Caversham Baptist Church

The Chinese New Year festival is almost upon us. As we enter 2026, Revd Keith Saynor challenges us to seize the moment, put God first, step out in faith and serve Him. Each one of us are unique in our calling and gifting. If you're not sure what your gifting is, think about the things you have been successful at over time, if these are also the things that you enjoy doing, seek opportunities to express this gifting within God's purposes.

The handwashing incident in Mark 7 illustrates how God is concerned with matters of the heart not matters of our hands. Revd Graham Coldman challenges us to ask ourselves - In what ways am I allowing my understanding of faith in Christ to change the attitudes of my heart? Do I have a heart of stone or of flesh? Do I have a new heart?

Revd Billy Fenning explores a biblical perspective of what happens when we die. The Apostle John tells us about the creation of a new heaven and earth (Rev 21v 1-5). Revd Billy unpacks what this might look like. The key challenge is – how should we prepare for this future, what must you do and are you ready?

Revd Graham Coldman teaches us a Greek word Euangelion which translates to good news or gospel. First century Jews would have been familiar with the idea of a saviour bringing good news - Isaiah 52v7. Mark's gospel opens with the announcement of Jesus bringing good news. Jesus' message was good news for those who heard it and received it – it was a different story for those who heard it and rejected it. How will you respond to the euangelion?

Revd Steve Prince challenges us to find our rest in God – to find space in our lives where we hear and receive from him. We then need to pass that grace on to others - we're not meant to store up what God gives, but to be a channel to others for his grace and mercy.

Sam uses Hebrews 11v1-16 to explore the true meaning of faith, and challenges us all to exercise this faith in our daily lives. Sam shares recent real-life stories from those in the church and her own personal encounter, illustrating how God calls us to take a step, sometimes into the unknown, trusting he will lead and guide according to his perfect will. Will you exercise your faith as he calls you in 2026?

Richard explains how the nativity story reminds us that God's invitation is to all, irrespective of our nationality, intellect, wealth, relationship status or any other characteristic. God's welcome is directed towards those who are often considered by themselves or others as "outsiders". As we head into 2026, will you respond positively to his invitation?

Geoff Wilson explains how Jesus is God's perfect gift, the answer to a broken and needy world. Jesus invites you to receive new life in him by opening the door of your heart and welcoming him in.

Revd Graham Coldman shows us the importance of understanding the context and backstory of Matthew's Gospel, the first 2 chapters are inspirational not informational. Matthew uses symbols to link back to Israelite history and Old Testament stories that would have been well understood by his listeners. As we hear the familiar nativity story, look for something you've not seen before, and ask, “why is it there?” Like Joseph what am I being asked to trust for this Christmas?

Revd Keith Saynor discusses how Stephen demonstrated huge courage as he faced death from stoning by those who disagreed with him. Stephen had an eternal perspective, recognising that his eternal destiny was heaven with God - his time here on earth was just a moment in his eternal journey. We are invited to take courage - trust God in all circumstances, to not fear those who disagree with us or oppose us, but to stand firm and share the good news at every opportunity.

Revd. Billy Fenning goes through Jeremiah 33 v1-16, showing  that what we have in our Salvation is available nowhere else and we should focus on our road to that salvation.

Revd Graham Coldman explores what is meant for a first century Christian to offer themself as a living sacrifice. How can you follow the message of Romans 12, to live a life worthy of your calling, not to die a martyr, but to live life a sacrificial life, transformed by the power of God, working in and through you.

Revd Neville Hollands reminds us that there is no direct translation from Greek to English of the word we use for baptism. The closest imagery is to dunk into liquid, to drench, to overwhelm. He then goes on to describe three different types of baptism that are found in the New Testament -Baptism into the Church, the universal body of Christ; Baptism in water and Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to be fully baptised in each.

Jessica shows how Jesus uses his encounter with a blind man to bring out key truths of the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave sight to the blind man and uses this as a metaphor to explain why he came into the world. The blind man saw Jesus for who he was and worshipped him. The pharisees who claimed to have sight, failed to see Jesus. Let's be a light to those we encounter, live a life of faith that engenders transformation, testify to what God has done in your life, that he may do likewise for them!

Revd Ian Millgate uses the passage from John 6 to illustrate how Jesus connects with three distinct groups of people - do you identify with any of these groups? The first – those who know Jesus, yet through various circumstances, feel that Jesus is absent from their lives. Second – those who do not yet know Jesus and are curious. Third – those who seek purpose in life and a spiritual destination. Revd Ian offers helpful advice to those who identify with each of these groups.

Janet uses the account of how Jesus healed an invalid man at the pool of Bethesda as a reminder that Jesus can set us free from any number of issues we have in our lives - set free from physical, mental and emotional issues. Most of all Jesus can set us free from those things that have separated us from him; we can come to know Him personally.

