FEBRUARY 2006
called to word and Sacrament ministry at Rosemont Church. My ministry is devoted to helping those who want
to fulfill the purpose of this congregation. I preach, administer the Sacraments, teach, and equip the members of
Rosemont Church to fulfill our mission together as the Body of Christ in this place.
The Annual Report is a summary of statistics and messages that enables us to measure our effectiveness in
mission and ministry. The membership report for 2005 shows that we lost about 3% our confirmed members.
However, the worship attendance report shows an increase of 10% in weekly worship participation. This means
we have more people at worship with less people on our member rolls.
God commissioned the Church to, "go and make disciples... I give thanks to God for the enthusiasm I see and
hear among an increasing number among us who seek to becomes more intention in efforts to share our Christian
faith with friends, neighbors, and family Thank you to all the coordinators, and to those formal and informal
leaders who have taken on extra duties in the past year. We have proven again that this Church stands together
and is committed to service and meeting the needs of others.
Our life of faith in the world is nurtured and nourished by God's gift of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The
Gifts of God are offered to the people of god in order that, forgiven, we may be strengthened and renewed for
mission and ministry in the world. Statistics suggest that regular worship has grown in importance for more of
us. Our average worship attendance has grown fro 91 in 2003, to 94 in 2004, and to 103 in 2005. Faithful
participation at the Lord's Supper is one means God uses to equip us for faithful discipleship in the world.
God calls the Church to grow in discipleship, one expression of which is our stewardship response. Giving be
members in 2005 to current expenses increased by $7,278. over 2004. Members returned 94 communion cards
totaling $124,516., a significant increaser for 82 cards totaling $92,548. in 2004. These figures make us alert to
the major challenge for faithful people of God to grow in our stewardship response to God's blessings to us. If
you feel blessed by God, surely you will want to make your offerings to Him accordingly.
God call the Church to mission in the world. The Annual Report reflects our commitment to mission locally,
synodically, and globally. We have increase our commitment to the ministries of Bethlehem, Area Council of
Churches and Lutheran Congregational Services, increased our Synod/ELCA benevolence for $9,000. in 2004 to
$10,000. in 2005, and $12,000. for 2006, and supported a number of special appeals for the West Bethlehem,
Emergency y food Bank, and Disaster Response. Contributions of Disaster Response in 2205 (Tsunami and
Hurricane Katrina relief) totals $3,021., compared to $130. in 2004. Many of us are committed to steadily
growing the percentage of funding devoted to mission needs beyond our own congregation. I share that
commitment!
But numbers don't tell the whole story. They simply reflect issues of accountability and responsibility. I give
thanks to God for the dedicated staff and volunteers who make possible a multitude of opportunities for people of
all ages to study God's word and will, and respond! Some members work diligently to prepare and provide rich
worship opportunities, others work to connect us to meaningful service to the need in the congregation and
community, some work to call, equip, and challenge us to more intentional efforts to witness to our faith as God
gives us opportunity. Their work is directly related to our mission and ministry as the people of God gathered at
Rosemont Lutheran Church.
We must move quickly to respond to the privilege God gives this Church to expand its mission and ministry. The
most important task of each of us to be earnest and aggressive in our daily prayers asking God to make clear His
will for us and this Church. What do you perceive God's call to us and our Church to be?
Blessed by God with history and tradition, our call to expand mission and ministry in our community and in the
world has never been greater. It was, in so many ways, an extraordinary year in the life of this extraordinary
congregation. The year ahead will be equally important. I am more grateful than I have words to express for
your encouragement and confidence, your generous support, and your prayers. I continue to be blessed by the
privilege of serving as your Pastor.
Pastor Steltzer
Editor's Note
The pastor's article in this month's Sharing is taken from the 2005 Annual Report Booklet. Many members and
friends do not receive the booklet, but do receive the newsletter. Hopefully, they will be responsive to this
message!