Sardis Baptist Church enjoyed a wonderful day Sunday. The singing of hymns was directed by Joyce Fry with Pam Hall at the piano. The morning message by Rev. Jim Newsome was “The Wilderness” from Matthew. Pastor Newsome gave the children their sermon at the altar and afterwards Denise Armour held children’s church in the annex. We were glad to have the visitors and they’re always welcome. Another good service was held Sunday evening with Pastor Newsome leading a study from the book of Corinthians. Prayer meeting is held at the Echols Home very Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ƒA gigantic churchwide yard sale with many families participating will be held Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at the Rayle City Hall. All funds will go to the Relay for Life for cancer. ƒFootprints and stars are being donated for cancer victims for a $1.00 donation. We are lining the walls of the annex at Sardis with these and what a wonderful way to honor or memorialize your loved ones. ƒPrayers continue for Nina Boatwright, Marty Echols, Betty Berry, Kelly Armour, Tim Echols, Wiley Crittenden, Betty Hight, Geneva Cowart, Ridge Moore, Ann Gunter, Tommy Bowen, Catherine Callaway, Nancy Moon, Frances Vinson, Jenelle Newsome, Grady Rogers, Travis Adams, George Wideman, Douglas Burkett, Edythe Harper, Thelma Favor, Dorothy Callaway, Eric Arnold, Brooke Bentley Pearson, Calli Nickels, Jimmy Fisher, Freddy Brown, Eddie Boswell, Luanne Brown, Jimmy Compton, Liz Bolton, Patsy Epps, Marion and Millie Mansfield, Morrison and Priscilla Maxwell, and Maude Mauldin. ƒOur sympathy and love go out to the families of Bobby Noggles, Billy Gilland, Lucy Harden Adams, Author Lee Watson, Tom Danner, Hugh Warren Dyches, Ida Evans Stephens Williams, Margie Edwards McNair, Addison Hallford, Grace Aycock, Lizzie M. Wilborn, and May Louise Carrotti. ƒMrs. Sara Gresham of the Echols Home attended a wonderful birthday celebration at the First Baptist Church in Washington Saturday in honor of Mrs. Mabel Johnson. Miss Sara's son, Johnny Gresham, and his wife, Linda, who is Miss Mabel's daughter, accompanied her. Priscilla Maxwell, Mary Jane and Tyler, attended this happy occasion and it turned out to be a family reunion as relatives came from far and near to celebrate with Miss Mabel. She sang a solo and other members of this musical family sang and played the piano. Many amazing and funny stories of days gone by were told by several. Miss Mabel is 95 years of age and still enjoys life to

the fullest.

df_ƒMany in the community are sick with the old virus and various other illnesses and we pray that they will soon be well. Nina Boatwright has pneumonia; Peggy Echols and Martha Hall are under the weather. Betty Berry got a pacemaker in Athens Monday; Marty Echols is going through tests; and Tim Echols is home from the hospital and doing better. We hope all are feeling better. ƒSudie Kennedy and Jo Ann Echols have visited Peggy Echols. Get well wishes go out to Peggy. ƒTommy and Fran Thaxton treated Lee and Beth Thaxton out at the Gumlog Steak and Fish Restaurant in Lavonia Friday evening in celebration of their birthdays which are both in February. ƒRonnie, Racquel, and Shirley Chafin went to the Outback Steak House in Athens Thursday to celebrate Racquel's birthday. ƒ Bonnie Boatwright joined Helen Smith and Gertrude Jones in Crawford for a trip to Decatur Wednesday. They stopped for breakfast on the way up there and on the way back stopped in Winder at the Golden Corral for lunch. ƒLouise Smith and Lucile Edmonds of Anderson, S.C., came Thursday to spend the weekend with their sister, Doris Walker. They enjoyed riding over to Greensboro and through the Reynolds Plantation where they rambled through shops. ƒVisiting Mrs. Ruby Arnold for a few days last week were Faye Johnson of Gray and Mary Grace Owen of North Carolina. They were here especially to be with the family of Bobby Noggles who passed away last week. Bobby was Miss Ruby's nephew and Sallie Mae Arnold's grandson. Sallie Mae recently lost a great-grandson, Mitch Taylor, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in December. Our prayers and sympathy go out to them. ƒGeorge and Mozelle Casey spent Sunday afternoon with Frances Fendley. ƒGuests of Buck and Linda Echols Sunday were Scott Smith, Abby and J.T., Richard and Lou Heard and Hank. ƒClyde and Sandy Whittington visited Christine Wheatley Saturday. ƒBonnie Boatwright enjoyed Sunday dinner with Lamar and Kay Berry, Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn and Bryson. ƒBryce Frankel of Crawford spent Wednesday and Thursday nights with his grandparents, Clyde and Sandy Whittington. ƒ Bonnie Boatwright joined Helen Smith, Gertrude Jones, and Roz Echols of Crawford Friday for a trip to Thomson for lunch at Ivery's and then on to Augusta to Hamrick's. ƒJack and Rubye Armour had all their family spend the day Sunday. Joining them also were Beth Thaxton, Erin Thornton, and Taylor Echols. ƒShirley Chafin's guests Sunday were Mack Chafin, Ronnie and Racquel Chafin, Sheila Arnold, Mandy, Walker, Terri, Eric, Tangie, and Caleb. ƒVisiting Johnny and Kathryn Shedd Sunday were Ricky Shedd, Garrett Paul, and his friend, Melissa. ƒBonnie Boatwright visited Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn, Bryson and Kaidyn in Washington Saturday.