On Friday 2nd March over 3 million people worldwide will be praying and worshipping together during an annual day of prayer, using a form of service prepared by Christian women in Malaysia.
This year's Women's World Day of Prayer will focus on the theme 'Let Justice Prevail', and will draw on many of the issues and concerns faced by women, not only in Malaysia but around the world.
St John the Baptist Church in Burscough will be hosting a special service on Friday 2nd March at 7:30pm, following the Malaysian service format. The service will be a joint service with Burscough Methodist and St John’s Catholic churches, and will also have some added flavours of the Far East provided. The young people will be creating origami flowers and butterflies... Continued
The purpose of our visit was to attend to the further progress of the Medical Centre being built with funds raised by International Needs, an NGO working to make a difference in some of the more deprived parts of the world of which Burkina Faso,a former French colony in W. Africa, is amongst the poorest. The Centre is located in Sector 11,an area of new housing on the outskirts of Bobo, the second largest town in the country with a population roughly equivalent to that of Merseyside. It was also planned to do some teaching in La Bonne Nouvelle, the International Needs School adjacent to the Medical... Continued
On Friday 2nd March over 3 million people world wide will be praying and worshipping together during an annual day of prayer, using a form of service prepared by Christian women in Malaysia.
Jean Hackett, president of the National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer movement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:
‘This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in the Queen Salote Girls School in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place, some 35 hours later, in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in... Continued
Following our participation in the Carol Singing World Record attempt last Sunday, the Ormskirk advertiser have have written an article on it, which can be read on their website.
As the year draws to a close, may I begin this letter by thanking you, on behalf of the staff team, for all your prayers, support and action over the last year. So much of the ministry we offer at St John’s relies on volunteers and we are most grateful for the time, commitment and prayer support that you generously give. As we enter 2012, I pray for God’s continued guidance and wisdom as we seek to follow Him to deepen and grow our ministry and service to the community. Our new motto verse (Mark 12: 30-31), supported by text cards and wristbands, reflects this desire. These will be available in the New Year.
I also write to update you on a few developments in our church life. Firstly, to let you know that as from January 2012, services at St Cyprian’s, Hoscar will be on a monthly basis, on the second Sunday of each month. This will be a communion service. This unanimous PCC decision has the kind support of the Hoscar congregation.
The Listen Online section of our website has over a years worth of talks from many of the 11:00am and 6:00pm services that are available for you to download or listen to straight from the webpage. Starting with the current series "Christmas through Isaiah", the 9:00am services will also be available there.
The Listen Online talks can be accessed directly from here, from the link on the homepage of our website, or from the podcast icon next to the services that they are of on the Continued
On Sunday 4th December the story of Christmas – with a difference - will be coming to Burscough village, courtesy of St John the Baptist Church and Burscough Wharf.
Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy our Nativity service with a difference. The real Christmas story will be presented outdoors in a fun, friendly and contemporary way, including dance routines from some of our young people, and a real life donkey – although we don't expect the donkey to be dancing! You might even like to come along dressed as a character from the Nativity scene yourself.
This will be a great opportunity to share the Christmas story with friends and family from the community, and get into the festive spirit by singing some of our best loved carols, so do come and join us... Continued
Thank you for your immensely generous support for the Harvest Appeal. This is a wonderful testament to the generosity of people in Burscough, especially in these challenging times, to honour Christ’s command to love God and to love our neighbour through the provision of three wells and attendants for villages in Ethiopia through WaterAid. We are very grateful for the active participation of Burscough Village, Lordsgate and St John’s schools in this project.
As part of our ongoing commitment to develop as a church, I am pleased to advise you that, as promised earlier in the year, the nave ceiling has been insulated. This will help to reduce heat loss, improving comfort in the church at a time when heating costs continue to rise. Thank you for your continued care to ensure that the church is warm and inviting.
Following damage caused by three attempted thefts from the vestry roof over the summer, the PCC have authorised improvements in security.... Continued
This is a new weekly email that will be sent every Saturday morning with a short message, recommended readings, upcoming events and services and links to much more on the website.
To receive this you will need a MyStJohns account, which can be registed here, or if you already have one, you can add Richard Writes... from here.
