'You Shall Call
His Name Immanuel' 
performed at Dallas Central

DALLAS, Texas—Members of the Dallas Central church performed the play "You Shall Call His Name Immanuel" on Dec. 16.

The play depicted the joys and hardships of events leading up to the birth of Jesus, including the shock of first Mary (Misti Garretson) then Joseph (Joel Gehman) learning of Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit.

Another trial occurred when the couple journeyed to Bethlehem when Mary was about to give birth and were unable to find housing. Finally, a gruff innkeeper (Mike Read) reluctantly agreed to let them stay at his stable.

Meanwhile, one of the Three Kings (Brian Holsenbeck) made plans to follow the star to visit the baby Jesus while a family of shepherds (Bruce, Debbie, Matthew and Nathan Hard) were dumfounded to look up into the nighttime sky and witness a chorus of angels singing for joy at our Savior’s birth.

The final scene showed Mary and Joseph talking about their experiences leading up to the birth and commenting on how blessed they had been despite the trials. The couple then saw and heard the angelic choir while the kings and the shepherds all arrived to worship the baby King.

At the conclusion of the play Ms. Garretson, who acted and sang opera in college, sang "Oh, Holy Night." Other songs included a vocal solo, "Oh Come, Oh Come, Immanuel" by Wylie Bass, and the Hard family singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Margaret Smith, Dallas Central choir director, played piano accompaniment for the singers. Hannah Orsburn played flute interludes between scenes.

Frank Lewandowski wrote the play, which Mr. Gehman directed.

Cynthia Chizen led the worship team at the Dec. 16 service. Frank Lewandowski.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002