'And They Named Me Jesus' to be annual Christmas cantata

First Congregational Church's youth and children choirs will perform their annual Christmas cantata with an original cantata "And They Named Me Jesus" on Sunday, Dec. 11, at both the 9 and 11 a.m. services.

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

Michael Gier of Cary and Jack Prather of Crystal Lake are the narrators who begin the story. Jesus, played by Will Green of Crystal Lake and Bennett Schullian of Cary, asks his friends, Jacob, Rachael, Aaron and Samuel, played by Anika Richard of Lakewood and Luke Tyndall, Mateo Ochoa, Kailey Dittrich, George Dimopoulos, Aiden Runge, Josh Tarter and Ben Green, all of Crystal Lake, to stay for supper.

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 Tess Hunter and Nevin Runge, both of Crystal Lake, will sing a solo in the Italian carol "Dormi, Dormi" and Joseph, played by Ben Irwin of Cary and Michael King of Huntley will sing a solo on the German carol "Take Heart the Journey's Ended." This show was last performed at FCC in 2011.

Ann Tucker, director of music, directs the cast and the chancel and carol choirs. Church organist Barbara Thorsen will accompany.

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

Visitors are welcome to any church activity. The church is handicapped accessible. For information, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit www.fcc-cl.org.