For nearly four decades, he’s spread the word of God all from the same parish.

After over 37 years of faithful service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmerton, Pastor Jody Neifert has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year.

“I think you just feel when it’s time,” said Neifert, 63. “This whole process of retiring feels like a death in the family.”

Fortunately for Neifert, an event planned specifically for him this weekend will feel much more like a celebration.

Farewell walk-through

In honor of Neifert’s legacy, a retirement celebration will be held by way of a COVID-safe farewell walk-through from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday in St. John’s Social Hall.

All of Neifert’s parishioners, colleagues, family and friends are welcome to join in and celebrate and wish him and his wife, Kim, well.

Those who attend are asked to come and walk through at a safe distance, and they are encouraged to leave congratulations cards, notes or letters for him.

“It’s wonderful and humbling,” he said. “For someone with such a public persona, I’m a very private person.”

While it’s been difficult to alter services through COVID-19, the church has been able to thrive, according to Neifert’s wife, Kim.

“We did 32 parking lot services from March through the end of October,” Kim said. “We averaged 58 cars, and had 98 cars on Easter.

Neifert said he’s proud of the fact he never missed a Sunday of in-person worship.

“I was lucky enough to have my wife, family and faithful friends and members of the congregation,” he said. “We’re lucky that we had the skills, and that we had the ability to have family service.”

Neifert said that before COVID-19, the church averaged a weekly attendance of about 130 parishioners.

While a successor has yet to be determined, Neifert said the average open church is around 18 months.

“Many mainline churches are on the decline,” he said. “We have a really good group of people who can step up.”

Neifert said they are still broadcasting communion Sundays, and will bring communion to the parishioners in the church parking lot.

Starting out

Neifert began his stint as pastor of the church on June 1, 1983, despite not having been ordained at that time.

He succeeded the late Pastor M. Luther Wahrmann, and noted that church has a history of long-serving pastors, of which Neifert is the 10th.

Since the church opened in 1798, he said four of the pastors - himself included - have accounted for 156 of those years.

When asked what his favorite part has been, Jody responded “the people.”

“It really has become our family,” he said. “It’s a tremendous privilege to be allowed into the most important part of people’s lives.”

Kim said she believes the bishop did a very good job of matching her husband with the church.

She should know, having run the Sunday school and children’s music and holiday programs for over 30 years.

“Being a pastor is a life,” she said. “It’s not a job, it’s a life.”

Taking the next step

Neifert resides in Franklin Township with Kim, with whom he will celebrate 40 years of marriage in June.

When asked what his plans are, Neifert said he really has none, noting that he and Kim have traveled extensively throughout the country over the years.

In his spare time, Neifert said he plans to play music (guitar), read and enjoys watching the History Channel.

As he prepares to call it a day being a pastor, Neifert said he wanted to pass along two important lessons he’s learned.

“Life isn’t fair,” he said. “And the only thing that counts is forgiveness and laughter.”