Sardis Baptist Church had a wonderful service Sunday morning. At the beginning of the service, "The Candle of Hope" was lighted by Michelle Mike and children, Jordan and Aseriah. The singing of hymns was led by Joyce Fry with Pam Hall at the piano. Rev. Jim Newsome's inspiring sermon was "A Christmas Gift." The children had their message by Pastor Newsome at the altar and then went to the annex for children's church with Monica Gunter. The Lord's Supper was observed. At the end of the service as the congregation sang "The Savior Is Waiting," Aseriah Jenkins went up and joined the church. Everyone greeted them and gave their blessings and love for Aseriah as she stood at the front with her mother, Michelle Mike, and her brother, Jordan. Michelle and Aseriah will be baptized next Sunday morning at the beginning of the worship hour. Another good service was held Sunday evening. .We are always glad to have visitors at Sardis and Sunday morning we had several. Preston and Joyce Fry had their grandson, Jake, with them; Dave and Mindy Peek were present with Jim and Karan Newsome; and little Levi Gabriel Boatwright was present for the very first time with his parents, Mike and Tina Boatwright, and brother Cody. Levi is six weeks old. .Christmas play practice continues every Sunday evening at 5 p.m. Prayer meeting is held every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Echols Home. .Guests of Ann Williamson over the Thanksgiving holidays were Mike and Lisa Close, Nicole Close, Chris and Jennifer Williamson and Madisyn, all from Maryland, who spent a few days. Thanksgiving Day all the family gathered at the home of Lyn and Nancy Williamson for a wonderful day of reminiscing and a bountiful meal. Joining Preston, Brett and Christine, Alfonsin and Kyle, Maverick Moore and friend; Amanda Williamson and fiance, Jonathon; Josh Williamson, Brooke, Beth and three children; David and Dawn Williamson, and David Jr. and Debra. . Rachel Gamble of Augusta and Statesboro spent Thanksgiving Day with J.W. and Bonnie Boatwright. They enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal for lunch at Ryan's in Thomson. That evening they enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal with Lamar and Kay Berry. Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn, Bryson, and Daidyn of Wahsington, and Trey Berry joined them. .Thanksgiving Day, Boyce and Pam Hall had a family meal at their home. Martha Hall, Norris and Frances Ware, Dean and Christi Ware and family, Todd Ware and family, Avery Hall, Lindley Hall, and Josh Callaway celebrated with them. .Joining Tracy and Denise Armour, Ethan and Jackson, for Thanksgiving dinner on Friday were Jack and Rubye Armour, Lyn and Debra Armour, Casey Davis, Mitch Davis and his friend, Heather Thaxton, John and Jennifer Armour, Macon and Madison; Barry and Beth Armour, Bettina and Dylan; Greg and Angela Armour, Cody and Hunter; Will and Samantha Callaway; Justin and Audra Armour; and Taylor Echols. .Jim and Karan Newsome celebrated Thanksgiving Saturday with their children: Jamie, Charlene, and Anna Newsome of Martinez; and Dave and Mindy Peek of Cartersville. They all visited their mother and grandmother, Jenelle Newsome at Heritage Health Care in Washington. Dave and Mindy spent Saturday night and attended church at Sardis. After lunch, Jim and Karan, Dave and Mindy, visited Jenelle again and and decorated a Christmas tree for her room. .Enjoying Thanksgiving lunch with Tracy and Denise Armour on Saturday were Rusty Callaway, Cheryl Broome, Randy and Marion Callaway, Dwyane and Debbie Callaway, and Greyson, Marion Poss, Manuel Wheatley, Talitha Hopkins, Jim and Elaine Wheatley, Danny and Traci Bussey and Ashleigh, Scott and Angie Wheatley and Luke, Johnathon and April Wheatley, Justin and Audra Armour, and Ethan and Jackson Armour. .Marshall and Mablean Sherrer, Jennifer Shelton, Mary Howard, Sherrer, Adam and Brittany enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Brent and Deanna Sherrer. .Nina Boatwright and Randy Boatwright enjoyed Thanksgiving Day in Lincolnton with Ed and Velma Crook. Mike