comprises the merging of six Lutheran churches, an historic first in the Bethlehem area.

“The journey began over six years ago with the unification of St. Matthew’s and Messiah Lutheran churches which became Light of Christ,” Riley said. “Light of Christ and St. Peter’s Lutheran churches, joined to form the United Proclamation of the Gospel. St. Peter’s, Light of Christ and St. John’s Windish then merged to form Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church in February of 2023,” Riley explained.

“Additionally, the three churches were sold with the intent to find a new home for the newly formed community of faith. This spirit-driven journey continued with the search for a property that met our needs,” Riley said.

“Enter Pastor Jack Seltzer and the congregation of Rosemont Lutheran with a generous offer of a building and a pastor, along with the unification with another community of faith, the creation of Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont! An historic unification of six Lutheran congregations into a thriving, vibrant community of faith ready to journey forward to do God’s work, growing as a community and helping our brothers and sisters in need.”

Pastor Steltzer noted Bethlehem realtor Lucy Lennon was instrumental in bringing the two churches together.

Members of the newly formed congregation gathered after the service for a catered luncheon in Laros Hall, giving an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Lorraine Goff, president of Rosemont’s church council, was enthusiastic about the merger. “I think it’s great, it’s best for everybody. We can do many more things and help more people,” Goff said during the luncheon.

“And Pastor was perfect,” she said of Pastor Steltzer.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing for the church,” Richard Lindner, a 40-year member of Rosemont, said.

Frank Podleiszek, age 88, had been a member of St. John’s Windish his entire life. It was the church where he was baptized and performed his first solo – “Silent Night” in Windish – at age 10. He was very active at St. John’s, including serving as archivist. “They made me an angel with a pin, I was so active,” he said.

“St. John’s has always been my first love, but Rosemont is very much second in line,” Podleiszek said while enjoying the food and fellowship at the luncheon. “They’ve been very welcoming and made me feel at home. From the first time I came, Pastor Jack was very welcoming, I felt like I belonged.”

Podleiszek enjoyed the lunch with Mary Karol, a member of St. John’s for 57 years and the church’s main cook for the past 35 years. Karol shared fond memories of St. John’s, a church she noted was built by members who worked at such places as the former Bethlehem Steel.

Karol put her cooking talents to use the day before at Rosemont, as she whipped up a lunch of chicken paprikash and other goodies for the 17 people who came to decorate three Christmas trees – one each in the sanctuary, the narthex and hall.

Pastor Steltzer said it was a “big joint effort” to decorate the trees, which represented each of the three churches of St. John’s Windish, St. Peter’s and Light of Christ. Gail Nemeth organized the tree-trimming festivities.

It was a defining moment earlier this year when Blessed Trinity was formed by the blending of Light of Christ, St. John’s Windish and St. Peter’s. The churches – including Light of Christ’s predecessors St. Matthew’s and Messiah, had more than 300 years of combined ministry to their congregations, dating to the 19th century. All three church properties were purchased by Lehigh University in May 2023. Since the sale of the properties, the Blessed Trinity congregation has been worshipping at the former Light of Christ location via a temporary lease arrangement with Lehigh.

The celebratory “leave-taking” services, which ended worship at each of the founding churches, drew attendance of 200-300 worshippers, some from other states and European countries. St. Peter’s was founded by German settlers in Bethlehem. St. John’s was established by the Slovenian citizens of Bethlehem, and the church has maintained strong ties to the Lutheran Church in Slovenia.

The newly formed congregation of Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, like its predecessor churches, will be affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Deacon Travis Woodfield represented the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America in witnessing and supervising the pastoral election process.