November 29 is the first Sunday in Advent. The day’s scripture is Mark 13:24-37; it is a doom-and-gloom passage that does not feel Christmasy or hopeful, yet there is hope in the midst of danger and chaos if we keep awake and watch for it.
Organist Yohei Endo and trombonist Felix Franken will play “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers wake),” one of J.S. Bach’s most beloved pieces of music, which is based on Mark 13:35-37.