The fall festival at Sardis Baptist Church Saturday evening was enjoyed by approximately 40 folks. The young and old alike were there to enjoy the fun and frolic. A hotdog supper with all the trimmings, cookies, brownies, fruit pizza, and Coke were served to the crowd. The children's laughter and squeals rang throughout the annex where booths were set up for the children to try their skills at guessing how many candy corns were in a jar, go fishing, bowling, cupcake walk, bingo, nail hammering, dart throwing, and face painting. A booth where the children seemed to have the most fun of all was throwing whipped cream at the man in the booth. Shhh! Don't tell anybody but the man in the booth was the preacher, Rev. Jim Newsome. Peggie Walker brought several cakes for a senior cake walk. Most of the ones attending braved the cold wind, and went on the exciting and scary hayride down the Sardis Road. The star-filled sky and an almost full moon was a beautiful sight to behold. The truck pulling a long trailer with square bales of hay to sit on was driven by the capable hands of John Armour with his young son Mason assisting him. We were thankful for the hay provided by Jonnie Walker. ƒA wonderful Sunday morning at Sardis Baptist Church started with Sunday School at 10:00 then worship at 11:00. Worship service began with prayer and an impressive ceremony as Hunter Armour was baptized by Rev. Jim Newsome in the baptismal pool. Many of Hunter's relatives were in attendance for this special occasion. ƒA program for dedicating the beautifully decorated and wrapped shoeboxes for Samaritans Purse was impressive as the children excitedly brought the boxes from the foyer and placed them on a table at the front of the church. They were so proud about having a part in making other children have a good Christmas. Fourteen children participated in this and stood in a line across the front of the church as Courtney Gunter and Cody Boatwright told the history of Operation Christmas Child. Cody Boatwright reported that we went over the goal of 30 to have 38 shoeboxes. Monica Gunter praised these children for their response and for the church for making it possible for children to have Christmas through these shoeboxes every year. ƒThe congregational singing under the direction of Joyce Fry with Pam Hall as pianist was followed by praises, prayer requests, announcements and prayer. The children were given their special message and prayer at the altar by Rev. Jim Newsome. After this they departed to the annex for children's church with Courtney Gunter. A rewarding message on "We Are Family" from Ephesians 2:14-19 was given by Pastor Newsome in the sanctuary. Another wonderful service was held Sunday evening. Prayer meeting is every Wednesday at the Echols Home at 6:30 p.m. ƒChristmas play practice at Sardis Baptist Church will be at 5 p.m. Sunday with worship service changed from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. due to Daylight Saving Time. ƒPrayers continue for Manuel Wheatley, Jo Anne Slaton, Shane Echols, Lamar Berry, Denise Adams Blaschke, Nancy Gillifan Church, Brenda Baker, Ann Williamson, Ann Crittenden, Avola Callaway, Doris Walker, Dorothy Callaway, Sallie Mae Arnold, Helen Hall Price, Linda Stevens, Nancy Moon, Cindy McCarty, Priscilla Maxwell, and Gary Rogers. There are many others who need prayer and we pray for them in their needs too. We add Melanie Wells and David Hutchins to the prayer list. ƒAnn Williamson was hospitalized at Wills Memorial Hospital a few days last week. Please remember her in prayer. ƒOur heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Floyd Hall. He had many friends who will miss him greatly as well as his family. ƒ Helen Jones Smith of Crawford chauffeured Gertrude Jones, Dorothy Wallace, Joyce Silvey, and Bonnie Boatwright in her van in Ivery's in Thomson Wednesday for a wonderful lunch and reminiscing. Helen, Joyce, and Bonnie are classmates from the 1956 Class of Oglethorpe County High School. We were surprised to see another classmate, Bobby Caldwell of Tignall, in Ivery's with his mother. It was good to see Carolyn Smith and Inez Moore of Washington who were also enjoying the day together and having lunch at Ivery's. ƒHaving lunch Sunday with Tracy, Denise, and Justin Armour were Rev. Jim Newsome, Audra Chapman, and Manuel Wheatley. Manuel has been spending time with the Armours during his recent heart catheterization. ƒSaturday afternoon, Clyde and Sandy Whittington spent time in Crawford with Zachery, Kyle, and Bryce Frankel while Neil and Kim went out to eat and to get some shopping done. ƒJo Ann Perez, Richard Burkett, and Frances Fendley attended the football game Thursday in which Greg Glenn played and then they enjoyed eating at the Pizza Hut. ƒJo Ann Perez and Frances Fendley enjoyed gallavanting in Athens and eating at McDonald's last Monday. ƒAngie Williams of Lexington and Gail Stewart visited Johnny and Kathryn Shedd for a while Saturday night. ƒBonnie Boatwright enjoyed Sunday dinner with Lamar and Kay Berry, Trey Berry, and Kaitlyn and Bryson Porter.