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REST
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
CENTER FOR WORSHIP AND THE ARTS
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Animate
flex
an interactive guide for teams and
individuals
Summer 2020
Animate flex
an interactive guide for teams and individuals
Summer 2020SAMFORD UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR WORSHIP AND THE ARTS Animate flex: A Guide for Teams and Individuals © 2020 Samford University Center for Worship and the Arts by Eric L. Mathis, Tracy Hanrahan, and Wen Reagan All Rights Reserved Published in the United States of America by Samford University Center for Worship and the Arts 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Project Lead: Tracy Hanrahan www.samford.edu/worship-arts/animate/animate-flex
Table of Contents Table of Contents ..............................................................4 How to use this Guide .......................................................6 Why Animate ....................................................................8 Why Animate flex..............................................................8 Who can use Animate flex .................................................9 Time commitment for Animate flex ...................................9 What to do with Animate flex...........................................10 Join the Animate flex Webinar ...........................................11 Tell us how you use Animate flex ......................................11 The Animate flex WEBSITE ..............................................13 WORSHIP ........................................................................14 SELAH .............................................................................16 SMALL GROUPS ...............................................................17 THE STUDIO ....................................................................19 THE TOOLBOX CLASSES .................................................22 FESTIVAL OF WORSHIP ..................................................23 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ...............................................25 How to use ANIMATE flex TEAM ......................................27 ANIMATE flex TEAM........................................................28 WEEK INTENSIVE ...........................................................28 ANIMATE flex TEAM .......................................................30
WEEKEND RETREAT ......................................................30 ANIMATE flex TEAM ........................................................32 4-6 WEEK SUMMER WORSHIP STUDY .............................32 How to use ANIMATE flex SINGLE....................................37 ANIMATE flex SINGLE MODULES ....................................38 Animate flex Theme ........................................................42 The 5 Themes of Rest ......................................................43 The Center for Worship and the Arts ...............................46
How to use this Guide
This guide is interactive. It is intended to supplement the
Animate flex Website. You'll see text marked in blue that
serves as a link to the documents referenced on the website
or other sections in this guide.
Click here to watch the Animate flex
Introductory VideoPart 1 Animate and Animate flex
Why Animate Animate is a summer worship leadership program for teenagers and their adult mentors, usually a youth pastor, music and worship pastor, chaplain, or lay leader. Sponsored by the Center for Worship and the Arts (CWA) at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, Animate has been on the Samford campus the last week in June since 2014. Why Animate flex Spring and Summer 2020 will go down in history as a season to remember because of COVID-19. The CWA staff has recalibrated Animate in person for use by teams and individuals safely in their local contexts with Animate flex. Animate flex is a virtual worship leader training experience designed to be brought to life in a variety of contexts. While all of the resources included in Animate flex are representative of past in-person Animates, each program element has been re-purposed for more flexible usage in these days of social distancing and other community gathering safety guidelines. Our prayer is that God will use these biblical, Christ- centered materials to help students hone worship leadership skills, prompt adults to sharpen their mentoring tools, and help everyone engage the intersection between worship, theology and the arts.
Who can use Animate flex
Animate flex is designed for teenagers who have completed
grades 7-12 and are interested in worship or worship
leadership. Animate flex is most effective when engaged by
teens and adult leaders together.
However, every year some of the students who benefit
most from Animate are highly motivated teens who attend
the worship arts program by themselves.
So, who can use Animate flex?
• Individuals
• Teams meeting virtually
• Teams who adhere to social distancing guidelines
and choose to meet in person
Time commitment for Animate flex
It’s totally up to you. We recognize that many youth group
summer plans have been disrupted. Our hope is that
Animate flex will help fill some of those gaps in a
meaningful way. The materials can be utilized completely
separate of one another, or as part of a coordinated student
group event.
