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05/04/2015

It's Easter Sunday. David Grant is visiting a farm where religion and farming come together for the traditional 'blessing of the lambs' ceremony. Pam Rhodes joins an open-air baptism on the banks of the River Jordan in Dorset!

35 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Francis Harold Rowley

    I Will Sing The Wondrous Story

    Music Arranger: Paul Leddington Wright. Supporting Artist: David Thorne. Supporting Artist: Andy Crowley. Supporting Artist: Tony Cross. Supporting Artist: Colin Sheen. Supporting Artist: Richard Watkins. Supporting Artist: Owen Slade. Supporting Artist: Tristan Fry.

    Tune: Hyfrodol Music. Composer: R.H. Pritchard (Melody), R. Vaughan Williams (Harm).

  • Nicky Brown

    To God Be The Glory

    Supporting Artist: Mark Crawford. Supporting Artist: Jerry Logan. Supporting Artist: Clive McKinley. Supporting Artist: Michael Osbourne. Supporting Artist: Olrick Coker. Supporting Artist: Marcia Walder Thomas. Supporting Artist: Danielle Mahailet. Lyricist: Frances van Alstyne.

    Composer: W H Doane (1832-1916)

  • Lyra Davidica

    Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

    Music Arranger: Christopher Johns. Conductor: Christopher Johns. Supporting Artist: Simon Headley. Orchestra: Graff Orchestra of England.

    Composer: Adapted from a melody in Lyra Davidica, 1708

  • Frederick Edward Weatherly

    The Holy City

    Music Arranger: Julian Reynolds. Supporting Artist: Llinos Richards. Supporting Artist: Sarah Tuke. Supporting Artist: Josephine Galton. Supporting Artist: Cat Parker. Choir: Tor Hills. Choir: Annabel Williams. Choir: Sharlene Hector. Choir: Rich Austin. Choir: Michael Woodhams. Choir: Mark Harrison.

    Composer: Michael Maybrick writing under the alias Stephen Adams (1841-1913)

  • Ben Williams

    Down To The River To Pray (feat. Kristyna Myles)

    Supporting Artist: Joy Ononokpono.

    Tune: Traditional. Composer: Traditional.

  • Stuart Townend

    The Lord’s My Shepherd

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright. Supporting Artist: Daniel Moult.

    Composer: Stuart Townend (b 1963)

  • Edmond Budry

    Thine Be The Glory

    Music Arranger: Paul Leddington Wright. Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright.

    Tune: Maccabeus. Composer: G. F. Handel (1685-1759).

Music

  • I Will Sing The Wondrous Story performed by choir and congregation at St Mark’s Church, Maida Vale.
  • To God Be The Glory performed by choir and congregation at Ruach City Church, Brixton.
  • Jesus Christ Is Risen Today performed by choir, congregation and clergy at Leicester Cathedral.
  • The Holy City performed by Jonathan Antoine.
  • Down To The River To Pray performed by Kristyna Myles.
  • The Lord’s My Shepherd performed by choir and congregation at The Royal Garrison Church of All Saints, Aldershot
  • Thine Be The Glory performed by choir and congregation at St Mary’s Church, Portsea.

Stories

Easter Lambing
From the Lamb of God to the Good Shepherd, lambs have a religious significance in Christianity. On Coombe Farm and Church, the Passmore family hold an annual blessing of the lamb’s ceremony during the lambing season. David Grant joins them and Reverend Stephen Date for the blessing as well as witnessing ewes giving birth on the day. David also visits Coombe Church on the site, which was built around 1100. The frescos depicting Biblical images on its walls are as old as the church itself.

Peter Howson
Scottish artist Peter Howson’s work is renowned for its insight into the human condition. After a spell as the official British War Artist during the Bosnian war, he faced a battle of his own against depression, coming to a head in 2000. Peter describes his love of religious art and talks about how important his faith is to him.

River Baptism
The River Jordan is one of the most sacred passages of water in the world. According to the Bible, Joshua led the Hebrew people across the river into the Promised Land and it is where Jesus himself was baptised by John the Baptist. Pam Rhodes attends a special baptism service held in the River Jordan…in Dorset! This ancient little stream flows into a Duck Pond in the village of Sutton Poyntz. The local vicar, Rev. Tim West, thought it was too good an opportunity to miss and now holds regular baptisms in the gently flowing shallows. Pam shares in one such service – for baby Lincoln and his family. We also meet Professor Morwenna Ludlow, expert in early church history from nearby Exeter University to explore the meaning of baptism and its connection to Easter.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter David Grant
Presenter Pam Rhodes
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Executive Producer Dave Stanford

Broadcast