Freedom Sunday is an invitation for your congregation to learn about the 45 million children, women and men living in modern day slavery. It is often held on the Sunday closest to Human Trafficking Awareness Day or World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30th July) or on the Sunday or Saturday closest to 18 October, which is Anti-Trafficking Day, or another day focussed on modern slavery. See also United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, 30th July.
It aims to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking and show the world our compassion for men, women and children who are trafficked and exploited around the world.
At the close of 2014 a number of world faith leaders including Argentine Rabbi Dr Abraham Skorka, Pope Francis, Archbishop Welby, Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi and Zen Master Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong signed an historic declaration aimed at tackling human trafficking and modern slavery. It stated that everyone is born with dignity and freedom, and anything that injured that was an “abhorrent crime against humanity”.
Faith communities are invited to make commitments to take action to prevent the crime of human trafficking in our local and global communities.
Downloadable resources on the Stop the Traffik website. On the website you will find a three minute and five minute video clip which can be used in worship on Freedom Sunday.
See also United Nations
See also this clip on Fortune website.
Liturgical service of worship
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
The freedom of the Peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you
HYMN
PRAYER
Let us pray.
We pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory,
may give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation
as we come to know and worship him this day.
May the eyes of our heart enlightened,
Bring us to know what is the hope to which we have been called,
the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,
and the immeasurable greatness of your power for us who believe.
God as you put this power to work in Christ
when you raised him from the dead,
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
You have put all things under his feet and have made him the head over all things for the church,
We are his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all
and brings freedom to all, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
Lord, have mercy on us :
and by your Holy Spirit empower us to love you,
and all our neighbours by bringing freedom to all in bondage.
God of love and liberty,
We pray this Freedom Sunday
That you may instil your will and your ways,
In your people, and in all people.
That justice may roll down like waters,
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Open our hearts to those in slavery,
That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay
And will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
HEARING THE WORD OF GOD
Readings of the day
or
Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 34:8-17
Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Gospel Reading Luke 4:14-20
HYMN
SERMON
HYMN
OFFERING
We pray for your church that they may accept the faith, grace and love, That you freely and generously give
so that as we join together in the ongoing mission of Christ;
And that we may see unity and truth being shared together,
For the sake of service to your world
And the glory of your holy name.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our pray
We give you thanks for the saints that have gone before,
who gave their lives for the abolition of slavery,
and the freedom and dignity of all people.
By your grace may we follow their example and the calling of your Holy Spirit, to share together in bringing in your will for the world.
Father, hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
At the conclusion of the prayers the minister may say
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
SENDING OUT
Go out in peace and bring freedom to all we find and affect.
Be anointed to bring good news to the poor,
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
Go out with the peace of God, the purpose of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit. To love and serve the world.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