St John the Baptist Church in Burscough, with the help of 3 local primary schools, has raised over £4500 this harvest to help the charity WaterAid. The money will be used to support the 'Seeds of Hope' appeal, helping to establish clean water projects throughout drought stricken Ethiopia.
Church Curate Ian Greenwood said: "It's been an amazing response to our Harvest Appeal this year. We are truly humbled by people's generosity and their willingness to give to this good cause. By working with our three primary schools, the community have really made a difference for many people living in Africa.
We encouraged the schools and our congregations to think about those who don't have safe water or sanitation – things that we take for granted in this country. 4,000 children die every day due to diseases caused by unclean water... Continued
All ladies are invited to come along and enjoy having a go at a range of different, fun but physical activities! The day will include:
An assault course
25 laps on Go Kart Rally Cars
A 20 minute escorted Quad Bike Trek
1 hour of archery
Human bowling or zip wire
Jacobs Ladder
The day will cost £75 with the option to buy into an additional hour of horse riding for an extra £27. You may pay this in one lump sum or if it helps you may pay on a weekly/mothly basis.
We will probably need to make an early start, leaving around 7:30am. We will stop on the way home... Continued
Come and see the well known children's worship leader and singer/song writer Doug Horley at a Praise Party on Friday 25th November 2011.
This will be a fun event with a fast moving mixture of wacky action songs, funky dance tracks, break dancing, illusions, puppets, praise and worship. There will be lots of fun and laughter, making it an exciting celebration that kids (and grown ups) will talk about for years.
For more details and to book your tickets please see the Praise Party page.
Are you at primary school? Then don't miss the.... Autumn Fun Morning A fun time with games, craft, puppets and goodies! St John's Church Hall, School Lane Wednesday 26th October 2011 10:00am-12:00pm
The Autumn Fun Morning is a children's event organised by St John the Baptist parish church. It will be led by youth worker Christine Spencer and a team of volunteers who have appropriate CRB checks. There will be lots of fun games and activities as well as an opportunity to meet the puppets!
If you are in school years Reception to Year 6, you are warmly invited to come along, but you MUST fill in the registration form below
Parents are not expected to stay, but please bring and collect your child promptly. You will be asked to confirm an emergency contact number when you drop your child... Continued
A free course is being offered in Burscough to anyone wanting to learn how to better manage their household budgets, as the pennies start to pinch.
St John the Baptist parish church, Burscough, is putting on the short course aimed at teaching people how to chart their household income and take control of their personal finances.
Members of the church wanted to help their local community to best handle the economic climate, so they have undergone specialised training from award winning UK charity Christians Against Poverty, and are now offering the CAP Money debt prevention course.
Many households are feeling the squeeze more than ever on their disposable income. Jo Jones, one of St John's CAP Money coaches, said: “We hope that we can help people, quietly and confidentially, take... Continued
Please find below a prayer for peace sent by the Bishop of Warrington. Thank you. Richard.
Prayer for Peace
Gracious God, We pray for peace in our communities this day. We commit to you all who work for peace and an end to tensions, And those who work to uphold law and justice. We pray for an end to fear, For comfort and support to those who suffer. For calm in our streets and cities, That people may go about their lives in safety and peace. In your mercy, hear our prayers, now and always. Amen
On Monday 8th August, as team of 9 people from St Johns and Oaks in Skelmersdale are going on our annual mission trip to Belarus.
The team are:
refurbishing outside play areas at Shelter 46, the special school for disabled children
helping members of Pastor Sergei's team run a summer camp for children in the orphanage
Leaving funds for the ongoing outreach work of the church in providing regular fruit deliveries to the orphanages and children's hospital and food aid packages to the least well off disabled families in the city of Borisov.
We would like to thank everyone in the church who has support this work in 2011.
Please remember us in your prayers this week, for... Continued
Are you at primary school? Then don't miss the.... Burscough Beach Fun Day A fun time with games, craft, puppets and goodies! St John's Church Hall, School Lane Wednesday 27th July 2011 9.30-11.30 or 1.30-3.30
The Burscough Beach Fun Day is a children's event organised by St John the Baptist parish church. It will be led by the youth workers, Joanna Marshall and Christine Spencer, and a team of volunteers who have appropriate CRB checks. There will be lots of fun games and activities as well as an opportunity to meet the puppets!
