Crystal Lake church youth to perform annual Christmas cantata Dec. 4

Posted November 10, 2022 10:00 pm

Submitted by Ann Tucker

On Sunday, Dec. 4, the First Congregational Church's youth and children choirs will present an original cantata "And They Named Me Jesus" at both the 9 and 11 a.m. at the church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake.

The cantata's script, written by the late Donna Sarvay, a former member of FCC, features the third- to eighth-grade FCC's youth and children's choirs.

David Denlinger (Crystal Lake) and Greta Nott (Crystal Lake) are the narrators who begin the story written by FCC member Donna Sarvay.

Last performed at FCC in 2016, Jesus, played by Mary Jeffries (Crystal Lake) and Noah Prather (Crystal Lake), asks his friends, Sarah, Rachael, and Samuel, to stay for supper. His friends are played by Lucy Moritz (Woodstock), Pearl Jeffries (Crystal Lake) and Sam Fistler (Crystal Lake) at 9 a.m. and Claire Martin (Lake in the Hills), Charlotte Martin (Lake in the Hills) and Briggs Gesler (Crystal Lake) at 11 a.m. They are coming to his birthday party the next day. His friends think Jesus made up all the things in the story of how he was born and asks his mother and father to tell the story one more time.

Mary played by Abby Turner (Crystal Lake) and Lily Dittrich (Crystal Lake) will sing a solo in the Italian carol "Dormi, Dormi" and Joseph, played by Joaquin Ochoa (Crystal Lake) and Cam Hay (Crystal Lake) will sing a solo on the German carol "Take Heart the Journey's Ended."

Maddy Kamp (McHenry) plays the angel who visits the shepherd and Matthew Kyrouac (Crystal Lake) will play a shepherd.

Ann Tucker, director of music, directs the cast and the Chancel and Carol Choirs. Church organist Danielle Cairoli will accompany.

There will be no Sunday school classes so all children may attend church with their parents to enjoy the wonderful presentation in drama and song. Childcare will be available for infants and toddlers.

Visitors are welcome to any church activity.

First Congregational Church is handicapped accessible. For more information, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.