
Sean Fletcher travels to Chester to explore the deep meaning of the Sabbath and why the ancient teachings on the importance of rest are still so relevant today. \n\nIn Chester, Sean meets Pastor Ian Sweeney of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a denomination of Christians who celebrate the Sabbath on a Saturday. He discusses their initiative called Sabbath Sofa, where members of the public have been invited to take a rest on their mobile settee and think about what the day of rest means to them. Sean discovers the evolution of the Sabbath, how it has changed over the centuries, and how Ian thinks the Sabbath should be spent. \n\nIn Worcestershire, we meet Rachel Brean, a Christian who lives with chronic fatigue syndrome. She explains how she has faced the condition and is striving to inspire others to reduce the pace of life in this frantic modern world. She reflects on how slowing down has helped her to heal and reconnect with her faith.\n\nSean also visits a car dealership in Chester, where owner Mark Mitchell puts his faith into action by insisting that the business closes on a Sunday – despite the risk of reducing profit – so that his team can rest and spend time at home with family and friends.\n\nAnd there are hymns to enjoy on the Sabbath and to keep you singing throughout the week! \n\n1. O Jesus, I Have Promised - Chester Cathedral \n2. He Has Made Me Glad - Reading Town Hall \n3. Amazing Grace – The Priory, Birkenhead \n4. Be Still and Know That I Am God - St Martin-in-the-Fields, London \n5. Everlasting Arms - Eastbourne Bandstand \n6. Lord, Thy Church on Earth Is Seeking - Chester Cathedral
Source: BBC 1
The Parables Of Jesus: The Good Samaritan
In the first of two programmes on the parables of Jesus, Sean Fletcher meets Christians inspired by one of the most famous of Jesus’ stories – the Good Samaritan. \n ...
25-01-2026
BBC 1
Faith In The Workplace
Laura Wright is in Cambridge to explore faith outside the pulpit and the pew and meets Christians living out their faith in offices, laboratories and police stations. \n\nAs she ...
18-01-2026
BBC 1
Union Chapel
Claire McCollum is in north London visiting Union Chapel, both a world-renowned music venue and a diverse worshipping community putting faith into action. \n\nClaire meets minis ...
11-01-2026
BBC 1
My Bible
Sean Fletcher welcomes in the new year, meeting people in Glasgow for whom a particular copy of the Bible has been life-changing. \n\nSean meets Margaret Borland, who relays the ...
04-01-2026
BBC 1
Carols For Christmastide
In a programme packed with music, Pam Rhodes visits Launde Abbey in Leicestershire to mark the fourth day of Christmas. She shares joyful hymns and carols reflecting on the birt ...
28-12-2025
BBC 1
A Christmas Celebration From The Victoria Hall, Bolton
Aled Jones is joined by special guests and a congregation of 800 voices at the Victoria Hall, Bolton, for a spectacular musical celebration of traditional carols and festive fav ...
21-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Joy
In this third episode marking the traditional themes of Advent, Laura Wright visits Bedford to celebrate joy. She asks what it means to Christians and finds out how we can all s ...
14-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Peace
On the second Sunday of Advent, Claire McCollom continues a series unpacking the themes of the season. On a visit to Coventry Cathedral, she explores peace – from its rich ...
07-12-2025
BBC 1
Advent Hope
On Advent Sunday, Sean Fletcher begins a series of programmes exploring some of the themes of the Advent season, beginning with stories and hymns celebrating hope. \n\nSean mee ...
30-11-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
My Bible
Sean Fletcher welcomes in the new year, meeting people in Glasgow for whom a particular copy of the Bible has been life-changing. \n\nSean meets Margaret Borland, who relays the ...
04-01-2026
BBC 1
Celebrating 60 Years
Marking the year Songs of Praise turns 60, Aled Jones celebrates at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with Christian stories that exemplify the spirit of the series. Aled and ...
24-01-2021
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Final
Aled Jones and the Rev Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Three junior choristers aged 11 to 13 and ...
12-10-2025
BBC 1
Big Sing: The Uk's Top Ten Hymns
The results of a nationwide vote are sung by five thousand people in the Royal Albert Hall in this Big Sing special, with guests including Russell Watson.
06-07-2014
BBC 1
St George’s Day
To celebrate St George's Day, Laura Wright heads to the capital to join families uncovering the legendary story of England's patron saint on a dragon-finding walking tour.\n\nLa ...
23-04-2023
BBC 1
Celebrating Gospel Music Today
Renowned choir director Mark De-Lisser celebrates gospel, his favourite genre of music, by meeting Christians at the heart of the gospel community and exploring the message behi ...
13-10-2024
BBC 1
Carols For Christmastide
In a programme packed with music, Pam Rhodes visits Launde Abbey in Leicestershire to mark the fourth day of Christmas. She shares joyful hymns and carols reflecting on the birt ...
28-12-2025
BBC 1
Gospel Choir Of The Year Part 1
David Grant hosts the competition to find the Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year 2017. Five leading amateur choirs take to the stage of Central Hall Westminster in London ...
26-11-2017
BBC 1
Faith In The Workplace
Laura Wright is in Cambridge to explore faith outside the pulpit and the pew and meets Christians living out their faith in offices, laboratories and police stations. \n\nAs she ...
18-01-2026
BBC 1