This month, it is my pleasure to announce two special occasions when we as a congregation wish to bestow a small token of blessing upon two people who have so blessed our congregation and the community.

GENE HARRIS has been a faithful member of the congregation for more years than I have been here. Gene is known all over the Western Michigan area for his superb jazz saxophone artistry. Most of us have heard him on many occasions in many settings. Each time we hear him, we are “wowed” by his playing.

Gene Harris has been continually generous here at church with both his instrumental and his vocal gifts. He usually has music jobs he is playing on Saturday nights. Never has he said to me, “Sorry, I was out too late on Saturday night; can’t help you out on Sunday.” He has always been ready to help musically unless he was out of town.

Our congregation and the community of Big Rapids are honoring Gene Harris on Tuesday evening, June 19th, at 7:00 pm here at Immanuel Lutheran Church. We will have a special concert involving many people whom Gene has touched with not only his musical spirit but his Godly spirit. Gene will perform with one of the groups he is often featured with, Elbow Room. He will also perform with a saxophone quintet he’s been with for ten years, of which I am also a part, The Don’t Get No Respect Saxophone Gang, We will then put the two groups together so that Gene can solo on some of those big band classics, like Caravan and Once in While. We’ll probably also get him to do a couple of those Gospel song solos he has played so marvelously to the glory of God during worship.

The admission is free. We will serve refreshments following the concert. Come! Enjoy a night of fabulous music! Come honor a man who has been a real musical blessing to many.

MAHLON HERRICK has been a member of our congregation from way back. I met Mahlon and his wife Myrtle in the first years of my ministry here. He and his family had been active in our congregation for many years. Not long after I met them, Myrtle passed away. Soon after Myrtle’s funeral, Mahlon thought of an excellent way not only to bless the memory of Myrtle, but to be a blessing to our entire congregation.

With a generous financial gift from Mahlon and the rest of his family, we were able to create the Myrtle A. Herrick Memorial Fund. At the first meeting, Mahlon articulated his wishes for this fund: “I want you to be able to offer a stipend to anyone in this congregation who wants to pursue more education. Yes, a young person going from high school to a college or university for a degree is fine. But, I mean anyone. If someone wants to go to a business school for a year’s training, I want this to help them, too. It doesn’t matter how old or young they are!” I remember him saying that last sentence with emphasis.
Mahlon Herrick has been living in Florida for many years, yet I can count on the fact that sometime during each summer; he will come up to see “how Immanuel is doing.” I certainly can assure him that Immanuel is doing absolutely splendidly with the Myrtle A. Herrick Memorial Fund. Since 1992, we have been able to grant over $19,000 to 24 different recipients! Talk about “being a blessing to others!”

Though many people in our congregation know the name Herrick, many have never met Mahlon himself. On Sunday, June 17th, at the 9:30 -10:30 fellowship time, Mahlon Herrick will be here. We will pay special tribute to him then, and during the 10:30 worship service.

What a privilege and a great blessing from a mighty and generous God to have both of these gentlemen as members of our congregation! And what a privilege for us to honor them.
And remember to lift them to God in prayerful praise and gratitude for their blessed presence in the lives of many, many people—and let us all ask for their continued safety and joy in this world.
Pastor Garrels