Immanuel’s mission is to “Equip Saints to Make Disciples.” In this portion of our Messenger, we highlight one of our “saints,” Terry Krueger, who is living out her Christian calling, successfully integrating faith into her everyday life.
Since joining Immanuel 12 years ago, Terry has gotten involved in ministry at Immanuel by serving in a variety of leadership roles in all seasons. In the holiday season, she sets up the Giving Tree project and is a chairwoman of the Christmas Mission Community Dinner. In the spring, she coordinates the Lenten Soup Suppers and prepares the Easter Baskets for Shut-ins. She also arranges the Confirmation Recognition Brunch. Year-round, she leads the Kitchen Committee and Young at Heart, and is one of Immanuel’s three Thrivent Congregational Coordinators.
Terry says the ministry she is currently most passionate about is Young at Heart. Young at Heart provides fellowship and activities to adults ages 62 and up from Immanuel and the surrounding community. Usually the group enjoys four events per year, one during each season (i.e. the baseball game is held in the summer).
This ministry was originally organized by the Halstead ChristCare group, and Terry had assisted them with getting Thrivent support for the new venture. Impressed with Terry’s organizational skills, Eleanor Potratz (a member of the Halstead ChristCare group) approached Terry about becoming the ministry’s chair. Terry agreed, and has now been leading the group for three years.
“I would like to acknowledge what a wonderful committee I am blessed to serve on” Terry says of her Young at Heart ministers. “They are a prime example of what a committee should be.”
The Young at Heart group has been working hard to plan events that are fun and outreach-focused.
“One of my goals for [Young at Heart] is to reach out into the community,” Terry says. “I’m very strong and passionate about it…we need to invite others in from the community.”
At the April 18th Spring Fling, about 50 people enjoyed a hot lunch and the light-hearted jokes and personal recollections of storyteller Dr. D. Light. Terry says she was very excited that the event attracted five guests as well as a recent new member to Immanuel.
“I make it a point to introduce guests to the group and make them feel a part of everything,” Terry says.
Young at Heart’s next get-together will be Saturday, June 27th in the Field House, beginning with social time at 11:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch. After the meal everyone will play Bunco, a dice game Terry promises is easy to learn and fun!
Terry says it’s important to her to be an example of a Christ-like person, and she is most comfortable demonstrating her faith by serving others. Her advice to others wishing to do the same is to “focus your sight on God and the service you’re providing.”
She also cautions, “Listens to the people you’re serving but don’t get hung up on [their negative feedback].”
Terry says this is a lesson she’s had to learn over the years. “If I’m serving people and get hung up on their complaints, then I feel I’m not serving God and need to [reset my focus and] serve with a cheerful heart.”
One of the ways Terry keeps her faith pointing in the right direction is through time spent reading daily devotions. She says she has found it helpful to order devotionals through Lutheran Hour Ministries and have them emailed to her workplace and her home. Terry often reads the material first thing in the morning at work, but likes the convenience of accessing it on her home computer on weekend mornings. “I know it’s ready for me at work and at home when I need to look at it,” she says.
Terry says her workplace, Concordia, also keeps her faith walk motivated. “It is such a faith-filled environment and a wonderful example of faith in action,” she says.
To get to know this Saint in Service better, and for more information about Young at Heart, talk to Terry Krueger at the 8:00 service.