God of all seasons, we thank you for autumn.

We thank you for the crisp air that brings new energy, the bright colors of the trees, and the falling leaves that show the strength of the branches.

As the earth transforms, transform us by your Spirit.

Help us to let go of what is old, just as the trees release their leaves, and guide us into a season of quiet rest and new hope.

Amen.

Music in the Wilderness

A Hymn-a-thon!

Sunday, October 18 at 5pm

Join us for a Music in the Wilderness Hymn-a-thon – a hymn singing marathon in our Sanctuary. Attendees will have the chance to vote on their favorite hymns and choose what we sing. Watch for the ballots around church and here! Expect to hear all of your old favorites, hidden gems, and even some obscure masterpieces. A few lucky singers will get to spin the Wheel of Hymnody, a hymn number randomizer that is sure to take us to parts of the hymnal that even the bravest Episcopalian has never explored.

The Gnostic Gospels - presented by Ward Bauman

Wednesday, October 21st, following our Wilderness Wednesday Community Meal at 6:15pm

Ward J. Bauman was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1989 and served parishes in the Bay Area of California for more than a decade, becoming a popular retreat leader in areas of Christian mysticism as well. In 2002, he moved to Minnesota to run The Episcopal House of Prayer, a retreat and conference center on the grounds of St. John’s Benedictine Abbey in Collegeville. He invited master teachers to join him in teaching Christian mysticism there as they began the Wisdom Schools, bringing together groups seeking deeper and practical teachings on human spirituality.

It was then that Ward first began to teach from the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and the Gospel of Thomas, introducing them to a wider audience. He coauthored with his brother Lynn Bauman and Cynthia Bourgeault The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip. More recently, this past year he published Rending the Veil: The Mysticism of the Gospel of Philip. These texts will be available for purchase for anyone interested.

Revealing Jesus’ secret teachings to his closest disciples

For the many Christians longing to move beyond traditional messages of the Church, the several noncanonical Gospels found buried in the Egyptian desert in 1945 tell of Jesus’ hidden design for human transformation. Here is a glimpse into the early Jesus movement grounded in a metaphysical understanding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Through insights from early Christian mystics, we are invited into a tradition celebrating an experience of enlightenment, triumphing over the rigidity of orthodoxy. While the imperial Church, established under the rule of the emperor Constantine, focused on external rites and set beliefs, the first Jewish followers of Jesus emphasized an esoteric experience of those rites. The Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and the Gospel of Thomas particularly all claim to be based on Jesus’ secret and private teachings to his disciples.  

Some of these texts are arguably the earliest works of Christian mysticism. And like mysticism in all times and places are susceptible to misunderstandings and erroneous accusations. Declared heretical after the church councils in the fourth century, they were suppressed and banned and laid hidden until being rediscovered in 1945 for a new consideration. Reexamined through the lens of a longer arc of Christian mysticism we see them at the heart of the Jesus movement. We will introduce these early Christian texts to lay the groundwork for those who would like to dig deeper for themselves. 

A Halloween Party and Haunted Basement!

Wednesday, October 28th

Dinner at 5:30pm

Basement Tours at 6:15pm

Come for the Annual Halloween feast Haunted Basement, hosted by St. John's Rising Generations!

All Saints Sunday

As part of our worship celebrating the Feast of All Saints and All Souls Day on Sunday, November 1st, we will be reciting names of those who have had an exceptionally important place in our lives and/or those departed from us this past year.

Please send the names of anyone you would like included to Kate Maxwell by October 29th.

You are also invited to bring photos of your loved ones and to place them in the church on the windowsills and the steps below the rail on both the Pulpit and Lectern sides.

Mark Your Calendars Now!

The annual St John in the Wilderness Women’s Christmas luncheon at the Lake Elmo Inn will be held in the Kohler room on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 11:00. Per request of the Lake Elmo management they would like us to arrive no earlier than 10:45 AM.

Please mark your calendars to save this date. More information will be forthcoming regarding menu selections and reservations.

If any questions, please contact Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100.

Wilderness Wednesdays Adult Programs!

We gather for a shared meal at 5:30, and then at 6:00 we offer a variety of programming for people of all ages, which includes adult formation offerings, youth groups, book studies, and music rehearsals for Heartbeat and Chancel Choir.

Upcoming programs:

• 10/21: The Gnostic Gospels
• 10/28: Halloween Party
• 11/4, 11, 18 Signs of Grace (a 3 part video/discussion series on the Sacraments)
• 12/2 & 9 Favorite Holiday Foods Party!

