Worship Notes: Children's Lessons

The children's lesson is a novelty within the Divine Service.  For almost the entirety of Christendom, the Church met without a children's lesson as part of the Divine Service.  

It should be noted that the Bible neither commands nor forbids children's lessons.  Although, proponents for children's lesson get close to accusing those who do not practice them as sinning against children.  They will cite the women bringing the children to Jesus for him to bless them, and especially Jesus rebuking the apostles for keeping them away.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14).  The women did not bring their children to Jesus during synagogue worship.  So, to equate this verse with a children's lesson is a bit misleading.  

But if anyone insists on equating Jesus' blessing the children with children's lessons, then perhaps we should consider the earlier part of this reading: "Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them" (Matthew 19:13).  Is everyone comfortable with the pastor laying his hands on the children?  In our modern climate, I fear legal charges could arise.

I have heard some people go so far as to say, "If a church does not have children's lessons, they don't care about the children."  That charge is pure manipulation.  It also condemns centuries of churches and pastors who never had them.  

I opt to not include children's lessons in the Divine Service.  There are a number of reasons for this.  In no particular order, they include:

1)  It segregates part of the congregation.

Having a portion of the service for just one segment of the congregation is divisive.  If there is a lesson tailored to children, what about the teens?  What about twenty-somethings?  What about those newly married or recently widowed?  Doesn't Jesus have a special message just for them?

The Divine Service is where the entire family of God joins together for worship, regardless of sex, age, marital status, and so forth.  All sing together, pray together, and listen together.  As the children grow older, they will gain more from the service.  And they probably are getting more out of the service than parents realize.

2)  There are already many children's lessons.

St. John's is blessed to have a Lutheran elementary school in which Bible History lessons are taught daily.  There are also weekly chapel services.  And there is Sunday School.  These lessons are already tailored to their age levels.

If the parents are eager for the children's lesson to take place, I offer this solution: The parents can talk to their children about the sermon at home.  This reinforces for the entire family the theme for the day, and it teaches the children that the parents consider the sermon and the service worthy of meditation beyond Sunday morning.

3)  The children's lesson is a distraction from the liturgy.

The children's lesson interrupts the flow of the service as the pastor waits for children to come down from all parts of the sanctuary and settle in.  After the lesson, the children return to their seats.  Depending upon how long the pastor takes to teach the lesson, it is a five-minute break from the liturgy.  If a children's lesson is necessary, it can be done outside of the liturgical order.  And it is (cf point #2).

4)  The children's lesson teaches the children that the rest of the service is not for them.

This is the most grievous lesson learned from having children's lessons.  The children are summoned for a portion of the service which is "just for them."  If that part is for them, by implication the rest is not.  Why pay attention to the sermon when they already got their part done?  

Sadly, adults have also remarked that they get more out of the children's lesson than they do the sermon.  I suppose this is to be understood as an endorsement of the children's lesson.  I would consider it an indictment, either of the pastor delivering a poor, incoherent sermon or of the listener not wanting to put in the effort of intentional listening.  Sesame Street is easier to comprehend than 60 Minutes, but I hope adults would recognize that 60 Minutes has more substantive content.

5)  The children's lesson is a time for amusement.

Another appeal for the children's lesson is the response that comes from children when questions are asked of them.  After all, Kids Say the Darndest Things.  Everyone looks forward to a chuckle.  But if we come to church looking for a chuckle, we have missed the point of the Divine Service.  The entire Divine Service is a time when we stand in the presence of our Lord.  This is holy ground.  Whenever people encountered our Lord in the Bible, no one was yucking it up.  So, this levity is out of place for sinners yearning for God's mercy.  There is a time and place for amusement.  The Divine Service is not it. 

Every practice in the Divine Service deserves to be evaluated.  Some practices demonstrate reverence and avoid frivolity.  Other practices detract from the sense of awe and glory that is worthy of our Lord.  Not all practices are in the best interest of teaching the Christian faith, even if they are not strictly forbidden.

Pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake City, Minnesota

This is the biography which was included in the bulletin for my installation on Sunday, July 12.  The preacher for the day was my classmate and brother-in-law, Rev. Daniel Schmidt.

Pastor Schroeder’s Biography

            Thomas E. Schroeder (Come on!  His parents didn’t name him “Pastor”!) was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on November 28, 1967 to Earl and Mary Ellen Schroeder.  Shortly thereafter, he was reborn of water and the word at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sheboygan.  He was raised in Sheboygan and attended grade school at Calvary.  He attended Manitowoc Lutheran High School.  His pre-ministerial training was at Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin.  (Northwestern has since been amalgamated with Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota under the name of Martin Luther College.)  Upon graduation from Northwestern in 1990, he attended Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin, serving a vicar year at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jenera, Ohio.

            In 1992, he married Laura Schmidt of Noblesville, Indiana.  Laura spent a number of years as a stay-at-home-Mom, and also spent many years teaching in Lutheran schools, specifically St. Peter’s in Plymouth, MI and St. Paul’s in Livonia, MI.  Laura and Pastor Schroeder have been blessed with six children—Faith (Milwaukee, WI), Nathanael (Bluffton, IN and to be married to Sarah Gigli in April 2027), Andrew (Shelby Twp., MI), Caleb (Saginaw, MI; married to Caitlin, who is expecting Pastor and Laura’s first grandchild in August), Philip (Lake City, MI—yeah, that’s right, there’s one in Michigan), and Peter (who will be attending Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw for his senior year).  Pastor and Laura were anticipating a seventh child, but he was stillborn.  Isaac Christopher awaits the resurrection at Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia, MI.

From left to right: Pastor, Laura, Nathanael, Sarah, Faith, Philip, Peter, Andrew, Caitlin, Caleb

            After graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1994, Pastor Schroeder was assigned to be an instructor at West Lutheran High School (currently located in Plymouth, Minnesota).  He taught religion and Latin and served as Recruitment Preacher / Director.

            After two years there, he opted to be reassigned through the Seminary to be a parish pastor.  In 1996, he, Laura and, at the time, two children moved to Novi, Michigan where he was installed as the pastor at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Pastor Schroeder served at Good Shepherd for thirty years. 

            Pastor Schroeder has a blog—www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com—mainly for posting sermons.  He also occasionally posts other items such as family events, “Local Tourist” postings, things that he finds amusing, or pastoral concerns.  Please note: If you search for Pastor Schroeder’s Facebook page, you will find it.  However, that particular Facebook page belongs to the pastor of Good Shepherd, Novi.  An attempt was made to change the name to something generic, but Facebook was not having it.  If you request Pastor Schroeder as a friend on that Facebook page, it will not be acted upon.  The account will fade and later be adopted by the next pastor at Good Shepherd.

            Pastor and Laura Schroeder like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and … oh, wait, wrong reference.  Pastor and Laura Schroeder enjoy camping, reading, taking walks, playing cards and board games, and exploring the area they live in.  Both have sung in choirs.  They are loyal Green Bay Packer fans (your groan here), but they are not obnoxious about it. 

            Pastor and Laura are eager to get to know the members of St. John’s and the community of Lake City.  Pastor Schroeder desires to be a faithful pastor to you.  He seeks your prayers and support so that he can fulfill his vow to be faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.  By exalting and proclaiming Christ, he hopes to show you the Savior to whom you can flee for comfort, hope, and peace.

Bible Bits -- Genesis 24:59-60

From my Bible reading a few days ago, I encountered the arrangement of the marriage between Isaac (secured by Abraham's servant, Eliezer) and Rebekah.  To American sensibilities, this arrangement is insane.  She goes with a man she has barely met to marry a man she has never met.  She is aware of some family ties, and she can see that her husband is a pretty rich man.  But that seems to be too little information to agree to a life-long union.  Nevertheless, she goes.

Perhaps even more grating on the ears of Americans is the blessing she receives from her family.  They do not say, "May you prosper greatly in your career.  May you be recognized with promotions and awards.  May you do great things and advance far in the company you work for."  They do not say, "You have won the lottery!  You are going to the house of wealth and luxury.  May you be pampered and increase in vast wealth!"

Here is the blessing they give: So they sent all of them on their way—their sister Rebekah with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. They blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring take possession of the gates of those who hate them" (Genesis 24:59-60).

This goes far beyond, "I hope you have a nice family."  They bless her to be "the mother of thousands of ten thousands."  It would be Rebekah's greatest blessing to be a mother of many children.  (As it turns out, she struggled with infertility for twenty years and was blessed only with a set of twins.)

Americans have forsaken the idea that children are a blessing from the Lord--certainly many children.  We focus on ourselves, our careers, our goals, and our pleasures.  We have been trained to believe that children stand in the way of fulfilling these things.  They demand time.  They are expensive.  They are a source of stress.

While some of that is true, it presents children as a curse to be endured instead of a blessing to be celebrated.  If something is worthwhile, don't we invest time and money and energy into it?  Even if something produces stress, isn't it because we actually care about what we are doing?

A career demands time.  A career saps your energy.  A career is a source of stress.  And yet, it is deemed a higher good and of greater value than having a large family.

This is demonic.  The devil hates marriage, family, and babies.  He has taught our society to adopt his ideas.  Even if we have not swallowed the devil's lies whole, we are influenced by them to some degree.  How many parents would bless their children as Rebekah was blessed?  If you did, how would that be received by your son or daughter?  And if other people saw a family which God blessed so richly, you can be sure that someone would make snide remarks about the large family, rebuking the parents for being irresponsible.  (True stories from the past.)

While there are many great things that can be achieved in a career, no man or woman will ever do anything more important than to raise their children in the love and discipline of the Lord.  And if you can love one or two, you will find that loving five or six is a wonderful blessing for you and for the children God gives you.

Traveling with the Schroeders--Noblesville, Indiana

On a visit to see Laura's mother, we enjoyed an few moments walking around the town square after fish and chips at Syd's Bar.

The White River, trickling through Noblesville. 

Family Fun Night at Good Shepherd

Come join us on Thursday, August 7 (6:00 - 8:00 PM).

Something from ... Gottesdienst on the importance of womanhood and motherhood

Rev. Larry Beane writes a commentary about the importance of womanhood and motherhood in particular.  He highlights a few articles about how motherhood is despised, and that "important" women are the ones who eschew motherhood for careers.  Somehow, our nation has adopted the idea that children are oppressive and to be avoided.  That spirit is not limited to women; men have bought into it as well.  Daughters are urged to have careers, but rarely are they urged to get married, have babies, and stay at home to raise them.  If that last sentence made you cringe, you have adopted the spirit of our age.  

Rev. Beane also highlights the predictable result of Christian women avoiding having babies.  By way of contrast, Muslim women are having many.  If anyone is lamenting the shrinking of the Chrisian church in America, please note that we are doing it to ourselves.  Why?  Because that's what our society has taught us to do.

What do the Scriptures say?  "God blessed (the man and the woman) and said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it'" (Genesis 1:28).  This is a blessing that extends to all mankind.  Multiplying, that is, having babies, is God's blessing.  It is not a curse or an oppression.  King Solomon wrote, "Indeed, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3).  Again, children are a reward, a blessing. 

The most important job a man and a woman have is raising their children.  They should give great care and attention to this and welcome children as the blessings God says they are.  Is it a lot of work?  Yes.  Everything worthwhile is.  Is it expensive?  Yes.  Life-long investments usually are.  Does it involve sacrifice?  Yes.  Parents give up a lot for the sake of their children.  But that's because children are the blessing, far more than money, travel, hobbies, and career.  Raising children is the most important work there is.

Rev. Larry Beane makes this point, and it is worth your reading.  Here is Something from ... Gottesdienst.

