Sermon Tone Analysis

Order of Worship

Words of Welcome:

Good morning and welcome to Skyline FF and the day churches around the globe have conspired to proclaim “Freedom Sunday”; A day where we acknowledge the tragedy of human trafficking within the appropriate context of worship.

We lament and repent.

We focus on the creator and champion of liberation, Jesus.

We invite the spirit to lead us into hopeful responses.

We sing and celebrate.

Through this act of gathering, worship forms and informs us and is a catalyst for joy, hope, and action.

But Freedom Sunday is more than a day.

It’s more than a worship service.

Freedom Sunday is a movement of hope.

Modern slavery is a symptom of the underlying problem of broken relationships, communities, and systems.

The world is broken, but God is the healer.

In partnership with God, we are agents of hope and healing.

This morning we will sing, we will confess, we will pray, we will listen, and we will be invited to give and act in the direction of freedom.

As we enter worship this morning, hear these words from the prophet Isaiah:

Opening Scripture & Video

Worship is a Catalyst for Action—Video

Isaiah 58

Sing a Song

Worship in Song

Prayer for Freedom (Look at Slides)

Prayer for Freedom

Worship in Song

Prayer for Freedom

Worship in Song

Community Prayer—of Confession (see insert from IJM)

Merciful Father, We have gathered today in your name, and with great freedom.

Yet we acknowledge not all people are free.

We confess our tendency to live comfortably with injustice; we confess our use of liberty for personal gain and self preservation; we confess our ignorance and apathy towards those who are vulnerable and abused.

Forgive us, Lord Jesus, and transform us people who share your heart for justice.

Prayers of the People

O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of men, women and children deceived, transported to unknown places, force into prostitution or other forms of labor for the financial gain of traffickers—their slaveholders.

Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are transgressed through threats, deception and force.

We cry out against this degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Protect all victims, especially our young and vulnerable.

Let your tender love and care surround all present victims of trafficking.

Deliver them, O God, from their perpetrators’ hands.

Give us the courage and wisdom to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us.

Prayer for the Victims

God of healing we come before you right now and ask for restoration of the dreams for the children, women and men who are enslaved.

We ask that they would begin to know your royal priest hood in your kingdom and they would begin to believe of the wonderful possibilities you have for them.

We say yes to the plans and purpose you have over their life.

Please rescue the victims.

God of healing we come before you right now and ask for restoration of the dreams for the children, women and men who are enslaved.

We ask that they would begin to know your royal priest hood in your kingdom and they would begin to believe of the wonderful possibilities you have for them.

We say yes to the plans and purpose you have over their life.

Please rescue the victims.

Prayer for the Victims’ Families

Pray for mission partners of the church, global and local, who are in some way engaged in the fight to end slavery in this generation.

embarking on an investigation for those trapped in slavery at this moment.

Prayer for the Victims’ Families

Add prayer for mission partners of the church, global and local, who are in some way engaged in the fight to end slavery in this generation.

“God of grace and mercy restore the families of those enslaved throughout the world.

Show them your love.

Give them hope for tomorrow.

We pray restoration for the family units and reconciliation of relationships to be as you have ordained families to be.

We ask that you provide everything they need so that they will not be ensnared by slavery or human trafficking.

Pour out your love on the hearts of the fathers and mothers and the children.

We especially pray for the church in TN that is reeling from a shooting during the worship hour.

Prayer for the Church

Prayer for the Church

Ask God to bless and protect those in our congregation and in our community who serve in law enforcement, child advocatcy, medical providers, first responders, social workers, and other government agencies.

standing in the fights of injustice and with those who are victims of injustice.

“God of Wisdom and strength break our heart for what breaks yours, give us the passion to strive to end injustice around the world and even here in our own country.

Give us the strength to spread awareness about what breaks your heart.

Give us the wisdom and power to do something about it.

Give your children confidence to know we can make a difference.”

Prayer for Organizations fighting injustice

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ask God to bless and protect those in your congregation who serve in law enforcement and public justice systems.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for Organizations fighting injustice

Sermon-------------------Being the Church, A Living Framework for Freedom

“God of hope and power we pray for organizations that have risen up to defeat this injustice and to save lives of innocent people around the world.

We pray that you provide them with the proper tools and knowledge to bring peace and life to the victims and their families.

We thank them for their time and love they give to help save your children from slavery, for it is through your hope that gives us the power to help save lives.”

Prayer for the abusers

Prayer for the abusers

God of love and grace, it is hard to love the abusers, but your word tells us to love even our enemies.

You see the abusers past and the pain and hurt they have gone through.

We pray you touch their hearts and deliver them.

Give us strength to love them like you do and to remember they are still your children.

Lord Jesus help us love like you love.

Break the bondage of the injustice and set us free.

We pray freedom for all.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sermon-------------------Being the Church, A Living Framework for Freedom

Why does Justice matter to the church?

Video

This morning I want to speak to Brokenness throughout the world, b/c of injustice in every facet of society.

I want to remind us of prophetic words of God towards issues of justice.

I want us to reflect and consider ways that we have contributed to or been complicit to acts of injustice.

I want us to pray for wisdom and the will to tangibly embody steps in unfolding God’s justice in the midst of an unjust world.

May we discover how to practically and realistically embark on a Living Framework for Freedom.

What does God require?

Ways we contribute to injustice?

how are we complicit?

What can we do?

tangible steps in