American Red Cross Blood Drive

We are so proud to host blood drives here at St. John's. Our next is Monday, October 19, 11am-5pm. We need hosts to welcome and sign in people coming to donate. Please contact Dick Halpert via email here to sign up for a 2 hour slot!

You can also sign up to donate at the Red Cross site here.

Prayers for Election Day - Tuesday, November 3rd

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representative; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 822

On past election days St. John's has opened up our space for prayers and mediation for the community and especially those voting next door at the library. To do so, we need to have people to be present, welcome, and answer questions. We will have signs directing people from the parking lot entrance, our "hosts" can be sitting quietly in the church to welcome people in the Clark St entrance.

We are especially looking for hosts for the hours of 7-9am and 3-8:30pm. There is a sign up clipboard on the table in the parking lot lobby, we are wanting two people per two hour slot.

This is both a way to offer up prayers for our community and country, and be a space for that for our local community!

St. John's Food Shelf Needs You!

Let's Make November Food Shelf Month.

If everyone worshiping on Sunday morning brought 1 food item for our shelf, we would have a fully stocked food shelf every week! Start a new habit, and bring in something to share when you come to give thanks to God for all you have.

Have you noticed how bare our food shelf has been? Recently a generous donor brought in around $100 worth of groceries and stocked us up. It was gone by the next day! Grocery costs are going up every day. More and more are needing help to feed themselves and their families. And more and more are finding our judgement free 24 hour food shelf.

And don't forget, you can follow the QR code below to place an order through Amazon to be delivered directly.

Food Facts: Approximately 20% of Minnesota households face hunger or lack consistent access to adequate nutrition.Children and Families: About 207,830 children experience food insecurity, meaning 1 in 4 households with children are impacted. Emergency Reliance: Roughly 18% to 20% of the state relies on the charitable food system.

Contact Maggie Howe here for event information and to get on her mailing list!

Weekly News and a Weekly Message from Bishop Loya

The Episcopal Church in Minnesota also has a weekly e-news, where you can read a message from Bishop Craig Loya, (or sometimes a special guest author), and read about what is happening in the Episcopal Church in MN and beyond! A great way to stay connected and learn about our church outside the walls of St. John's. 

To receive the ECMN news go here, scroll to the very bottom right and sign up.

Parish Prayer List

We ask your prayers for: David S., Alex & Carol, Pat P., David G., Megan J., Tony and Amanda, Gladys A., Josh L., Allan B., Louie M., Erika A., Bill M., Baby Theo & Family., Mitch., Terry, Larry & Val., Marilyn C.

Email prayer@stjohnwilderness to request prayers and to be added to the parish prayer list.

Click the button below to fill out the web form, or email prayer@stjohnwilderness to request prayers and to be added to the parish prayer list. Please let us know if you would like the request to be publicly listed or private. Unless specifically requested, prayer requests will be kept on the list for a month.

For the Parish (BCP p.817)

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven

and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen

the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.

Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring

us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p. 817

Morning Prayer & Compline

Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8 AM for morning prayer and

Monday and Friday evenings at 8:30 PM for Compline.

Both prayer services are held via Google Meet. All are welcome.

The word liturgy comes from a Greek term meaning “public work or work done on behalf of the people.” Liturgy always referred to an organized community. A work, then, done by an individual or a group was a liturgy on behalf of the larger community.

If you would like to become part of the many ministries that help make our work, our worship, our liturgies, our community, please talk to one of our clergy.

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Office Hours:

Our parish office is open.... Stop by and say hi!

Monday - Wednesday, 9am - 2:30pm Thursday, 9am-12noon

• Financial Coordinator: Maureen Vruno | Office hours M,T, Th, 7:30am - 2:30pm maureen@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 4 or 763-329-7415
• Music Minister: Alec Watson alec@stjohnwilderness.org
• Rising Generations Coordinator: Maggie Howe maggie@stjohnwilderness.org
• Parish Coordinator: Carrie Thomas carrie@stjohnwilderness.org 651-429-5351 ext. 3
• Associate Priest: The Rev. Kate Maxwell, OSB kate@stjohnwilderness.org

Our current Health & Safety Protocols

• St. John’s encourages all of its members to get vaccinated and boosted.
• If you feel sick or have the typical symptoms of Covid-19, we ask you to worship with us online.
• Masks are optional while inside all parish buildings for those who are boosted and vaccinated. If conditions change and we experience another surge of Covid-19, we may alter our protocols.