TO OUR GUESTS, we extend a warm welcome. We invite you to participate in signing our Friendship Folder, adding your address and phone number if you'd like to receive our church newsletter or a pastoral call. When we pray the Lord's Prayer at Bethel, we say "sins...sin against us" rather than "debts..." or "trespasses..."; during "a time for sharing" we welcome prayer requests from the congregation. On first Sundays each month, all who put their trust in Christ and who have received baptism in any Christian church are invited to share his sacred meal. We are glad you are with us. Please come again.

---

THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Third Sunday in Lent
March 14, 2004

GREETING, WORDS OF WELCOME, RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

CALL TO WORSHIP   Rom. 14:8, Ps. 46:1 2, Cor. 1:3-4

If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord;
so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our sorrows,
so that we can comfort others in their sorrow,
with the consolation we have received from God.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

*A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION

*UNISON CONFESSION OF SIN –

Holy God, you see us as we are, and know our inmost thoughts. We confess that we are unworthy of your gracious care. We forget that all life comes from you and that to you all life returns. We have not always sought or done your will. We have not lived as your grateful children, nor loved as Christ loved us. Apart from you, we are nothing. Only your grace can sustain us. Lord, in your mercy, forgive us, heal us and make us whole. Set us free from our sin, and restore to us the joy of your salvation now and forever. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON – 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24

Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE   Gloria Patri   Hymn # 579

OLD TESTAMENT READING   Psalm 63:1-8

ANTHEM   Be Still My Soul   Shepperd

NEW TESTAMENT READING   1 Corinthians 10:1-13

SERMON    The Good Death: Dying Well
The Reverend Marc Sherrod

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Rom. 8:1, 28, 38, 39

We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND A TIME FOR SHARING

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

DEDICATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*POSTLUDE    My Peace I Leave with You   Smith

*All who are able may stand.

This worship service is broadcast on WKTS 90.1 FM at 12:30 p.m. today.

THE YOUTH MEETING next Sunday evening at 6:00 will be a presentation/discussion led by Mark Banker on The Ghost Ranch/Mission Trip opportunity this summer. Adults interested should also come. Deadline for signing up has been extended to April 1. Information is on table in narthex.

COPIES OF THE ESSAY, “The Christian Funeral in American Context” are on the table in the narthex. This essay will be helpful reading for next week’s sermon, “Good Funeral: The Redeemed Body.”

ROANE CHORAL SOCIETY will present "A Celebration of the Arts!" on Sunday, March 28, 3:00 p.m. at the Roane State Community College Theatre, Harriman Campus. Tickets are $7 General Admission, $5 Students/Seniors.

JOHN KNOX CENTER MEN'S CONFERENCE – March 26-28, 2004. Join us for the second annual Men's Conference at the John Knox Center March 26-28, 2004. Be prepared to have your life recharged as Keynote Speaker Rev. Bill Lankton presents “Come for Fellowship, Stay for Faith.” See information on bulletin board.

BETHEL RECORDS -

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Deb Hyder, Rev. David Craig, Justin Trivette, Christine Woods, Al & Dot Davis, Ella Winsbro, Charles Pickel, Ruth Moutoux, Florence Simmons, Susan Todd, Presbyterian Churches & Pastors -Maryville Houston Memorial (J. Barron Hopper) & Knoxville Kirk Hills (Robert K. Davis)

---

THIS WEEK

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: BODY RECALL – 9-10 AM

TODAY –	YOUTH MINISTRY INITIATIVE (AFTER WORSHIP) REA EVENING CIRCLE LENTEN STUDIES – 6:00 PM
TUE –	PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE – 7:00 PM
WED –	LENTEN STUDY IN FELLOWSHIP HALL – 10:00 AM HANDBELLS – 5:30 PM PROPERTY & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – 5:00 PM FELLOWSHIP SUPPER – 6:30 PM CHOIR – 7:30 PM
THU –	TAI CHI CLASS