and Tina Boatwright, Cody and Levi visited them in the afternoon. Mike, Tina, Cody, and Levi went to Tignall that evening for Thanksgiving supper with David and Diane Bufford and family. .Betty Berry's house was bursting at the seams as all her family came for Thanksgiving Day. Joining Betty were Donnie and Kris Berry, Jessica Berry, Joey and Abbi Truitt, Lindsey and Kylie, Tom and Sandra Parker, Lee and Shelley Parker and Bradley, Joshua and Samantha Parker and Hallie. .Thanksgiving Day guests of Buck and Linda Echols were Greg and Angela Armour, Cody and Hunter, Will and Samantha Callaway, Scott and Sissy Smith, Abby and J.T., Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank, Robert Bennett, Mark and Bes Moore, Sam and Dawn Moore. .Ruby Arnold, Kim Berry, Aliyah and Aniyah, Dorothy Callaway, Ruby Booth, and Kristy Booth spent Thanksgiving Day with Robert and Crystal Bryon in Commerce. Aliyah spent from Wednesday through Friday. She celebrated her 14th birthday Saturday, November 28. . Bonnie Boatwright joined Helen Smith, Gertrude Jones, and Joyce Silvey of Crawford Friday for a trip to Hamricks in North Augusta. They stopped at McDonald's in Washington for breakfast. That afternoon they stopped back by Ryan's in Thomson for a midafternoon meal. .Thanksgiving Day guests of Billy and Doris Walker were Mike and Debra Sherrer, Reece and Whitney Taylor, Lindsey Sherrer and her friend Drew, Sidney and Cheryl Walker and Taylor, Cliff and Janet Lewis, Ashton and Hey- den, David and Judy Lewis of Athens and Beechie Sherrer. .Sudie Kennedy spent a few days in Bluffton, S.C., for Thanksgiving with her grandson, Bill Kennedy, and his family. I am glad Sudie is feeling better after a recent stay in Wills Memorial Hospital. .Wednesday morning, James and Kathleen Canup of Lexington came and treated Bonnie Boatwright out for breakfast at Padgett's Country Kitchen. .Sunday of last week, Bill and Hope Remsen and Delaney of Evans spent the day with Peggy Echols and Johnny Adams. Hope and Delaney remained on until Tuesday. .On Thanksgiving Day, Peggy Echols had as guests for dinner, Sybil Hayes, Tim and Allison Hayes, and Harley Grace, Clay and Vicki Stevens, Zach Stevens, Kayla Stevens, and friend Josh; Kitty Stevens, Ann Graham, Crystal, Courtney and Kaylyn; Ryan Brown and two boys. .Clyde and Sandy Whittington had supper Friday with Neil and Kim Frankel, Zachery, Kyle and Bryce. Bryce spent Sunday night with Clyde and Sandy. .Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sisson Jr. arrived November 20 for a visit with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Bunn in Monroe, and Mildred Sisson. Having supper with Mildred Sisson on Thanksgiving Day were Mr. ad Mrs. Tommy Wheatley, Chris McAvoy, Mr. and Mrs. Richard McAvoy, Amy McAvoy, Taylor McAvoy, and Charlie Houpt. Vickie returned with Carl Friday after they enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the Bunn family in Monroe. Saturday afternoon visitors of the Sissons were Mrs. Gene Winfrey, Alana Kemp, Trey Kemp. Joining them that evening for supper were the Wheatleys, the McAvoys, and Amy's friend, Kathleen Storrin. Carl and Vickie returned to Madison, Alabama, November 29. .J.W. and Bonnie Boatwright enjoyed lunch Wednesday at Padgett's Country Kitchen in Washington. .Prayers continue for Troy Chafin, Jimmy Fisher, Maude Mauldin, Edith Harper, Travis Adams, Jenelle Newsome, Grady Rogers, Brenda Bunch, Calli Nickels, Jimmy Compton, Luanne Brown, Thelma Favor, Brooke Bentley Pearson, Eric Arnold, Bill Bennett, and Curtis Tanner. .The Lunch and Learn Club will meet at City Hall December 16 at 10 a.m. for a short meeting and afterwards will go to Padgett's Country Kitchen in Washington for their Christmas social and lunch. .Many in the community are sick with colds and flu. Troy Chafin is in the VA Hospital in Augusta. Jimmy Fisher is back in the hospital for the second time after having open heart surgery several weeks ago; and Maude Mauldin has been in the hospital after she fell at her home. Our prayers are that they will soon be well and able to come home.