VISUAL ARTS (PARAMENTS, GENERAL DECORATIONS, SPECIFIC DECORATIONS)

Reflection before worship: “One must never forget that slaves are first and foremost people. Their lives are filled with sorrow and injustice…but also…they are touched with humor and joy. Just like regular people. Just like free people.”

—Richard Holbrook, U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations

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Reflection before worship: “But today, in too many places around the world—including right here in the United States—the injustice of modern slavery and human trafficking still tears at our social fabric. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we resolve to shine a light on every dark corner where human trafficking still threatens the basic rights and freedoms of others.”

—Presidential Proclamation

National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January 2017

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Reflection before worship: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter…The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people…In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

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CALL TO WORSHIP

God’s Spirit is upon us.

He chooses us to preach good news to the poor.

He sends us forth to announce freedom to all who are prisoners,

Recovery of sight to the blind,

To set the burdened and battered free.

Let us worship God and pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—based on Isaiah 1:17 and Luke 4: 16-20

Leader: God says to us, “Learn to do right.”

People: God chooses us to preach good news to the poor.

Leader: God tells us “Seek justice, defend the oppressed.”

People: God sends us forth to announce freedom to all who are prisoners,

recovery of sight to the blind,

Leader: God commands us “Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

People: Set the burdened and battered free.

All: Let us worship God and pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—based on Amos 2:6-7, 5:14-15

People: They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.

Leader: They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground

and deny justice to the oppressed.

People: Let us step outside where Jesus is, speak out and give hope.

Leader: Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you.

People: Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.

All: Let us worship God, step outside where Jesus is, speak out and give hope.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—based on Luke 4:18

Leader: God’s spirit is upon us.

People: God chooses us to preach the good news to the poor.

Leader: God sends us forth to announce freedom to all who are prisoners,

People: Recovery of sight to the blind,

Leader: To set the burdened and battered free.

All: Let us go out into the uncomfortable neighborhoods to connect with our neighbors

and share God’s love and mercy with all.

—Shelia O’Mara

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INVOCATION

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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)

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CALL TO CONFESSION

Scripture tells us to say no to wrong, learn to do good, work for justice, help the down-and-out, stand up for the homeless, go to bat for the defenseless. Let us together ask for God’s forgiveness for the times we have not listened to his voice.

—Shelia O’Mara

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There are 21-30 million people around the world who are victims of human trafficking in a $150 billion industry: 68% in forced labor, 26 % are children and 55% are female. Let us together ask for God’s forgiveness for the times we have not sought justice and defended the oppressed.

—Shelia O’Mara

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PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord, we confess that oppression and injustice sometimes overwhelm us. It is easy to believe we cannot make a difference. We do not always hear the cries of those who are vulnerable. Often our choices and the things we buy contribute to the destruction of life. Forgive us for the times we allow our fears to lead us to silence and inaction. Strengthen us so that we may be the voice for those who have no voice. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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Lord, we confess that we don’t see them—those who are enslaved in forced labor in the factories, fields and brothels. You see them. Heal our blindness so that we can see those who are desperate and vulnerable to exploitation.

We confess we don’t hear the cries of those whose bodies are used for sexual pleasures against their wills. You hear them. Unplug our ears so that we hear the cries of those in bondage.

You call us to be the voice of freedom, comfort and healing. We get overwhelmed at how much needs to be done and not enough disciples to take action. Open our hearts so that we can see the consequences of our inaction and give us courage to follow your commands. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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We are guilty, Almighty God, of not seeing the 4.5 million people, including children, who are trapped in sex trafficking industries or the 14 million forced labor workers. We buy 136 different products made in 74 countries where victims of forced labor are attracted by promises of jobs and education. Forgive us our sins and the lack of awareness of those who suffer. Help us to build communities that prevent and protect from human trafficking and promote justice for those who are in bondage. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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Lord, we confess that oppression and injustice sometimes overwhelm us.

We are guilty of not seeing those who are trapped in sex trafficking industries.

It is easy to believe we cannot make a difference.

Often victims of forced labor make the products we buy.

Forgive us our sins of lack of awareness of those who suffer

and for the times we let our fears lead us into silence.