Revd Keith Jackson challenges us to Look in Good directions... "Lord-ward" - to Jesus the author and perfector of faith. "Forward" - step by step with hope. "Outward" - to see those around us in need of God's touch. "Upward" - to the mountains, where our help comes from.

Revd Billy Fenning challenges us to consider whether our hearts are receptive to receiving God's word and shares three hacks for doing so: 1. Prepare the soil of your heart – put in the hard work, personal preparation to receive the word of God in your life 2. Listen with all your might – keep a journal, write down what God is saying to you 3. Welcome God's Word as it is – the Word of God will set you free, bringing healing, liberation & restoration

Paul Rhodes challenges us to set the conditions in our lives to live the abundant life that Jesus promised. 

Richard discusses the main factors that influence Baptist churchmanship – believer's baptism the Priesthood of all believers and the liberty of the local church. Discernment of God's will is found through collective understanding and interpretation through church members. Discernment and consensus requires patience, it relies on God's timing not ours! It demands we put aside our own wishes and desires, responding to disagreement with love and humility.

Revd Steve Prince discusses the imperative of the church as a unity community. Jesus prayed for unity throughout his church in John 17:20-23. Unity is essential for our corporate heath and spiritual growth. Focus on unity in our relationships at home, our small groups, our local church and across our churches in Reading and beyond. Steve highlights some of the ways that unity can be destroyed – and how it can be restored.

The psalmist's call to "sing to the Lord a new song" is an exhortation for change. Revd Colin Baker encourages the Church to embrace change. To seek God's purposes and will through praying together; to stand together carrying one another's burdens; to give ourselves in service, service that costs; to intercede for and encourage our leaders - both spiritual and secular.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about the suffering servant around 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. As we explore the character of the servant and the events and outcome of the crucifixion of Jesus, we see clearly that Isaiah was describing the messiah and the redemption of mankind that God had planned. We have the privilege of understanding God's redemptive plan and the open opportunity to respond.

Revd Billy Fenning reminds us that God is cares more about the state of your heart than the work or your hands. We are exhorted to learn to feed our "inner man" as apostle Paul puts it (Ephesians 3:14-21) in strength, depth, knowledge and fullness.

Just as God spoke to Isaiah, God is calling us to come and listen to him. Have you felt like you have been “hidden”, laboured in vain, seen no results from your service, become discouraged?  Have you allowed your vision of God to become diminished in your life? God has a plan for you that exceeds your vision, he wants to do more with you and through you. Come and listen to him, respond to him in trust and faithfulness.

Amongst other characteristics of the Lord's servant in Isaiah 42, verse 3 tells us “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.” Revd Graham Coldman asks us to consider how we have been bruised – broken relationships, ill-health, toxic work environment… Isaiah reminds us that the Lord's servant will rescue the bruised, the wounded. the damaged. He has purpose and meaning for our lives; turn to him and be rescued.

God breaks his silence after about 100 years since king Hezekiah's short sighted relief. God wants his people to be reconciled with Him. He reminds his people of His promises and His incomparable character. We are challenged to thank God for breaking the silence and speaking comfort today; ask for strength to lay down any idols and or false hopes; pray for renewed strength to wait in faith and not fear.

Revd Keith Saynor discusses how king Hezekiah put God first in his rule; destroying the temples, alters and idols of pagan worship. He reopened the Temple doors that had been nailed shut, reinstated the priesthood and the Passover festival; revival followed. Revd Keith recounts stories of how God responded to prayers in unexpected ways and reminds us of angelic encounters. God has a plan for your life – ask God to speak to you, then listen and respond in obedience.

Revd Colin Baker challenges us to trust God to fight our battles when the enemy comes knocking, Our response is one of prayer, trust and confidence in our all powerful God; to grow in our love, knowledge and trust, becoming more and more like Jesus.

Revd Graham Coldman explores the prophetic message of Isaiah 35. The focus is on how God wants to restore and heal his people, to give them all they need for a fulfilled life through relationship with him. We see the fulfilment of these prophesies in Jesus – he gives the “living water”, he is “the Way”. On the day of Pentecost, God sent his Holy Spirit to empower us to live the life he called us to; to be his voice, his hands and his feet in the place he has put us.

Revd Colin Baker discusses this very familiar passage from Isaiah and challenges you to invite Jesus into hidden or hurting areas of your life; to surrender burdens you were never meant to hold; to pray for deeper surrender and stronger peace and to ask for a daily revelation and transformation.

Graham leads an all age service through Isaiah 7, The Sign of Immanuel.

It was during a period of national instability and insecurity that God appeared to Isaiah.  Isaiah saw the Lord, he acknowledged his need for cleansing and received it; he heard God's call, was ready to respond and went. Isaiah's assignment wasn't easy, but it was divine. God sends us into hard places, not to guarantee success, but to obey his voice.