Something from ... Christian Life Resources about cohabitation before marriage

It has become commonplace for couples to move in together before they even consider marriage.  It is so common that even Christians have adopted this as a normal order of a relationship.  This is NOT what God has designed.  

In the letter to the Hebrews, the inspired writer states God's will: "Marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to be kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers" *(Hebrews 13:4).  Jesus repeated God's design which was established back in the Garden of Eden: “Haven’t you read that from the beginning their Maker ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).  We note that Jesus does not promote a move-in-and-try-it stage, but a union, that is, marriage.  Since this is God's design, it is good.  And within the union of marriage, sex is good.  Some translations even use the expression "pure" (e.g., NIV).  Any deviation from God's design is sin.

Cohabitation does not honor marriage or the marriage bed.  This deviation from God's word is not only sinful, it is also destructive.  God blesses those who honor his word.  People bring grief and a curse upon themselves for rebelling against God's word.  It does not matter how well-intentioned people are or how nice they are.  Cohabiting couples are sinning against God and his design for marriage.  And before anyone pleads about how committed they are in their live-in situation, I would ask, "If you are so committed, then why haven't you gotten married?"  That would proclaim before God and all the world how committed you are to each other.

The destructive nature of cohabitation was recently documented in an email from Christian Life Resources.  The statistics do not make any moral judgments about cohabitation (God's word does that); but they do show that cohabitation results in far more damage to families and children than most people would realize.  As a rule, it does not produce strong families.  

These statistics can be ignored to the detriment of children.  God's word can be ignored to the detriment of one's eternal well-being.  Take heed to the stats and to God's word.  Repent if it is necessary.  Reserve yourself for marriage if you are single.  Do not adopt worldly attitudes and behavior.  Jesus lived and died to pay for our sins and to set us apart from wickedness.  We rejoice in his gracious forgiveness, and we devote ourselves to his designs because they are good.

Here is something from Christian Life Resources:

The Plight of Harmed Children

Over the years, it seems that stories of neglected and abused children have increased. Some have suggested that the increasing numbers indicate better reporting. Others have argued that it represents a decline in the societal value of human life, particularly the value of children. Regardless of where you stand on that debate, the numbers are significantly alarming and provide valuable insight.

• About 1 in 4 American children today are born to cohabiting parents. The number of cohabiting couples with children under 18 nearly tripled from 1.2 million (1996) to 3.1 million (2014). 
• Children of cohabiting parents are three times more likely to experience the breakup of their family during their parents’ twenties than children born to married parents. Nearly half (about 50%) of parents cohabiting at the child’s birth break up within five years, compared to only 20% of married parents.
• Children living with married parents are less likely to be abused/neglected. A CDC study found single-parent children had more than double the risk of being physically abused or neglected.
• Children of single parents are twice as likely to have emotional and behavioral problems (8%) as those from two-parent households (4%).
• Children in divorced homes were twice as likely to be absent from school for 11+ days in a year because of illness or injury, compared to children in two-parent homes (6% vs. 3%).
• In Sweden, children raised by single parents were twice as likely to experience severe psychiatric disorders, suicide attempts, or alcohol addiction.
• Children in married-couple households: 11% poverty rate. Children in cohabiting opposite-sex couple households: 47% poverty rate. Children in single-mother households: 48% poverty rate
• Data from the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect indicate that children living with biological cohabiting parents are over four times more likely to be physically, sexually, or emotionally abused than those living with married biological parents.
• Children living with cohabiting biological parents show worse social, psychological, and educational results compared to those with married parents, even after controlling for race, income, and parental education. Outcomes include higher rates of drug use, depression, and school dropout.[1] 

Takeaway: While cohabitation may superficially resemble marriage, it does not provide the same level of safety, stability, or well-being for children as married-parent families. To put it another way, based solely on statistics and the understanding that children are needed to perpetuate the human race, it is in the best interest of children to be born into a traditional two-parent marriage rather than the alternatives.