We’ve outlined the following options in our guide:
• Teams over a week, weekend, or the summer
• Highly-motivated teens at their own pace (we
recommend 6 modules done over 6 weeks)What to do with Animate flex Worship Experience a wide range of worship styles and practices through worship orders and video tutorials created by Animate Guest Artists. Use the completed worship orders provided as is to lead worship, or adapt for use in ways that are more appropriate for your current worship context. Learn Gain practical skills in worship leadership through Guest Artist tutorials, Toolbox Class video workshops and, most of all, engaging the lessons by doing them on your own! This is a wonderful opportunity to, not only improve in areas within your comfort zone, but also try something new. Are you a musician? Why not try some of the visual art ideas? Visual artists, why not give some of the spoken word suggestions a shot? We could go on and on, but you get the idea. Lead Use the resources provided to lead a group or yourself as an individual through a focused season of REST. Find sample schedules and options for use under the Additional Resources tab, or simply use the various materials independently of one another in a way that works best for you. Reflect From Selah prayer practices to small group curriculum to a variety of worship order options, there are plenty of opportunities for reflection with Animate flex. Reflection is
always better with a group of friends or an adult mentor. We encourage you to find ways to engage in conversation with others about the intersection of worship, theology and the arts and the important role of REST. Join the Animate flex Webinar For more ideas and conversation about how to use Animate flex in your particular context, join CWA Executive Director Dr. Eric Mathis Monday, June 8 at 10:00 CST for a free webinar. Register here to reserve your spot. Tell us how you use Animate flex We want to connect with you, even though we’re unable to meet together in person. As you or your group use the materials to lead worship or create new worship resources, we encourage you to post pictures and videos to social media using the hashtag #AnimateFlex. You can also email us at cwa@samford.edu. We’d love to celebrate and worship with you!
Part 2 The Animate flex Website
The Animate flex WEBSITE
The Animate flex website contains a number of resources.
Each of them can be used as a stand-alone resource.
Each of them can be used as part of a larger entity.
This might be a week long intensive, weekend retreat, or
summer worship study. View Animate flex Teams here.
View Animate flex Individual here.
The component parts of the website are:
• Introduction to Animate flex
• Worship
• Selah
• Small Groups
• The Studio
• Toolbox Classes
• Festival of Worship
• Additional Resources
Each page has an introductory video at the top. You’ll do
well to start there. It will provide a good overview for each
page. Each page also has a series of blue drawers that open
when you click on them. Between the video and written
contents here, we think you have everything you need to
implement Animate flex in your setting.
Like all good things, you'll need to spend some time
getting to know the website before using them or leading
with them. This section walks you through each part of the
website to help you imagine Animate flex in your setting.WORSHIP
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Worship Video.
THEME DOCUMENT
Each year, Animate has had an overarching theme that we
engage in worship and throughout the week. The 2020
theme is REST. The theme document is organized around 5
themes: Rest in God, Rest from Anxiety, Active Rest, Rest
from Expectations, Rest in Christ. Team leaders will want to
use this as a reference document while engaging Animate
materials. A summary is included in this guide.
WORSHIP PLANNING KITS
There are four worship planning kits associated with
Animate flex. They correspond with the themes of Rest in
God, Rest from Anxiety, Active Rest, and Rest in Christ.
Each kit has four items:
• Worship order from Animate worship leader
• Video sermon from Animate preacher
• Worship planning pro-tips from worship leader
• Preaching pro-tips from preacher
The kits were designed to be flexible. You might:
• Implement them in your local context exactly as
outlined with the digital content provided;
• Use them as a guide for you to plan and implement
your own worship service using ours as a guide;
• Study them to learn the process of worship planning
and preaching around a particular theme.SUPPLEMENTAL WORSHIP MATERIALS As you move through the Worship Planning Kits, you will notice some specific elements of Spoken Word, the Animate Theme Song, and Visual Art. The Spoken Word section has three dramas referenced in the worship planning kits. The “Genesis 1-2 Recitation” from Samford faculty member Don Sandley can be a model for students to perform a passage of scripture themselves. “The Poet Recitation” from Hanna Watson can be used for students to create their spoken word on a theme. “I Feel Alone” can be performed by students. For more inspiration, we included spoken word from Animates past. The Theme Song for Animate 2020 is “Wait on the Lord,” and it was written by CWA Associate Director Wen Reagan. We’ve provided the lead sheet and chord chart along with a recording and pro tips for students to learn, play, and lead the song. The 5 Visual Art pieces were commissioned for Animate 2020. Designed by Samford University Professor Joe Cory, they can be incorporated into worship gatherings above. Each has a description, accompanying scripture, and reflection questions that can be engaged by individuals or in the context of community. Songwriting Contest We are having a virtual songwriting contest with our guest artists, Urban Doxology. The goal is for a 7-12 grader to write a new song on a theme of rest without using the word “rest.” To participate, read the instructions and complete this form.
SELAH
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Selah Video.
Selah, a term borrowed from Psalms, is a way of pausing
and reflecting. This page includes resources for quiet time.