If you are in school years Reception to Year 6, you are warmly invited to come along, but you MUST fill in the registration form below
Parents are not expected to stay, but please bring and collect your... Continued
The Fragrance Group held their first 'Come Dine with Me' dinner on Thursday 23rd June. The theme for the evening was Italian with food, quiz and chocolates all served up by the hosts - Emma and Hannah!
Great fun was had with wonderful food and friendship.
To come: Fun, food and friendship with Jane, Chocolate theme based on the Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory with Christine and rounded off with a Christmas Evening in July with Wendy.
As I prepare to go on sabbatical, I write to keep you informed of a few developments that are planned over the next few months in St. John’s whilst Ian leads the church supported by the PCC and Staff Team.
Insulation of Chancel Roof
Following my letter in January, we continue to actively explore our commitment to reduce heat loss (and utility bills) in our nineteenth century building. Five companies have been approached to tender for this work but only one have followed through with a quote. We continue to seek two more quotes before making a decision.
Developments to aid Worship
2.1 Temporary Removal of First Five Rows of Pews
To create space and give more flexibility to enable our developing ministry (e.g. “Engage”... Continued
As we continue to follow the strategy of Pathways – going out to connect with people where they are to invite them to begin a journey to faith and then grow in faith... Continued
after the Good Friday Family Service at 10:00am on 22nd April
It would be great to see you and your family here on Good Friday. There will be a walk with clues and items for you to find on your way round. There is some off road walking so probably not ideal for prams! Please bring a packed lunch which can be left in the Church Hall prior to the walk. All welcome.
On Tuesday 5th April, the Rt Revd Richard Blackburn, Bishop of Warrington, visited St John’s to conduct his first confirmation service here. Five young people and three adults were confirmed; it was wonderful to share in this significant moment in their Christian journey and to hear their moving testimonies. Many thanks to all those who helped with confirmation preparation and to those who participated in the service and provided refreshments afterwards.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about confirmation and what it means, please speak to Richard, Ian or Brian.
Are you at primary school? Then don't miss the.... Easter Eggstravaganza A fun time with games, craft, puppets and CHOCOLATE! St John's Church Hall, School Lane Wednesday 20th April 2011 9.30-11.30 or 1.30-3.30
The Easter Eggstravaganza is a children's Easter event organised by St John the Baptist parish church. It will be led by the youth workers, Joanna Marshall and Christine Spencer, and a team of volunteers who have appropriate CRB checks. There will be lots of fun games and activities as well as a short puppet presentation.
If you are in school years Reception to Year 6, you are warmly invited to come along, but you MUST fill in the registration form below
Parents are not expected to stay, but please bring and collect your child promptly. You will be asked to leave an emergency... Continued
As part of our Easter journey this year, and following on from the success of the Labyrinth last year, we have decided to do something similar again this year.
We are providing an opportunity for people to enter church during the period of Holy Week to be able to spend time in quiet prayer, reflection and meditation. The purpose of this is to allow people to spend time with God which may enable them to go deeper with the Lord. Surely there can be no better time to do this than Holy Week!
The focus of this whole project will be our ‘Easter Pathway’. The idea is that people will be able to come to church and follow the different stations as they walk around the church, they need bring nothing with them but simply walk around the different stations and spend time with God as they journey through the Easter story.... Continued
The Women's World Day of Prayer service will be held at the Methodist Church in Burscough on Friday 4th March 2011 at 7.30pm. The theme this year is Chile.
If any of you are interested in joining the choir this would be much appreciated. Practices are at 2pm on the 20th and 27th February at the Methodist
Church. However, if you are unable to make one or both of the practices that is fine, we would still like you to be part of the choir. If you are interested in either attending or joining the choir and would like a service booklet please contact Wendy Dixon on 01772 812443 or wendixon@yahoo.com.
Inspired by how the early church began, the aim is simply to worship, learn and grow as followers of Jesus in this fresh new format that will be held every 6-8 weeks in St John’s on a Sunday evening. In each cafe service, we’ll tackle a topical discipleship issue.