[1] Source: https://tinyurl.com/yskupu92; https://tinyurl.com/yvxl2qdj

A Pastoral Concern -- On motherhood and children

It was in Bible Class a few weeks ago that I had the participants respond to this thought question: "Agree or Disagree?  Motherhood is despised in our nation."  The reactions were mixed.  Some thought that statement was far too strong.  I would contend that it is unarguable.

Here is a link to a video in which Planned Parenthood boasts how they have women's health care as their primary objective.  Repeatedly, the claim is made that Planned Parenthood provides prenatal health care to expectant mothers.  

Planned Parenthood denies claims that they are an abortion factory--invading the wombs of expectant mothers, killing the child that is growing inside her, and illegally selling the baby body parts (skip ahead to the 5:30 mark which notes that Planned Parenthood officials testified under oath that they did this).  And if you are curious, here is some of the undercover footage that the previous link refers to.  (Note: This video shows footage that can be very disturbing.  View at your own risk.)  Planned Parenthood's claim that they provide women's health care, in particular prenatal care, is at best a gross exaggeration.  The video linked above would tell you it is a lie.  

For Planned Parenthood to claim that they provide prenatal care (and in a few clinics, they do) is like McDonald's telling you that they sell ketchup.  It's there, but that is hardly the purpose for their existence.

Over the past several elections, abortion has been a key issue.  It is alarming how vehemently women fight for this to be a right.  In the case of Michigan, it is now a constitutional right.  How is it that the blessing God has given to women that they are able to conceive and give birth to babies is something that should be terminated, but that killing those babies in the womb is good and needs to be defended and funded with tax dollars?

This goes beyond abortion, unfortunately.  Many Christians (sadly, not all) rightly label abortion as murder and, therefore, evil.  But many Christians have also adopted the mentality that having many children is to be avoided.  Obviously, some married couples cannot have children; for reasons known only to God, he has chosen to withhold this blessing.  But many want to limit this blessing.

The Psalms teach us to confess, "Indeed, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward from him. Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (Psalm 127:3-5).  But are children viewed as a blessing?  Perhaps one or two, but after that maybe not so much.

In what other area of life would we avoid more blessings?  Who says, "I have too much money.  I've got to avoid getting more"?  "That's too many promotions.  I had better start to refuse them"?  "I can really feel my strength coming back to me after that surgery.  But it had better not get too much better.  I don't know if I could handle that"?  But in regard to a large family?  There we set limits.

Excuses to avoid large families usually betray priorities and what we consider to actually be our blessings.  Are children expensive?  Yes.  But it is possible to afford children with careful spending and lifestyle choices.  Poor people still have families.  They had to live without certain luxuries to do it, but it can be done.  But if a certain lifestyle is the priority, children are avoided.  Do children require a lot of time and energy?  Yes.  But if my time is only for my pleasure and hobbies, children will be avoided.  While some may have a legitimate reason for avoiding more children (e.g., a life-threatening condition during pregnancy), for most the honest admission is: "I want my money, time, and energy devoted to me."

Understand that choices have consequences.  I lead chapels at three nursing homes each week.  Some of the residents there never had any children.  It is a choice that they regret as they are now lonely and rarely see visitors.  This is something that young people should consider about their future.  That future will get here faster than you think.

What could possibly be a greater use of your money, time, and energy than to raise children and to invest in the next generation?  And what people will you have a greater impact upon than your own children?  There is no greater thing you will do in your life than raise your children.

If you want to get a glimpse of God's faithful love to you, have a lot of children.  You will pour out money, effort, time, and other gifts on them, and you will not get a whole lot of recognition or thanks for it--at least not until your children are doing it for their own children.  God's grace is given so freely and richly, and we don't recognize his generosity or often give him thanks for it.  God created people so that he could love and bless them.  God grants children to a married couple so that they can love and bless them.  As God showers us with love and blessing, so parents do for their children.

Planned Parenthood is a staunch opponent to the high calling of motherhood.  They kill babies.  The spirit of our society is not as violent against motherhood, but it still discourages it.  Young girls are encouraged to get a college degree and have a career.  They are told that a career is doing something valuable with your life (and yes, it surely can be).  But stated implicitly or sometimes explicitly, motherhood is not revered as doing something valuable.  If there is a war on women, this is it.  