DAILY EXAMEN
The Daily Examen is an ancient prayer practice done at the
beginning or end of the day. Our example includes a five-
part process of Thanksgiving, Asking for Light, Reviewing
the day, Confession, and Looking toward the new day.
COMPLINE: EVENING LITURGY FOR ANXIOUS SOULS
Compline is a daily evening prayer service practiced by
Christians around the world. We’ve turned it into a 10
minute podcast to pray with before bedtime.
LECTIO DIVINA
Lectio divina is an ancient practice for reading and praying
scripture passages. Our guide shows the process of lectio
divina that can be used with any scripture passage.
Consider using one of the scriptures from the theme
documents as you engage lectio divina with Animate flex.
PRAYING IN COLOR
Adult coloring books are popular these days, and our friend
Sybil MacBeth has taught us how to use coloring as a means
of prayer. Students can use these handouts, or start with
blank paper and coloring utensils of their own as a creative
way to engage prayer.SMALL GROUPS
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Small Group Video.
SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Small groups reflect on each aspect of the theme, as well as
other elements throughout Animate flex. They can be used
on their own without other Animate materials, or with
other Animate materials.
If you plan to use the Small Group Curriculum, you’ll
want to begin with the Leader’s Guide. This will provide an
overview of content, audience, leadership, and flow. It also
has a supply list of the items you’ll need to have if you are
doing the curriculum in person.
The small group study is intentionally friendly to all
generations. This might be a place where those of you in a
congregational context explore creative ways for organizing
small groups of teenagers, adults, and senior adults.
SIX SESSIONS
The sessions of the small group curriculum correspond to
the five themes corresponding to REST. We added a sixth
session on “Eternal Rest” in case you’d like to make this a
six-week study from the middle of June through the end of
July.
The session documents are intended for the leader only,
not the participants of the small group. Participants willneed their Bible and the other materials you might provide, unless you forgo the recommended activities. Generally, we have found that groups of 4 to 8 work well with this curriculum. Note that we've provided options for one large group, multiple small groups, or a combination of the two in the outlines.
THE STUDIO
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Studio Video.
The Studio contains three 45-60 minute conversations that
help students dig deeper into themes of anxiety, sabbath,
rest, and worship leadership. They can be viewed and
discussed in a small group, or as an individual activity.
MENTAL HEALTH AND ANXIETY
This conversation is with four individuals who each have
varied perspectives on mental health and anxiety:
• Rev. Lyndsay Clark, MSW/LICSW, PIP, MDiv, University
Counselor and Wellness Coordinator at Samford
University.
• Rev. April Robinson, Assistant Vice President for
Student Development and Support at Samford
University.
• Susan Sallin, Vice President of Education, National
Alliance on Mental Illness, Birmingham, Alabama
Chapter.
• Dr. Dennis Sansom, Chair and Professor of Philosophy,
at Samford University.
After you watch, engage these questions for reflection:
• The individuals on the video defined mental health.
What do you think of when you hear the words mental
health? How did the definitions given here resonate with
you, or inform you?• The conversation talked about mental health in the
Gospel, scripture, and the Christian life. What stood out
to you?
• The conversation addressed the well-being of the whole
person: body, mind, and heart. This includes our
headspace and our emotions. Where might you have
work to do to grow yourself in this balance with the
whole person?
WRESTLING WITH REST
This conversation is with Dr. Nathan (Nate) Stucky of
Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Stucky is author of
Wrestling with Rest: Inviting Youth to Discover the Gift of
Sabbath.
After you watch, engage these questions for reflection:
• Let’s begin with a general question. What from this
conversation stood out to you?
• Dr. Stucky defined sabbath and rest, and he said, “Not
all rest is sabbath.” Let’s talk more about that. How do
you think about sabbath? How do you think about rest?
• Why do we need rest and sabbath?
• Do you currently practice “sabbathing?”
• Do you find that you “wrestle with rest”? How might Dr.
Stucky’s comments make you feel better about that, and
what might you do in the future to help your own
anxiety around rest?
• Dr. Stucky said that to pursue rest, you must do it with
others. Who might you enlist to help you pursue
“sabbathing”?
• How might you pursue sabbath with the help of these
individuals?WORSHIP LEADERS, REST, AND ANXIETY
This conversation is with three ministers:
• Rev. Sandra Van Opstal, Pastor for Grace and Peace
Community in Chicago, Illinois; and author of The
Next Worship.
• Rev. Zac Hicks, Canon for Worship and Liturgy at the
Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham,
Alabama; and author of The Worship Pastor.
