Zion UCC to host annual Christmas cantata
Zion United Church of Christ in Lehighton will host its annual ecumenical Christmas cantata, “Christ Was Born for This.”
The cantata, which tells the story of the birth of Christ through readings and song, will be held in Zion’s sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
This event is free to the public. A freewill offering will be received to be used by Zion UCC to continue many of the programs and services they provide.
As always, the cantata is accompanied by Zion’s Festival Orchestra, a 19-piece ensemble with members from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The cantata was written by the husband and wife team of Dennis and Nan Allen, and is a combination of contemporary and traditional Christmas music, as well as songs that were written and arranged specifically for the cantata.
Standout songs include “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”; Laura Story’s “Blessings”; “He Has Come for Us (God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen)”; and the new title song by Nan Allen and Tommy Walker. Also featured are such classics as “No More Night” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” as well as a congregational medley so that everyone can participate.
This year’s choir is composed of nearly 100 singers who represent at least 25 churches and groups in the Lehighton and surrounding communities.
Vocal soloists for the cantata are Amy Shelly who will be featured in “Blessings” and Brent Harris who has the solo in “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Narrators for the event are Kathy Long and Dan “Deacon” Evans. The anthem for the evening is “Hope is Born Again,” and it will feature Laura Cressley with a soprano solo. The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Bannerman of Zion UCC will preside over the service.
In addition to the cantata and the anthem, The Festival Orchestra will provide holiday music as preludes and postludes.
Selections will include “Christmas Rocks at the Pops,” “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” “A Canadian Brass Christmas,” “Rock the Bells” and Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival.”
Laura Cressley, who served as the rehearsal accompanist, will be featured on Zion’s grand pipe organ playing Christmas music and the hymns for the evening, as well as joining the orchestra for their selections.
The cantata and festival orchestra is under the direction of Bradly R. Cressley, director of Music at Zion UCC.