Got lots of questions? Want to hear a relevant talk, interrupt and ask questions (you can even text or tweet during the talk), then discuss and learn together? Then cafe church is the place.
Relaxed, informal yet worshipful, prayerful and informative. Refreshments will be available throughout. Do come, as a housegroup,... Continued
Haydock Male Voice Choir are at St John's on Saturday 5th February starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are £6 each (including refreshments) and are available from Jean Bailey, Olwen Huyton or Jenny Haffenden
It has been announced this morning that Eileen Heaney will be joining us as a non-stipendary curate in July. Eileen is currently an ordinand in training in the Liverpool Diocese and will be ordained in July.
Over 300 people gathered for the Nativity service on 5th December – the majority dressed as a nativity character. Beards, angel wings, shepherds crooks, amazing costumes and lots of smiles, laughs and great singing filled the church. A sketch and dance by All Stars introduced the service which blended carols and readings as the Nativity story was creatively and faithfully re-told. A wonderful nativity tableau emerged during this fun service and Ian concluded with talking about who is the star that we admire and follow? The service was part of our advent teaching series "Follow the Star."
More photos of the All Age Nativity service are available in our Photo Gallery.
425 people filled the church for a magical and surprising Christingle on 12th December. Richard asked, Why will the Wise Men (Jezza, Hamster & May of TV's Top Gear) follow the light of the star to Bethlehem on Boxing Day this year? Stig's brother, Wiggy, who had been left behind and who was desperately trying to catch up, suddenly arrived in church on his motorbike to also ask why? Christine answered the questions using the Christingle before everyone joined in a medley of carols, lit their lights and sang our version of "Shine" by Take That! & "Shine, Jesus Shine". As one family remarked as they left , "the magic of Christingle touched everyone! Christ is the light of the world."
More photos of the Christingle Service are available in our Continued
He's on His way is a Christmas campaign from the Diocese of Liverpool. They say:
Research has revealed that 85 per cent of people agree with the statement that “Christmas should be called Christmas because we are still a Christian country”. However, it also shows that only 12 per cent of adults know the facts of the Christmas story in any detail.
This is the problem in our society. So many people simply do not know the Christmas Story. Just published a couple of days ago, a survey commissioned by the Continued
Carol singers from St John the Baptist Church, Burscough, will be spreading some early Christmas joy around the town on Wednesday 8th December. The lantern-lit carol singers will be performing at various locations, and the evening will round off with roasted chestnuts over a brazier outside St John’s Church, followed by mulled wine and mince pies to be served at the Hop Vine. St Johns warmly invites everyone to join in the festivities - if you have a lantern to bring along please do so, and we are encouraging as many people as possible to come dressed in Dickensian costume too!
The singing will start at 7:15pm on Manor Avenue, followed by a 7:45pm gathering at the Heathfields and Rees Park children's play area, and finally at 8:30pm outside St John's Church where we hope to recreate a traditional Victorian Christmas atmosphere before adjourning to the Hop Vine. If you can't make it on Wednesday 8th, there will also be a Carol service... Continued
We've all experienced that familiar Boxing Day feeling of over indulgence, but over the Christmas period do we take the time to consider those less fortunate than ourselves? Well, children and families in Burscough have been doing just that by supporting the Samaritan's Purse 'Operation Christmas Child' shoe box appeal.
Children from St John the Baptist Church, Lordsgate School, St John's Primary, Burscough Village Primary and Rufford Primaryhave all helped to decorate an incredible 527 shoe boxes, and have filled them with gifts for children in some of the most deprived parts of the world. The boxes were collected this week by volunteers from the Samaritan's Purse Christian... Continued
Christmas began as the POSADA journey is announced by Joanna Marshall in St. John’s school, Lordsgate school and in church. Click here to find out more and be part of their journey as we share the Christmas story with others.
An astonishing 527 shoe boxes were collected by the church and the two church primary schools for Operation Christmas Child this year. An extra large van was required for these gifts which are destined for children in Kenya, Kurdistan and Haitia. Joanna Marshall & Christine Spencer took 7 pupils to visit the collection and distribution centre in Liverpool on Monday.
