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Please Note:
This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. 
It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.
It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events.


Richard
Good morning. In 1882 the Founder and first General of the Salvation Army, William Booth, bought an old roller skating rink and changed its use to what, at that time, was a Fresh Expression of Church. Ever since those days the Regent Hall Corps has ministered here in the heart of Londonís West End just a few metres from Oxford Circus. We find ourselves almost at the intersection of the two busiest streets in Europe, and just around the corner from the London Palladium. As such our community is bustling and wonderfully diverse.  Visitors and neighbours, rich and poor, find a welcome here daily, in what is the only Church on Oxford Street. 


Last Friday was International Anti-Slavery Day and in this act of worship we explore Christian support of adult victims of modern slavery. The Salvation Army has been engaged with the issue of modern slavery since its earliest days. Our work with adult victims of modern slavery nowadays is wide ranging including counselling, legal advice and medical assistance and help moving on towards an independent life.


Our first hymn praises the God who creates, and through even the dark night of the cross, liberates and recreates: ëHow Great Thou Artí.   


Hymn How Great Thou Art


Caroline
Tender and gracious God, who in Jesus Christ came to a world frightened and perplexed, we praise you for the liberating work of your son Jesus who brings hope to the hurting and light into darkness. Lord, in your mercy we lift up those who find themselves enslaved and at the mercy of powerful masters. 
Comfort those frightened in body, mind and spirit and visit them with your peace. We ask this in name of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 


Richard   
Major Kathy Betteridge is The Salvation Armyís Territorial Director for Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery and Kathy is bringing our first Bible Reading, from Luke, Chapter 6. 


Bible Reading: Luke 6 vs 20-23


CarolineNorree Webb is a lifelong member of the Salvation Army and is a first responder within the Salvation Army's Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit.


Music: People need the Lord (International Staff Songsters)

Caroline:  The International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army, conducted by Dorothy Nancekievill. We now hear words from a victim of modern slavery, who we'll call R.


Insert: R
Music: All my trials (International Staff Songsters)


Caroline
R contacted the Salvation Army who arranged a safe time when he and his family could escape. He now has a new life, new job, and is safe. He recently said ìI found hope, I found light, and I have a future as well. I believe that my heart is different, it is changed And I thank God that he changed it, because I have a family, I have a job, I have a church where I can go, I have certainty.


We now hear words from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 2, read by Mark Walton, who leads our Songsters, our choir, here at the Regent Hall.


Bible Readings: Ephesians 2

CarolineOur next hymn is about the Grace and Justice of God who loves us all but with a watchful bias towards the marginalised: ìBeauty for Brokenness, hope for despair, Lord, in your suffering world this is our prayer. After that, we hear words from Major Richard Mingay.

Hymn: Beauty for Brokenness (Verses 1,2 & 5)


RichardIn 1642 the artist Rembrandt completed a painting called ëThe Nightwatchí.  


It's a monumental work. The genius of the artist, the subject matter and not least its sheer size, all contribute to its legendary status.  But it is well-known that, through the years and for varying reasons this work has been subject to acts of vandalism. After such an attack The Nightwatch undergoes what is often a lengthy, painstaking restoration process. You see, this work is said to be worth over half a billion pounds.  No matter the knife slashes, no matter the substances thrown at it, No matter what damage, this painting is too valuable not to be restored.   


In our Bible Reading we see how Jesus assesses human value through the eyes of God. Value is not to do with pounds or position, status or celebrity.  Here we find the Jesus who says: though you are poor, you are too valuable not to be restored, the kingdom of God is yours.  

Though hungry, you are too valuable not to be restored. You will be satisfied now and forever. Though you weep, you are too valuable not to be restored, a time will come when tears will be stemmed and you will experience a joy once again. Simple words to say - and a basic sentiment to understand - but the deeper point is about the significance and precious nature of human worth. Everyone is worthy - and for the slave & even the slave driver ñ for the trafficked & even the trafficker, there is a way out.  For that to happen, a safe place of spiritual grounding and reframing must be found, and because we human beings are fundamentally spiritual, such a place is available. The theologian Paul Tillich called it, the place of Common Ground and the place of Being. So if God is Being and Christ is God, then we can only journey to the Ground that is called Calvary.  

Here is the place where the most hideous treatment that humans could mete against each other - was wonderfully transformed into new life.   On the cross at Calvary Christ's agonising cry My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?  is a shout of abandonment that is fully inclusive. This cry unites every victim there is and ever was.  The Victim Christ hangs there as Isaiah wrote- Despised and rejected. He hangs dying slowly in the same dark world as those who feel worthless, powerless, misunderstood, marginalised, used, abused and forgotten. It's the cry of the One, who Scripture tells us starkly, became as nothing!      


On this Sunday we remember that there are people, quite probably in your own High Street, who treat fellow human beings as commodities to be sold and controlled.  Any form of slavery or addiction to control - that harms others must be fully addressed with a fearless, strong intent which declares without compromise, that No-one is For Sale!

This is where we trust completely the God of Justice, of whom the old prophet Job said: God reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. This means that the perpetrator will never be in charge.   Our Scripture speaks out this morning and says: No-one is worth nothing.


Five years ago, he sat next to me in the front seat of my car. In his twenties, he was quiet, his head bowed and his thin, pale frame shook - fearful and frightened. He was from Eastern Europe.  He had been trafficked. My wife and I had been asked to take him to board a train where we were living and ministering in Devon. He would then go on to meet Salvation Army colleagues in another part of the country who would transport him to a safe house. As we walked along the station platform I said to him:  I want you to know that there is a God who loves you. You are worth that Love! With his tears, I received a half-smile in return and I believe that this young man was & is actually God's Person in every sense. 


We thank God for everyone who cares and plays a part in offering The Way of Hope.  
Sometimes it's through active participation in justice movements. For others in all faith communities, it may be through prayers or through united local engagement. Indeed TSA has fought against human trafficking and especially child trafficking since the 1880's, and in this Century thousands of victims worldwide are still rescued each year. I firmly believe that-whether they believe it or not, there is a non-partisan God who is in it with them too loving them unconditionally!  No-one is exempt. 


In these days when we hear talk of Fake News, we'd do well to remember that the word Gospel means Good News or Good Story. It's a story affirmed by countless witnesses through the ages.  It's a story of rescue and redemption, and of victory for the victimised. Many such testimonies speak of a new start through what had been the most seemingly hopeless of circumstances.  To the beleaguered; to those on the margins of society, to those people who told themselves that they were worth nothing ñ Jesus said: You are worth the Kingdom. His scarred body is ultimate proof of human value.. // The playwright Thornton Wilder had one of his characters say to another:-  To our wounds, only God's wounds can speak. 


I understand that if you look at Rembrandts Nightwatch closely enough you can just make out a small scar in the canvas. 

It's still just visible, the remnant of a past violation. For any victim, even though the scars of attack may well remain - seen & unseen - in the eyes of God, no mark from the past can ever devalue Personhood in the present. 


Whatever the hurt, there is a Redeemer-God who reframes, restores and renews His supreme and beloved creation. May we not be fearful of going deep enough in our hearts to discover and acknowledge God's all-embracing Love. In these days, good people must stand resolutely against the insidious acts of Modern Slavery - and any act that demeans another human being. That stand, by Christ's cross, declares that there will be liberation for the slave and there can be resolution for us all - whatever our Story. 


We have already heard Ephesians 2 verse 10 this morning. Here it is again but this time from the New Living Translation. 
It confirms the Truth:-  ëFor we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.              


May you Trust in the God who says - you're Priceless! That surely, is good news for the day.  


Music: All there is of me (International Staff Songster)


Ali
Father God, we pray for those who are the victims of human trafficking. We pray for all those involved in the process of rescue and restoration. 
May the hope of Jesus fill each heart of those we encounter. May our doors be open to welcome everyone who enters, may each person find acceptance and understanding; may the love and grace of Jesus be seen in those who serve God here. 


ALL: We rejoice in your boundless salvation


Father God, we pray for our country. We pray for our political leaders at this time of debate and decision. 
May they always consider the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities.


ALL: We rejoice in your boundless salvation


We bring to you all who are struggling with life, living in fear, feeling lost or lonely. We ask you Father to reach out to all in need of you right now, thinking especially of the many threads of tragedy interweaving, one with another, in the stories emerging from those rescued from trafficking. 
Touch them and their families, and all of us with your peace, your love and your comfort. 


ALL: We rejoice in your boundless salvation


We pray together in the words that Jesus taught us:


Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. 
And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.


RichardHere in this place of worship we have a tall Cross that stands central on our platform.  Again this morning, it is our sure ground. 
It is a safe place where we thank the Lord of Heaven and earth for the Grace, The Mercy and The Resurrection Future that God has given us through Jesus Christ. 


Our final hymn looks forward in hope. It reminds us of the Christ who comes from the future, to the present, in order to deal with the past.  
His cross tells us that, for all who suffer in whatever way, there is a Coming Kingdom, and that nothing and no-one has any right to hold a fellow earth-dweller captive.  


Hymn:  Lord for the Years


Richard


And now - 
May the Embrace of the Almighty be the comfort you desire.
May the Name of the Son be the Name on whom you rely.
May the Presence of the Spirit be with you every hour.
And May the Three in One be the focus of all you are Ö 
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray -
Amen.