• Rev. Rich Havard, Pastor and Executive Director of
The Inclusive Collective in Chicago, Illinois.
After you watch, engage these questions for reflection:
• In many ways, this video is about the anxiety that
worshipers and worship leaders experience. Do you find
that you have anxiety? How has that been manifest in
your life?
• The beginning of the conversation had a scenario where
a worship leader said, “Leave your troubles at the door
and just worship.” Our panelists responded to that. How
would you respond to that scenario?
• The panelists talked about the anxiety in the world, and
its relationship to worship. Do you feel that worship has
a responsibility to address anxiety in the world?
• The conversation also addressed the anxiety of the
worship leader. If you are a worship leader, how do you
experience anxiety? How might you address that as a
result of what these three individuals suggested?THE TOOLBOX CLASSES
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Toolbox Video.
The Toolbox Classes are a micro-cosm of a larger part of the
CWA website where we have more than thirty 2 to 8 minute
instructional videos on a variety of topics.
On the Animate flex Toolbox Class page, you’ll find twelve
videos that are among our most popular. They are there to
help students move from thinking about worship to
planning and leading worship.
• Art and the Internet
• Creating an Art Installation
• Giving a Welcome
• In Between Words
• Knowing God through Art
• Lighting Design
• Rehearsing a Band
• Sight and Sound Theatre – Jesus
• Sight and Sound Theatre – Samson
• Transitions in Music
• Vocation and Calling
• Worship Orders
You might encourage students to watch these videos
individually, on their own time, or in a small group with
friends. They can then return to the worship orders we've
provided to put their new skills into practice, or plan to do
that through the Festival of Worship Page.FESTIVAL OF WORSHIP
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
Start with the Animate Flex Festival of Worship Video.
THE FESTIVAL OF WORSHIP
If there is a high and holy moment at in-person Animate, it
is the Festival of Worship (FOW). The FOW places teenagers
into small groups of 4-6 each.
At the beginning of the exercise, students receive a literal
toolbox with some guidance, a theme, required resources,
and optional materials that must be used in their worship
service. You would need to prepare these in advance; we
keep them hidden until the small groups receive them.
Once students receive the toolboxes, they work together
over six hours to plan, practice, and lead a 15-minute
worship service for their peers. In your context, this could
be a longer service that they lead ala “Youth Sunday” or for
their parents or other adults.
If you have multiple groups, we usually do a rotation that
looks like this:
• Practice (15 minutes) alone
• Lead (15 minutes) with worshipers
• Reflect (15 minutes) with worshipers and facilitator
• Move (5 minutes) to next groupFESTIVAL OF WORSHIP TOOLBOXES The Animate flex site has 5 Toolboxes. Each Toolbox focuses on a person in scripture, especially those who may have had cause for anxiety, worry, and fear and needed to learn to Rest. Toolbox 1 has the theme “Consider the Life of Paul” and focuses on passages from Acts 9, Psalm 103 or 30; and Galatians 2. Toolbox 2 has the theme “Consider the Life of David” and focuses on passages from 2 Samuel, Psalm 51, and 1 John 1. Toolbox 3 has the theme “Consider the Life of Esther” and focuses on passages from Esther 4, Psalm 98, Matthew 6, and Ephesians 1. Toolbox 4 has the theme “Consider the Life of Peter” and focuses on passages from John 13, 18, and 21; Psalm 23, Acts 4, and 1 Peter 5. Toolbox 5 has the theme “Consider the Life of Mary” and focuses on passages from Luke 1, Isaiah 7, and Psalm 8. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS We recommend that students use these websites and resources as they plan worship around these themes: hymnary.org, the Worship Sourcebook, and Psalms for All Seasons. There may be additional items that your students will find helpful in their planning process, such as hymnals or prayer books from your tradition. You might also consider giving them access to software your church or school might use, such as Planning Center Online.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Materials in this section reference the blue drawers at this link.
HOW TO USE ANIMATE flex
Think of this section, and these documents, as an
instruction manual for the Animate flex website.
ANIMATE THROUGH THE YEARS
It’s hard to grasp Animate if you haven't attended in
person, so we provided a few recap videos to give a sense
of the ethos for new comers to Animate. Start with this
video if you're new.
If you have been to Animate, then you are probably sad,
like us, that it is not happening in person this year. Watch
these videos, shed a tear, and look forward to next year.