Help us to build safe communities that prevent and protect as well as promote justice

for those who are in bondage. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Hear the good news of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Thanks be to God.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—Exodus 3:7-8

God said, “I’ve taken a good, long look at the affliction of my people in Egypt. I’ve heard their cries for deliverance from their slave masters; I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them, pry them loose from the grip of Egypt, get them out of that country and bring them to a good land with wide-open spaces, a land lush with milk and honey.”

—Shelia O’Mara

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Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

—Shelia O’Mara

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Hear the good news of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Thanks be to God.

—Shelia O’Mara

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CHILDREN’S SERMON

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Open our ears, eyes, and hearts, O God, so that we can hear clearly your words of justice and love. Give us courage to bring justice, healing and hope to a broken world.

—Shelia O’Mara

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Open our ears, O God, so that we can hear clearly your words of justice and love. Give us courage to bring justice, healing and hope to a broken world.

—Shelia O’Mara

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Open our eyes and ears Lord, so that we can hear your words of restoration and that we may stand with those who suffer. Motivate us to take action to free those who are enslaved and restore their dignity. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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Open our eyes and ears, Lord, so that we can clearly hear your words of justice and love. Give us courage to bring justice, healing and hope to a broken world. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS

Isaiah 42:1-9
Exodus 3:7-12
Psalm 9
Psalm 10
Psalm 140
Isaiah 42:22-23
Isaiah 61:1-3
Amos 2:6-7; 5:14-15
Matthew 25: 31-46
Hebrews 13:3

—Shelia O’Mara

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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

O God, we cry out against all forms and manner of human trafficking and pray for an end to it.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

Jesus Christ, you are the Suffering Servant. You know violence, humiliation and rejection. Comfort those who suffer, are afraid and alone.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

Holy Spirit, be with us when we fast for those who are chained by injustice and abuse, those who are exploited in the workplace and those who live fearfully in the shadows of darkness.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

We pray for all traffickers around the world and those who profit from their works of evil. Open their hearts and minds to the cruelty and abuse they cause every day. Make your presence known to them.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

We pray that when we find ourselves on the ‘road from Jerusalem to Jericho” that, like the Good Samaritan, we will see those enslaved by human trafficking as our neighbor, bind up their wounds and treat them with kindness.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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God, we turn to you, the one whose attention is turned to the outrageous violence that takes place on this planet—the tears of the victims, no one to comfort them; the iron grip of the oppressors, no one to rescue the victims from them.

We pray for governments who ignore slave trade, corporations and industries who benefit from human beings being reduced to commodities and tools of production.

Jesus Christ, as the Suffering Servant you know violence, humiliation and rejection.

Comfort those who suffer, are afraid and alone; those who are too ashamed to come home and their families who don’t know where their loved ones are.

Holy Spirit, be with us as we fast for those who were sold into slavery today, the kidnapped children turned into child soldiers, those trapped in the sex trade at truck stops and strip clubs and those forced into domestic servitude.

We pray for a hopeful tomorrow.

We pray for all traffickers around the world and those who profit from their works of evil. Open their hearts and minds to the cruelty and abuse they inflict every day.

Lord, make your presence known to them and lead them down the path of your righteousness. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—based on Matthew 5:3-10

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We pray for those who are abused and exploited. Restore their spirit.

Replenish those who work to rescue those who have no voice.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

We pray for those whose tears are not seen and whose cries are not heard.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

We affirm that justice comes from God

and that pursuit of justice and reconciliation is central to God’s holiness.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

We pray for an end to exploitation and abuse.

We lift up the police, firefighters, lawyers, judges, medical personnel

and counselors who work for freedom and restoration.

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.

We pray for a reduction in the demand for sex trafficking and forced labor. Convict the hearts of those who exploit that they may repent of their evil ways.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

We pray for the oppressed that they may receive hope, peace and healing.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.

We pray for those who confront evil that they may be strengthened with courage.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We pray for those without hope and that the church rises up

to defend and protect men, women and children from all human trafficking.

ALL: Let us go outside where Jesus is, speak out and give hope. Amen.

—Shelia O’Mara

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—based on Psalm 10:12

Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent.