Awake, My Soul
Fair Trade Coffee Around the World
Read Scripture: Psalm 57:7-11 NIV
Welcome and Icebreaker
“Coffee Connections” –Ask each woman a coffee-related question: “How do you take your coffee?” or “What’s your favorite coffee memory?”
Education
If you’re like most people, you are not completely sure what Fair Trade Coffee means. There are many luxuries and convivences that are available for which we pay. We believe that those cost are what the producers of the product are making, but in many cases that’s not true. Check out this link to learn more about Fair Trade Coffee, why it’s important, and the ethical everyday choices we can make with one little cup of coffee.
https://cornercoffeestore.com/what-does-fair-trade-coffee-mean/
Worship Songs
- “Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord” by Michael W. Smith – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwqpKD-qBt4
- “God of Justice” by Tim Hughes –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ervz11HibSk
Creative Element
DIY Fair Trade Coffee Scrub
Using fair trade coffee, sugar, and coconut oil, create a simple body scrub to take home as a reminder to live intentionally.
- Take 1/3 cup of any fair-trade coffee grounds and add to a large bowl with 1 cup of raw or granulated sugar
- Mix until combined and slowly add in coconut oil until it reaches a desired consistency (similar to wet sand.)
- Put your Fair-Trade Coffee Hand Scrub in a sealed container. Use within 1 year.
To Use: take a small amount and rub onto your hands, rinse off excess and dry hands.
Service Project
Support Fair Trade Farmers – Collect donations to purchase fair trade coffee for a local shelter or community program. Alternatively, write prayer cards for farmers and their families.
Decor and Ambiance
– Set up a “Global Coffee Bar” with fair trade coffee from different countries.
– Use earthy tones and woven baskets for a cozy, organic feel.
– Place maps or globes to highlight coffee-growing regions.
– Display quotes on justice and stewardship around the space.
-If you don’t want to have a coffee bar, you can use a coffee-scented candle to fill the room with the aroma of coffee.
Awake, My Soul
Psalm 57:7-11 reminds us that worship isn’t just about singing. It’s about how we live our daily lives. In the midst of hardship, David chose to awaken his soul to worship God, declaring that his heart is steadfast. Likewise, we are called to awaken to the needs of the world around us and align our lives with God’s justice and compassion. One way we do this is through the choices we make, even in something as simple as the coffee we drink.
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. Yet many coffee farmers struggle to earn a fair wage. Unethical labor practices, low wages, and poor working conditions are common in the coffee industry. Fair trade coffee seeks to change this by ensuring that farmers receive just compensation, work in safe environments, and have opportunities for community development. As followers of Christ, we are called to ‘act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God’ (Micah 6:8). Choosing fair trade coffee is one small way we can live out this biblical mandate.
Just as David’s worship was a response to God’s goodness, our ethical choices can also be an act of worship. When we make decisions that reflect God’s love and justice, we honor Him. As we drink our coffee today, let’s reflect on the people behind it—farmers, workers, and their families. Let’s pray that our hearts remain steadfast, awake to God’s call for justice, and responsive to the needs of the world around us.
Reflection Question: How can I align my daily choices with my faith in a way that honors God and others? Maybe that is with coffee or something else in my life.
Closing Prayer
Lord, today we pray for coffee farmers, ethical businesses, and that God would awaken our souls to justice and compassion in everyday choices. Help us to learn more about the things you care about, so that we can be more like you. We love You; we praise You, and we give You the glory for all the delicious coffee! Amen.
