Sermon for June 22, 2025
“Wild Church” – outdoor service where we invite nature to be part of our worship
Psalm 148
Rev. Karl-John N. Stone
You know the word “saunter”? It means to walk in a slow and relaxed manner; to take a leisurely stroll. Scholars are uncertain about how the word “saunter” originated, but on my pilgrimage last month, our leader Pastor Larry taught us that it may have originated from the French. And there are two possibilities for this. One is the phrase “aller à la sainte terre” meaning “to go to the Holy Land”. Another possibility is the phrase “sans terre” meaning “without a land” or “without a home”. [https://roots2words.com/p/word-of-the-day-saunter]
Regardless of which phrase inspired the word, “saunter” is a description of what a pilgrim does—because a pilgrim walks to seek the holy, the look for God’s presence in the world; and pilgrims are people “without a home” in this world, because heaven is our true home. As Christians, we are all pilgrims in Christ. He is our true home, and just as he once walked with us and among us, and walked to the cross for us—we are now walking towards him in faith. And until he brings us home to heaven, we are visitors on this land because it all comes from God and belongs to God!
So in a moment I’ll invite you to “saunter” like a pilgrim as you look in creation for God’s presence to be revealed. A sauntering pilgrim might walk slow and relaxed as you take things in, or sometimes you may even go quickly and excitedly in your leisure because you are so eager to see something. And sometimes a sauntering pilgrim just sits there and takes in the beauty around you, and you’re just thankful for the gifts of God.
As sauntering pilgrims today, we’ll be “Dwelling in God’s Creation”. This is a spiritual practice, similar to “Dwelling in the Word”, which we’ve done quite a bit at House of Prayer.
So I invite you to wander around the church grounds (or outside wherever you may be); or to find a place to sit and simply observe God’s creation. Take about 15 minutes for you to wonder and contemplate and pray.
As you do that, here’s a few reflection questions to guide you:
Where do you notice texture in creation and in yourself?
What are the smooth and rough places?
How might God be at work in what is smooth and in what is rough?
Then find a friendly looking person to share your experience and offer thanks to the God who provided it. Amen.
After returning to the circle:
— is there anything you you’d like to add to the community altar?
— is there anything people would like to share with the group?