Church Family Moment for Sunday, August 31, 2025

By Director of Spiritual Formation Rebecca Guzman

Read Aloud Story Connection: Read Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss. In this story, Yertle tries to stack all the turtles beneath him so he can feel more important. But the plan doesn’t work out, and he learns that putting others down isn’t the way to be great. This connects to Jesus’ parable of the banquet, where we learn that we should not try to make ourselves look better than others. Listen to the story here.

2. Hospitality at Home: If you’re together on a holiday weekend, talk as a family about who might need to feel included—maybe a neighbor, a classmate, or someone from church. Choose one way to help them feel welcome, such as inviting them over, sending a kind message, making a special card, or baking some cookies.
3. Game: Backwards Musical Chairs: Play a version of musical chairs. Instead of taking a chair away each round, add an extra chair and invite someone else to join the game. Celebrate making more room instead of less! Connect this to how Jesus tells us to make space at the table for others, especially those who might be left out.
4. Journal, considering the following:

• I wonder how it feels to sit in the lowest seat at a table.
• I wonder why Jesus wanted people to invite those who usually get left out.
• I wonder if you have ever felt especially welcome. Who made you feel that way?
• I wonder how we can make space for others the way Jesus did.