THE VILLAGE
The Village can’t be duplicated on the internet. It was a set
of four tents in the Samford University quad: Art, Music,
Recreation, and Snacks. It is where Animate campers
gathered each night for fun, food, and foot-loose fancy-free
fellowship.
We’ve provided some of our favorite games, food, songs,
and materials from each tent in case you'd like to use them
as part of “free time” in your Animate flex.
OUR TEAM
This drawer introduces you to the Samford Students who
were to work Animate this summer. Our full-time staff is
here if you need us. Email cwa@samford.edu.Part 3 Animate flex for Teams
How to use ANIMATE flex TEAM 12-Steps for a TEAM using Animate flex • Pray about whether Animate flex is right for you. • Download the Animate flex Guidebook. • Participate in the Animate flex webinar. • Get permission from key stakeholders. • Choose your schedule (week, weekend, or summer). • Identify and invite your team. • Name key personnel for support. • Communicate to staff, parents, students and others. • Download materials and gather supplies. • Implement Animate flex. • Share the results with everyone, including us! • Engage Animate participants beyond Animate flex.
ANIMATE flex TEAM WEEK INTENSIVE Do Animate flex over one week, together or online. MONDAY (4 hours) 6:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner and Overview 7:00 – 8:15 pm Animate Worship: Rest in God 8:15 – 9:00 pm Small Group Curriculum #1 9:00 – 10:00 pm The Village Bedtime Compline TUESDAY (7 hours) 9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Lectio divina 9:30 – 10:45 am Animate Worship: Rest from Anxiety 11:00 – 11:50 am Small Group Curriculum #2 12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 pm The Studio: Rest from Anxiety 2:00 – 3:00 pm Toolbox Classes: Choose 2-3 3:00 – 4:00 pm The Village Bedtime Compline WEDNESDAY (7 hours) 9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Examen Prayer 9:30 – 10:45 am Animate Worship: Active Rest 11:00 – 11:50 am Small Group Curriculum #3 12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 pm The Studio: Role of the Sabbath 2:00 – 3:00 pm Toolbox Classes: Choose 2-3 3:00 – 4:00 pm The Village Bedtime Compline
THURSDAY (12 hours)
9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Praying in Color
9:30 – 10:00 am Festival of Worship Toolbox Selection
10:00 – 12:00 pm Small Groups work on worship plan
12:00 – 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 pm Small Group Curriculum #4
1:30 – 5:30 pm Small Groups work on worship plan
5:30 – 6:30 pm Dinner
• Watch The Studio (Worship Leadership + Anxiety)
6:30 – 7:00 pm Festival Small Group Preparation
7:00 – 8:30 pm Festival of Worship
8:00 – 9:00 pm Celebration in The Village
Bedtime Compline
FRIDAY (3 hours)
9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Your choice
9:30 – 10:00 am Small Group Curriculum #5
10:00 – 11:30 am Animate Worship: Rest in Christ
11:30 – 12:00 pm Group Picture
• Social media posts with #AnimateFlex
• Email cwa@samford.eduANIMATE flex TEAM
WEEKEND RETREAT
Do Animate flex in a weekend, meeting together.
FRIDAY (4 hours)
6:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner and Overview
7:00 – 8:15 pm Animate Worship: Rest in God
8:15 – 9:00 pm Small Group Curriculum #1
9:00 – 10:00 pm The Village
Bedtime Compline
SATURDAY (12 hours)
9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Lectio divina
9:30 – 10:45 am Animate Worship: Rest from Anxiety
11:00 – 11:50 am Small Group Curriculum #2
12:00 – 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 pm Toolbox Classes: Choose 2
1:00 - 1:30 pm Festival of Worship Toolbox Selection
1:30 – 5:30 pm Small Groups work on worship plan
5:30 – 6:30 pm Dinner
• Watch The Studio (Worship Leadership + Anxiety)
6:30 – 7:00 pm Festival Group Preparation
7:00 – 8:30 pm Festival of Worship
8:00 – 9:00 pm Celebration in The Village
Bedtime ComplineSUNDAY (3 hours)
9:00 – 9:20 am Selah: Your choice
9:30 – 10:00 am Small Group Curriculum #5
10:00 – 11:30 am Animate Worship: Rest in Christ
11:30 – 12:00 pm Group Picture
• Social media posts with #AnimateFlex
• Email cwa@samford.eduANIMATE flex TEAM
4-6 WEEK SUMMER WORSHIP STUDY
Do Animate flex over the summer, meeting together or online.
90 minutes for 4 weeks.