God has honored women by being the people through whom children come into the world.  This is a great and high honor.  It needs to be taught so that it will be appreciated and so that motherhood will be highly honored again.  

A Pastoral Concern on Marriage and Family (or, the lack thereof)

This pastoral concern was sparked by an article written by Gene Edward Veith.  The link to his article is at the bottom of this post.

A few weeks ago in Bible Class, I had posed the question: "Evaluate: We have a culture that devalues motherhood and despises large families."  The initial response was that the statement was extreme.  That was countered by people noting how much abortion had become a chief issue leading up to the elections.

Sadly, many young people have made it a goal to NOT have children.  Young girls are encouraged to pursue lucrative careers.  The encouragement also suggests that the career is doing something valuable with your life.  How many young girls are encouraged to be wives and mothers?  How many are told that being a stay-at-home mom is a noble vocation?  Well, if you ask Harrison Butker, kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, he will let you know that such a sentiment invites the wrath of many people. (For the full transcript of his speech, click here.  Scroll down to "A Message to the Women Graduates" to find his allegedly controversial statements about motherhood.)  When he upheld the vocation of wife, mother, and homemaker, he was vilified.  People called for him to be fired.  One person even posted where he lived, implying that he should be persecuted if not outright killed.

This is what the Lord says: "Indeed, children are a heritage from the Lord.  The fruit of the womb is a reward from him.  Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.  How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (Psalm 127:3-5).  The Lord declares that children are a blessing.  It is a blessing which was established upon the creation of a man and a woman (Genesis 1:28).  It was repeated after the Flood when Noah and his family left the ark (Genesis 9:1).  It is a blessing meant for as long as the earth endures; that's why people have a sex drive.  Now, if children are a reward, then being a stay-at-home mom is a high and noble calling.

Some might see this as a condemnation of women who have careers.  Let's be clear: Anyone can contribute to society with a career, but I suggest to you that there is no greater vocation in this world than father/mother.   What greater influence can someone have on society than in raising godly children? Unfortunately, those vocations are being avoided, and many who are avoiding them are taking great pride in resisting marriage and family.  Beware: This celebratory attitude will become deep regret in your old age.  No elderly people are celebrating loneliness.

Here is something from Gene Edward Veith at his Cranach blog about this issue.  He backs up the sentiment that marriage and family are being despised with some statistics which, I hope, will be shocking and disconcerting.   “They Will Say, ‘Blessed Are The Barren'” | Gene Veith

Traveling with the Schroeders--Wisconsin via the U.P.

We were able to skip town after Christmas for a short run to Wisconsin.  For the sake of the scenic view, we went over the top of Lake Michigan.  We stay in Mackinaw City.  Not surprisingly, it was pretty dead.  There were perhaps two hotels open and restaurants were limited.  Nevertheless, we enjoyed seeing the main street all lit up, as well as the Mackinac Bridge.

From there, we drove down the east side of Wisconsin to see family in Fond du Lac, including my mother who just turned 90.  We had some nice family time with her and with my brother and his family before making the trip back.  Time to get back to planning for Sunday and beyond.

Peter at the Big Boy in West Branch, MI.

The quiet streets of Mackinaw City.

Traveling with the Schroeders: Indy 500

This Memorial Day weekend, after a 30-year absence, we returned to the Indy 500.  Apparently, God thought I should have my experience delayed a little longer as heavy rains and thunderstorms caused a 4-hour delay.  Once the rain stopped, the track crew was at work blowing the track dry.  That was about a one-hour process.

Although the race had quite a few yellow flags (including one on the very first lap in the very first turn), the end of the race ran green the whole time.  Several cars vied for the lead until Josef Newgarden passed Pato O'Ward on turn three of the final lap.  In the family picks, I had chosen Josef Newgarden, so I could crow a little bit about my dumb luck.

