St. John’s Lutheran Church will present its eighth annual Christmas cantata, “An Invitation to Christmas: O Come, All Ye Faithful,” in four performances this holiday season.
A cantata is a play with music that incorporates a narrator or narrators, other than characters.
This year’s cantata features an original script by local resident Gary Kopitzke, who has written a nostalgic piece anticipating the centennial celebration of St. John’s Lutheran Church and its landmark clock tower at the foot of Main Street in Gillett.
The building was completed in 1916, and the cantata begins with the journey on horseback of a supply pastor from Cecil during the Christmas season over 100 years ago. Kopitzke wove the history of St. John’s Lutheran into a reflective celebration of the church’s annual celebration of the Christmas season.
Songs include “O Holy Night,” “Mary, Did You Know?,” Silent Night” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”
Doug Yahnke will narrate this year’s cantata, and Rachel Block and Wayne Strei share the director’s duties. Austin and Dan Wright are handling technical production.
Performers are Gary Anderson, Rachel Block, Sue Collins, Lauri Cornelius, Brenda Danielson, Karen Eiseth, Jason Fenendael, Jenny Fenendael, Kathy Jones, Darlene Kapelke, Patti Konkle, Angel La Crosse, Bobbi Olshesky, Joe Quade, Mel Raatz, Sharon Raatz, Kerri Reichwald, Mel Reichwald, Ruth Schutz, Belva Smith, Nancy Stark, Wayne Strei, Chique Tousey-Tabor, Cathy Wocking and Doug Yahnke.
Performances are scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.; 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 — all at the church, 101 W. Main St., Gillett.
A dessert reception in the fellowship hall will follow some of the performances.
There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be accepted.
Categories