WEEK 1 // REST IN GOD
Opening Worship (30 minutes)
Selections from Rest in God Worship Order
• Sing Wait on the Lord together, play demonstration
video, or have a soloist sing for the group
• Watch “Creation Sings” video
• Read Genesis 1:1 – 2:3
• Watch Glenn Packiam’s video sermon, Rest in God
• Display image of artwork, Rest in God
• Read artist’s description and devotional thoughts
• Pray
• Say Animate Benediction
Small Group Curriculum (30 minutes)
Small Group Curriculum #1
The Village (30 minutes)
Choose activities from the Art Tent, Music Tent, Rec. Tent,
and/or Snack Tent for you and your group to enjoy
together. If meeting in person, consider preparing options
from each tent and allowing students to choose or rotate.
As they go, suggest each student spends time on their
own using one or more of the Selah prayer practices each
morning and Compline in the evening until your next
meeting.WEEK 2 // REST FROM ANXIETY
Opening Worship (20 minutes)
Selections from Rest from Anxiety Worship Order
• Watch The Poet by Hannah Watson
• Read Psalm 23 Antithesis
• Sing Wait on the Lord together, as in week before
• Display image of artwork, Rest from Anxiety
• Read artist’s description and devotional thoughts
• Read Matthew 6:25-34
• Watch April Robinson’s sermon Rest from Anxiety
• Close with prayer, using Selah: Lectio divina guide
and Matthew 6:33-34
• Say Animate Benediction
Small Group Curriculum (25 minutes)
Small Group Curriculum #2
The Studio (45 minutes)
Mental Health and Anxiety
The Village (if desired and time allows)
Choose activities from the Art Tent, Music Tent, Rec. Tent,
and/or Snack Tent for you and your group to enjoy
together. If meeting in person, consider preparing options
from each tent and allowing students to choose or rotate.
As they go, suggest each student spends time on their
own using one or more of the Selah prayer practices each
morning and Compline in the evening until your next
meeting.WEEK 3 // ACTIVE REST
Opening Worship (20 minutes)
Selections from Rest from Active Rest Worship Order
• Begin with spoken Call to Worship
• Follow with God’s Greeting: 2 Corinthians 13:14
• Sing Holy, Holy, Holy
• Read Confession
• Display image of artwork, Active Rest
• Read artist’s description and devotional thought
• Read Words of Assurance
• Watch Cameron Thomas’s sermon Active Rest
• Play or read text of Prayer of St. Francis
• Greet one another, or pass the peace
• Say Animate Benediction
Small Group Curriculum (25 minutes)
Small Group Curriculum #3
The Studio (45 minutes)
Wrestling with Rest
The Village (if desired and time allows)
Choose activities from the Art Tent, Music Tent, Rec. Tent,
and/or Snack Tent for you and your group to enjoy
together. If meeting in person, consider preparing options
from each tent and allowing students to choose or rotate.
As they go, suggest each student spends time on their
own using one or more of the Selah prayer practices each
morning and Compline in the evening until your next
meeting.WEEK 4 // REST IN CHRIST
Opening Worship (20 - 30 minutes)
Selections from Rest in Christ Worship Order
• Call to Worship, Psalm 62
• Take time individually before the group to praise
God for God's faithfulness
• Sing Wait on the Lord together, as before
• Display image of artwork, Rest in Christ
• Read artist’s description and devotional thoughts
• Sing Lord, I Need You or other song together
• Read John 14:27
• Watch Eric Mathis’s sermon Rest in Christ
• Take communion, if your tradition allows
• Call to Discipleship
• Say Animate Benediction
Small Group Curriculum (40 - 45 minutes)
Small Group Curriculum #5
The Studio (45 minutes)
Worship Leaders, Anxiety, and Rest
The Village (if desired and time allows)
Choose activities from the Art Tent, Music Tent, Rec. Tent,
and/or Snack Tent for you and your group to enjoy
together. If meeting in person, consider preparing options
from each tent and allowing students to choose or rotate.
As they go, suggest each student spends time on their
own using one or more of the Selah prayer practices each
morning and Compline in the evening until your next
meeting.Part 4 Animate flex for Individuals
How to use ANIMATE flex SINGLE 10-Steps for an INDIVIDUAL using Animate flex • Pray about whether Animate flex is right for you. • Download the Animate flex Guidebook. • Participate in the Animate flex webinar. • Identify 1 adult and tell them what you are doing. • Identify 2 friends as accountability partners. • Commit to a time, generally 1 hour per week. • Bookmark the Animate flex website. • Engage Animate flex. • Share the results with an adult, friend, and us! • Plug into the worship ministry at your church. We're really excited you've chosen to do Animate flex on your own. On the next three pages are six modules, each of which has about 6-8 tasks to complete. Some are longer than others, and some are shorter than others. Generally, aim to do one module per week throughout the summer. Be sure to tell us you're doing it, too! We want to encourage and applaud you in your work.