Because of the rain delay and waiting for some of the traffic to clear out, we did not get home until quite late.  Everyone went straight to bed, dog-tired.  After all, 500 miles is a long way to go.

Below are some photos from the weekend.

A surprise visitor to the Schmidt house--the pace car from 1969.  Peter got to go for a ride in it.

5:45 AM and ready to head down to the track.  

This is Chad, Nathanael, and Peter by the dawn's early light.

A news crew from WISH in Indianapolis found our tailgate party and interviewed some of our crew on live, early morning TV.  

Tailgating about three blocks from the track.

Some of our crew, sitting 20 rows up as we could watch the cars come out of turn four.

I had the best date with me!  She brought me to my first Indy 500 in 1990.

AAAAANNNNDDDDDD... four hour rain delay.

Looking down the straightaway from our seats.

Out of turn four and heading into the green flag.  Only 200 laps to go!

Josef Newgarden, 2024 Indy 500 champion, edging out Pato O'Ward.

Summer Fun -- June and July 2023

For various reasons, I have not posted too many personal activities.  So, here are a sampling of photos from the activities this summer.  Our vacation will be documented later.

Here is some summer fun from the first half of the summer.

Putt-putt golf in Milford at the very end of May.

Family wedding in Indianapolis.  Getting us all together in one place is becoming quite rare.

I think this photo sums up Faith's relationship with five brothers over the course of her life.

This was from another family wedding in Wisconsin.  The night kicks in when the tie gets reset.

Cornhole has become quite a popular summer activity.  This is from July 4.

Forever with the Lord: Earl Schroeder (April 18, 1936 - November 23, 2022)

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15)

Obituary | Earl E. Schroeder of Sheboygan, Wisconsin | Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Goodbye, Dad.  Love you.

30th Anniversary Family Retreat

Laura's and my 30th wedding anniversary is coming up soon.  The kids have made a big deal out of this for us for the past six months.  We also wanted to make a big deal out of this celebration in a get together with our children.  We have Dan & Mary L. to thank for the generous use of their up north place.  I hope we left it in good shape for them.

While we were not able to get all the kids there at the same time, they all managed to be there at some time during our week.  

Early in the week, Nathanael, Caleb, Faith, and I got in 27 holes of golf (only 9 holes for Faith).  In our first trip, Nathanael's GPS guided us right to a house tucked off the road and into the woods.  Recalibrating....  Oh, THERE'S the golf course, only four miles north.  (I still prefer paper maps.)

On a blistery 90+ degree day, Nathanael, Caleb, Peter, and I trekked to the Rifle River to float on innertubes for a few hours.

Nathanael and Caleb bugged out, and Andrew & Vanessa and Philip showed up.  Later, Caleb returned with Caitlin, giving us most of the family for the weekend.  A few trips to the beach, a lot of reading, video games for the kids, and some card games (but we need more euchre players in the family!) rounded out the weekend.

The kids also presented us with their final anniversary gift--the large novelty check for $30.30.  They gave us that amount through Venmo, but I wonder if the giant check cost more than $30.30.

Some photos from the week.

This must be between games.  No one is yelling.

A game of spoons, before the chaos of grabbing spoons began.

Christmastide with the family

We spent our Christmas time in Novi and in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  Our time in Novi was especially nice because we managed to have all of the children home for a number of days, although jobs took a few people away for a while.  Getting everyone together in one place is becoming harder and harder to do, and I know it will only get more challenging as time goes by.

The trip to Sheboygan was a little different as my dad was in rehab.  We got to visit him there for 25 minutes as he sat behind plexiglass and we talked over the phone.  I'm glad we got to do that much.  Thankfully, he has been released as is back at home.  Unfortunately, we had left and could not be part of the welcoming crew.

We (my brother, Paul, Laura, and I) managed to do a bit of shoveling for my parents.  On the way home, we stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle near one of the Kenosha exits.  Nathanael said it exceeded his expectations.  We were pretty sure it would.

Here are some photos.