Our current vision is to “know, grow in and share Jesus’ love in Burscough and beyond”. In 2023 a considerable sum was raised a in support of an educational project with International Needs Uganda, very much beyond Burscough. This year we are seeking to share Jesus’ love locally in some practical ways and will be using the Harvest appeal in the following three ways:

Watch this video to find out a bit more about the appeal:

  1. Donation to Burscough Methodist Food Bank

We have a longstanding relationship with Burscough Methodist Church who are engaged in essential community outreach through their Food Bank. To strengthen our ecumenical partnership and acknowledge the great work already taking place, we are going to donate one third of the money raised to this important project.

  1. Love where you live fund

There have been numerous occasions where requests for practical support in the form of food, heating or other material needs have been received by the office. There is currently no dedicated fund set up to respond effectively to these increasing needs. Therefore, a third of the money raised will be used to establish a new fund to enable us to increase our capacity to practically respond to those in need in our community.

  1. Community Day

We have a vision to share Jesus’ love in Burscough in increasingly practical ways and want to serve the community in increasingly practical ways by developing a ‘Love where you live’ ministry. The first step we want to take is to launch a coffee morning in the church hall lounge on Thursday mornings. The purpose of this is to connect more closely with our community, learning to better identify local needs, caring for the vulnerable, providing friendship for the lonely, to put into practice Jesus’ command to love our neighbours as ourselves.

To help launch this, the remaining third of the Harvest appeal will be used to launch the coffee morning by purchasing a coffee machine and giving the church hall lounge a refresh by replacing the shabby carpet and updating the soft furnishings to dramatically improve our hospitality and create an inviting space for people. Any improvement to the church hall lounge would positively impact many areas of ministry particularly our work with children, young people and young adults.

The Chinese proverb states that, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In our ever-expanding town there are obvious needs and hidden ones, and a great many opportunities for us to serve. We need to take steps to identify and address the needs that God is calling us to respond to. This year’s Harvest appeal will act as a ‘Love where you live launchpad’ enabling us to take the first step towards becoming more missional, joining Christ where he is already at work. Practical love in action enables people to recognize the face of Jesus as we share His sacrificial love in Burscough by offering hope, help and hospitality.

Harvest 2024 appeal:

  • Cheques  and cash  – please put in an envelope marked Harvest Appeal.  Cheques should be made payable to St John’s PCC. If you are a Tax Payer, please use a Gift Aid envelope from the pews in Church, fill in the information required on the front and also mark it Harvest Appeal.
  • Using online banking (BACS)  –  You can bank transfer to  Sort Code:  08-92-99 ,  Account Number:   67214677 , Account Name:  St Johns PCC ,  Name of Bank:   Co-op Bank. Please reference your payment HARVEST 2024.

Please make any donations by the 31st October 2024.

We will also be accepting donations on non perishable goods to be donated to the Local Foodbank. These can be dropped off at the Church Hall, placed in the box in the West End of Church, or brought to the service on Harvest Sunday.

‘Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’  Romans 12:11-13

Revd Elliott Ireton, Vicar of St John’s

Please come along and join our Harvest Celebrations. We look forward to welcoming you!

Sunday 6th October

5pm Harvest Celebration at St Andrew’s Crabtree.

Sunday 13th  October

9am Traditional Holy Communion Service at St John’s

11am Contemporary All Age Worship as St John’s

7pm Contemporary & Youth Worship at St John’s

Tuesday 15th October

10.30am Tuesday Shoppers Service