ANIMATE flex SINGLE MODULES
MODULE 1 // GETTING STARTED
• Watch the Animate flex Webinar.
• Identify 1 adult and tell them what you are doing.
• Identify 2 friends as accountability partners.
• Commit to a time, about 1 hour per week this
summer.
• Bookmark the Animate flex website.
• Shoot the Center for Worship and the Arts staff an
email that says, “I'm doing Animate flex.”
• All done! That was easy.
MODULE 2 // REST IN GOD
• Do an activity from Selah.
• Read Animate Theme Document “Rest in God,” p. 2.
• Watch Glen Packiam's Sermon.
• Listen to the Animate Theme Song.
• Engage Visual Art, “Rest in God,” and journal your
response to the questions.
• Take a Toolbox Class, your choice.
• Listen to Compline before bedtime.
• Tell an adult or accountability partner 2-3 insights
you have from this module.
MODULE 3 // REST FROM ANXIETY
• Do an activity from Selah.
• Read Animate Theme Document “Rest from
Anxiety,” p. 4.
• Watch April Robinson's Sermon.• Listen to the Animate Theme Song.
• Engage Visual Art, “Rest from Anxiety,” and journal
your response to the questions.
• Take a Toolbox Class, your choice.
• Listen to Compline before bedtime.
• Tell an adult or accountability partner 2-3 insights
you have from this module.
MODULE 4 // ACTIVE REST
• Do an activity from Selah.
• Read Animate Theme Document “Active Rest,” p. 6.
• Watch Cam Thomas's Sermon.
• Listen to the Animate Theme Song.
• Engage Visual Art, “Active Rest,” and journal your
response to the questions.
• Take a Toolbox Class, your choice.
• Listen to Compline before bedtime.
• Tell an adult or accountability partner 2-3 insights
you have from this module.
MODULE 5 // REST FROM EXPECTATIONS
• Do an activity from Selah.
• Read Animate Theme Document “Rest from
Expectations,” p. 8.
• Engage Visual Art, “Rest from Expectations,” and
journal your response to the questions.
• Watch two videos from The Studio.
• Listen to Compline before bedtime.
• Tell an adult or accountability partner 2-3 insights
you have from this module.MODULE 6 // REST IN CHRIST
• Do an activity from Selah.
• Read Animate Theme Document “Rest in Christ,” p.
9.
• Watch Eric Mathis's Sermon.
• Listen to the Animate Theme Song.
• Engage Visual Art, “Rest in Christ,” and journal your
response to the questions.
• Take a Toolbox Class, your choice.
• Listen to Compline before bedtime.
• Tell an adult or accountability partner 2-3 insights
you have from this module.
• Shoot the Center for Worship and the Arts staff an
email that says, “I did Animate flex!”Part 5 Animate flex Theme
Animate flex Theme
Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying
heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (CEB)
Overview
Each year, Animate has an overarching theme that we
engage in worship and throughout the week. The 2020
theme is REST.
At Animate 2020, we explore God’s invitation to rest in
the Christ, the one whose yoke is easy, whose burden is
light. And just as the worship of God is not simply for us,
but for the life of the world, we’ll also consider what it
means to live in our world from a place of rest, rather than
a place of toil; to live under the lordship of Christ, rather
than the tyranny of Pharaoh.
Rest is an elusive practice in 21st century America. We are
bombarded by deadlines, insecurities, epidemics, divisions,
expectations, and the pressure to look like and perform as
if we’ve got everything all together.