Remembrance Day was honoured in a moving way during both morning services @ St. John’s. At 1.45, Richard led the village in our collective act of remembrance at the War Memorial and then conducted the Civic Service in church at 2.45pm.
Doughnuts, balloons, sweets, craft, games & glowsticks were all part of the mayhem that was “The Treat” for many children this year. Jo Jones, Phil Marshall and a great team enjoyed leading this fun alternative to Halloween as we celebrated the Light that is Christ. Don’t ask about the crazy dancing to “This Little Light of Mine”!
The first Quiet Day for the church was led by Richard & Joanna in the calm surrounding of Westhead. Looking creatively at “Trees”, members of the church enjoyed time and space to engage with God and consider how they can grow and flourish in intimacy with God. Look out for details about the next Quiet Day in early 2011.
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On Sunday 5th February at St John's we discussed our vision for the future. Here are a few dcuments from Vision Sunday:
(INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL)
Following our participation in the 
The 
The Listen Online talks can be accessed directly from 
On Sunday 4th December the story of Christmas – with a difference - will be coming to Burscough village, courtesy of St John the Baptist Church and Burscough Wharf.
St John the Baptist Church in Burscough, with the help of 3 local primary schools, has raised over £4500 this harvest to help the charity WaterAid. The money will be used to support the 'Seeds of Hope' appeal, helping to establish clean water projects throughout drought stricken Ethiopia.
Come and see the well known children's worship leader and singer/song writer Doug Horley at a Praise Party on Friday 25th November 2011.
Are you at primary school?
A free course is being offered in Burscough to anyone wanting to learn how to better manage their household budgets, as the pennies start to pinch.
Burscough Beach Fun Day
As we continue to follow the strategy of Pathways – going out to connect with people where they are to invite them to begin a journey to faith and then grow in faith... 
after the Good Friday Family Service at 10:00am on 22nd April
Richard was interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside, which was broadcast on Sunday morning and can be heard 
Are you at primary school?
As part of our Easter journey this year, and following on from the success of the Labyrinth last year, we have decided to do something similar again this year.
The Women's World Day of Prayer service will be held at the Methodist Church in Burscough on Friday 4th March 2011 at 7.30pm. The theme this year is Chile.
Haydock Male Voice Choir are at St John's on Saturday 5th February starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are £6 each (including refreshments) and are available from Jean Bailey, Olwen Huyton or Jenny Haffenden
It has been announced this morning that Eileen Heaney will be joining us as a non-stipendary curate in July. Eileen is currently an ordinand in training in the Liverpool Diocese and will be ordained in July.
Over 300 people gathered for the Nativity service on 5th December – the majority dressed as a nativity character. Beards, angel wings, shepherds crooks, amazing costumes and lots of smiles, laughs and great singing filled the church. A sketch and dance by All Stars introduced the service which blended carols and readings as the Nativity story was creatively and faithfully re-told. A wonderful nativity tableau emerged during this fun service and Ian concluded with talking about who is the star that we admire and follow? The service was part of our advent teaching series 
Please place your order with 
Christmas began as the POSADA journey is announced by Joanna Marshall in St. John’s school, Lordsgate school and in church. 
An astonishing 527 shoe boxes were collected by the church and the two church primary schools for Operation Christmas Child this year. An extra large van was required for these gifts which are destined for children in Kenya, Kurdistan and Haitia. Joanna Marshall & Christine Spencer took 7 pupils to visit the collection and distribution centre in Liverpool on Monday.
Remembrance Day was honoured in a moving way during both morning services @ St. John’s. At 1.45, Richard led the village in our collective act of remembrance at the War Memorial and then conducted the Civic Service in church at 2.45pm.
Doughnuts, balloons, sweets, craft, games & glowsticks were all part of the mayhem that was “The Treat” for many children this year. Jo Jones, Phil Marshall and a great team enjoyed leading this fun alternative to Halloween as we celebrated the Light that is Christ. Don’t ask about the crazy dancing to “This Little Light of Mine”!
The first Quiet Day for the church was led by Richard & Joanna in the calm surrounding of Westhead. Looking creatively at “Trees”, members of the church enjoyed time and space to engage with God and consider how they can grow and flourish in intimacy with God. Look out for details about the next Quiet Day in early 2011.