Revd Steve Prince explores how we can identify and manage the noise (those things that rob and distract us from our peace) we seem to constantly face in our daily lives. Revd Steve explores the parallels he finds in professional football at Reading FC. The challenge we're left with is “How do you become still before God?”

God speaks with passion because he's loving. God speaks against hollow religion because he desires our hearts. God speaks a call to return, offering cleansing and restoration. God speaks a warning because he is merciful and just. What in particular is he speaking to you about and how will you respond?

After Jesus' resurrection, two of his disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, sharing their grief of the loss of Jesus. Jesus came along-side and journeyed with them - but they did not recognise him. Revd Colin reminds us that even though the disciples failed to recognise Jesus, he was still there - with them, ministering to them, working for them. Jesus' presence and ministry was not dependent on the disciples seeing him, feeling him or knowing he was there.

Graham goes through Luke 23 v50-56 and 24 v1-12, showing the referrences and disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus.

Graham goes through Luke 19 v28-44, the Palm Sunday story.

Colin goes through Luke 18 v 31 - Luke 19 v1-10, showing how Jesus heals the physically and spiritually blind.

Revd Graham Coldman sets the context for the moving story of the prodigal son. Jesus introduces the story with two illustrations, the first about a lost sheep and then another about a lost coin. The prodigal son is really a story of two lost sons and is full of outrageous events. The big challenge for us is to consider where are we in that story and our relationship with the father. Father God never gives up on us, are we ready to be found?

What did Jesus intend to teach us when he spoke out the Lord's prayer? Did He intend to inform us or inspire us? It was to inspire us, to encourage us to be creative in our imaginations, to explore the richness of our relationship with our father in heaven. Let's use the Lord's Prayer, inspired and enriched with imagery, verse, poetry & song to draw close to our abba, our Father in heaven.

Revd Colin Baker unpacks the story of Noah and the flood and how this points to baptism. We are all encouraged to turn to Christ for forgiveness, cleansing and salvation - and to follow the example and command of Jesus to be baptised.

Revd Graham Coldman explores the events of Jesus invited to a meal by Simon the pharisee. Simon was a highly religious man and wanted to catch Jesus out. A sinful woman tuned up; unlike Simon she recognised Jesus who he was, she knew she needed forgiveness and restoration and worshipped him. We're left with a stark challenge – are we more like Simon, the one who is always right but misses the point or the woman who knew she needed forgiveness and restoration and received it?

Revd Keith Saynor explores Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees where they accused Jesus of acting unlawfully when carrying out good deeds on the Sabbath. Revd Keith summarises this situation as one where legalism collides with grace and challenges us to ask ourselves whether we have really learnt to love, whether we have received the blanket of God's love into our lives and learned to cast it onto others who we encounter.

Revd Colin Baker reminds us that the world is constantly changing and that we need to change with it. He challenges us to fast and to pray, to listen to the Lord's prompting and be prepared to step out in faith and do new things in new ways – new wine in new wine skins.

Revd Graham Coldman takes us through the extraordinary events of the paralysed man being lowered through a hole created in the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching in order to receive healing. We're challenged to consider what type of faith we have – the sort that drives us to action and results or is it passive, something we keep in a box? Jesus forgave the man's sins and healed him. We too need to receive God's forgiveness and enter into the fullness of life he offers.

Revd Graham Coldman discusses Luke's account of Jesus' teaching in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth. Jesus challenges some of the traditional beliefs of the character of God. The listeners were initially amazed at what he said, his insight and knowledge of the scriptures. This soon turned to anger as he painted a different picture to the one they were familiar with, so much so that they wanted to kill him. But Jesus walked away unscathed, Jesus' mission concluded as planned.

Revd Colin Baker unpacks Luke's account of events following Passover, when rather than setting off for home with his parents, Jesus remained in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Colin challenges us to reflect on 3 priorities – our relationship with God, our relationship with authority figures in our lives, our desire to be right with God.

Geoff Wilson challenges our response to situations where we make plans and they don't work out the way we hoped. We can make our plans, but we have to trust God for our future. God will sometimes surprise us with what he has in store – a new and more exciting plan, a God adventure that causes us to grow and to prosper.

Revd Graham Coldman discusses the use of words. We communicate with friends and family more than usual during Advent, sharing news, greetings and offering words of encouragement. The apostle John describes Jesus as the Word who became flesh – the fullness of God being made manifest to all. We are challenged to listen for the Word of God spoken into our lives and to allow that to change us. To speak the Word of God into the lives of others and to Live out (express) the Word of God in our lives

Revd Graham Coldman introduces one of the key themes of advent – waiting. We approach advent with anticipation, expectation and hope. We are challenged to ask “what do I need to be a good waiter?” Revd Graham offers some suggestions but the real challenge is for each of us to reflect and explore through prayer.