Yet God has provided another way. For we—we who trust
in, love, and follow Jesus—have rest in the person and work
of Christ. Jesus is our rest, for he has done the work of
salvation for us and continues to work in and through us,
by the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring rest, peace, and
reconciliation to our broken world.The 5 Themes of Rest 1 // Rest in God God embedded rhythms of rest into all of creation to sustain it. Our bodies demand that we sleep each night so that we have the energy to live and work in the world throughout the day. Our art demands rhythm, a rhythm that propels our music forward towards its conclusion. These rhythms create space for us to return to the source of our inspiration and creation, and, in that source, to rest. At Animate this year, God invites us to rest. To rest in who God is and what God has done for us. To rest in the reality that we were made in the image of God. To rest in the source of all our creativity and imagination. And despite our circumstances, to rest in God’s sustenance. To rest in the conviction that God is in control, so we do not have to be. 2 // Rest from Anxiety Though we rest in the certainty of who God is, our attention so easily shifts to the things in our lives that lack certainty. We worship a God who assures us of our salvation and sanctification, and yet in practice we tend to worship the anxieties that come to rule over our lives. The yoke of anxiety and fear is a yoke of death, for anxiety and fear make for overbearing masters, demanding an unceasing toil of the mind and heart. Yet to be yoked to Christ is a gentle pull. Yes, there is brokenness and toil on the road of the Christian life, but there is the assurance of rest, for our God has already done the work for us and
actively works on our behalf. Christ is the stronger ox, guiding us along as he bears the burdens of the world. Thus, in Christ, we can rest and obey God’s command in Psalm 46: “Be still, and know that I am God.” 3 // Active Rest The Holy Spirit invites us to rest in the labor of God so that we might labor to bring rest to the divisions of the world. Yes, we are to rest so that we might labor to bring rest. We live in a divided world, a world of makeshift kingdoms built on the sinking sands of race, political parties, money, and influence. The beauty of the gospel is that we don’t carry the burden of ultimately healing these divisions. Jesus Christ has already broken down every wall through his work on the cross. Instead, we have the privilege of laboring with God to bring about that which God has already accomplished. We can work with calm diligence and in joyful suffering to heal the broken divisions of the world. And we don’t work out of anxious toil, fear, or pride, but out of love for Christ and the freedom we have from resting in the victory Jesus has already won. 4 // Rest from Expectations In Christ, we are freed from the unhealthy or sinful expectations of the world, of others, and even of ourselves. We don’t have to make ourselves perfect. God is taking care of that by guiding us into the fullness of who we are in Christ. And this has ramifications for our daily work as well. We don’t have to try to justify our existence in this world by juggling more responsibilities than we can handle,
attempting to please everybody, or “carrying our own weight.” We are in Christ, so we can be free to rest. We even can be free to fail, since we know that everything comes down not on our shoulders but on Christ’s. We can’t do it all. You can’t do it all. And you don’t have to. Instead, we are called to rest in what Christ has done for us and who we have become in him. 5 // Rest in Christ Where does our rest come from? Where is it secured? And where is it moving towards? The answer is Jesus Christ. In rest, we bear witness to the coming kingdom of Christ, a kingdom that is not of this world. And the opposite is true here and now: this world does not know true rest, nor how to practice it. Why? Because this world does not know God, and so it is wracked by anxiety, division, and the tyrannical expectations of the powers of this world—idols and kingdoms that demand our labor, hearts, and lives. Yet God’s kingdom is at hand, inaugurated by our messiah and lord, Jesus Christ. In his incarnation, obedient life, death, and resurrection. And now God’s kingdom is invading this world daily through the witness of his body on earth, his bride, the church. Jesus has conquered death and hell, vanquishing his enemies and establishing his kingdom over all the cosmos. And so we bear witness to his rule and reign through our words and actions, our prayers and convictions, and even through our rest and peace.
The Center for Worship and the Arts Mission Equipping congregations to engage intergenerational and artistic worship practices that glorify God, honor Christ, and join the transformative work of the Spirit in the world. Vision The Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University is working to secure a prominent role in the conversation of worship and the arts locally, regionally, and nationally. While the Center for Worship and the Arts shares common goals with centers and institutes on campus, in the region, and around the United States, our work with congregations to bridge the gap between youth ministry and worship ministry is unique. Through programs, research, and scholarship, we are creating a national platform for
conversations about the relationship between youth ministry and worship ministry. Samford University is an institution whose charter nearly 175 years ago declared the training of ministers and musicians for the church to be its primary goal. While Samford has expanded, the University retains its commitment to prepare ministers for the twenty-first century, and this complements the mission of the Center well. Samford maintains an active relationship with ministry groups and arts-based organizations. These organizations provide opportunities for Samford students to engage in the work of the Center as well as explore vocational options, experiment with leadership skills, and experience the rich cultural context Birmingham provides. All of these activities are suspended in a rich web of campus-based worship, discipleship, leadership, and service. Learn more about studying worship leadership at Samford.
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