June 2026
Greetings, Church Family! As summer begins and schedules slow down a little, many of us look forward to rest, family time, vacations, and moments to recharge. While summer can refresh us physically, it is also a wonderful opportunity to recharge spiritually and grow closer to Christ. Over the past several weeks, our youth group has been studying the importance of forgiveness and learning what it truly means to be a humble servant of Jesus. We have talked about how easy it is to show kindness and patience to our close friends and family, but how Christ calls us to love and serve even those who may be difficult to love. One of the key scriptures we have focused on is Colossians 3:13 (NIV): “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Our students have also reflected on the example Jesus gave when He humbly served others. In Philippians 2:3‑4 (NIV), we are reminded: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Summer is often a season when routines change, but our relationship with God should remain strong. Just as our bodies need rest and renewal, our hearts and minds need spiritual renewal through prayer, worship, Bible study, and fellowship. We are encouraging our young people to use this summer to grow deeper in their faith and to look for opportunities to reflect Christ in everyday life. Please continue praying for our youth as they navigate friendships, school pressures, decisions about the future, and their personal walk with God. Pray that they will boldly stand for Christ, show forgiveness freely, and serve others with humility and compassion. We also ask for your prayers for our church family as a whole. May God continue to bring growth, unity, encouragement, and love among us. Let us support one another, lift one another up, and remain focused on sharing the hope of Jesus with our community. Pray also for the man God is preparing for River Bend Baptist Church!
From my heart,
Tracy Ridings ©