November 29 2020 First Sunday of Advent
Pastor Janet Hansted
Thursday, September 17th Day #5 of “God’s work, Our hands” Week
God's Work, Our Hands!
Dear St. Luke Friends,
Day #5: Thursday, September 17, 2020
God’s Work, Our Hands Week!
Learn, Grow, Serve – Setting Aside an Hour a Day to serve God and our Neighbors!
THEME:
Serving God by Caring for our Enslaved Children
*** Please note,
Several of today’s resources are serious / graphic in nature –
care should be taken regarding exposure of children to any of the resources.
BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: Isaiah 58:6-7
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Reflection:
We tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what we WANT from God…health, security, success, healing of relationships and the social fabric of our society, an end to the virus!
Today we think about what GOD WANTS from us! God wants every child, every person to know they are cherished, to be free of oppression and abuse. When the prophet Isaiah writes, “Is this not the fast that I choose?” he is giving voice to God’s heart – what sacrifice does God want from us? Not rituals, not pro-forma obligations, but that we take care of those who are vulnerable – that we put an end to their suffering!
Those who prey on children’s hopeful hearts are the biggest monsters they will ever encounter. They need the help of the adult village to rescue them and give them a second chance at life! That’s us! They’re waiting for us!
LOVE ACTIONS:
Start small, learn more, invest yourself!
God’s Work in 3 Minutes:
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Watch Video: Waiting for you to Notice by Shared Hope International
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10 Ways You Can Help End Trafficking-choose 1 and try it!
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Forward the Weekly Word to a friend–or post an invite on Social Media – invite neighbors/friends to join us for worship on Sundays: (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/995878026)
God’s Work in <30 Minutes:
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Read the Basics of Human Trafficking: National Human Trafficking Hotline Overview
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Read: Forbes Magazine Article, “The Trauma Economy: The Demand For Sex Trafficking And The Fight To End It” by Tori Utley
God’s Work in 1-3 Hours:
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Watch the movie or read the book: “Trade” *(note Movie is rated R-graphic) available on Amazon Prime
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Read the article “The Girls Next Door” by Peter Landsman which the movie "Trade" was based upon.
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Watch (54 min.): Frontline / PBS “Sex Trafficking in America”
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Read a book: Not for Sale: the Return of the Global Slave Trade—And How We Can Fight It!; Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir by Rachel Lloyd (Available on Amazon, Audible or Kindle)
God’s blessing to you.
Pastor Janet
Rev. Janet L. Hansted
St. Luke Lutheran Church
5312 Comercio WayWoodland Hills, CA 91364
FB: StLukeWoodlandHills
818 436-2850 ch. ofc.
(*All suggestions for movies and books are intended to acquaint the faithful with some aspects of the theme of the day. Should there be aspects of the movie or specifics associated with content, actors, production or other aspects of the movie/book which are objectionable, please note St. Luke is not endorsing all aspects of each resource listed, only making suggestions for potentially helpful experiences in focusing on the themes for the day.)