In John 14:27 Jesus says that he gives ‘not as the world gives’.

When I reflect on this it gives me hope that whilst we may offer all sorts of activities as a church community ultimately at the heart of what we share is something that we actually cannot offer ourselves.

The offer of Jesus is peace in our relationship with God and the promise of a future when God’s peace will come into all people’s lives and the whole creation.  The things we do as a congregation are, at best, a pointer to our hope in what Jesus offers.

This leaves me with a question: “How can we as a congregation help others see the hope that Jesus offers not simply what we do or do not have as a congregation?”