We are our Sister and Brothers' Keeper

The Vaccine is Safe & Saves Lives 

To The Morning Star Baptist Church Family and Friends:

Since my last letter, a lot has transpired for me personally and for us as a community. Personally, my eldest son passed away on July 19, 2021, due to complications following a complex surgery. Collectively as a community, we have seen a tremendous upsurge in COVID-19, unlike anything we have experienced thus far.
 
For the past several days, Mississippi has recorded more than 3,000 new cases of COVID-19. Deaths, in general, are on the rise, and just minutes before sitting to compose this letter, I was informed that a beautiful soul I hired while at my last place of employment, having been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days ago, was found dead this morning. The world has truly lost an angel.
 
But just as sad as her death is, the fact that she was not vaccinated makes this tragic life moment even more heartbreaking. The vaccine could have prevented this unnecessary and untimely death of our dear friend.  
 
So many people are refusing the COVID-19 vaccine for various reasons. Some people do not trust the government, and some believe that the vaccine was developed too fast. Since the FDA has only granted “emergency use authorization” of the vaccine, some say that it is not safe. Regardless of the excuse, the truth is that people are dying unnecessarily.

DO NOT BECOME A NEGATIVE STATISTIC!
TAKE THE VACCINE! IT IS FREE! IT IS SAFE! IT SAVES LIVES!

The life you save may be your own. More importantly, the life you save may be the life of a loved one, 
child, parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or friend. We are indeed our sister and brothers’ keeper. Let
us demonstrate the same by getting vaccinated. If you have been vaccinated, take a few minutes each day
to call or talk with an unvaccinated person and share your experience with them and encourage them to
get vaccinated.
 
God bless you, and we love and appreciate you much. Stay safe and exercise reasonable precautions,
​i.e., wear your masks, wash your hands thoroughly, and often and remain socially distant from others.
 
Yours in the Bond of Love and Service,
​
John H. Whitfield, Pastor

STAY HOME SAVE LIVES 
REMAIN FAITHFUL NOT FOOLISH

 ​1. STAY home as much as you can.
 2. KEEP  a safe distance.
 3. WASH hands often.
 4. COVER your cough.
 5. SICK? Call ahead.

Pastor John H. Whitfield

Prayer for Peace

Lord God, Your Word says, “You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3).
​Because of that You know all my anxieties of the unknown, how my body will react to this vaccine, my fear of side effects, and my fear of still contracting something even if I do what I feel I need to in order to not get this virus or pass it on to others. Please give me comfort, calm my concerns, and help me to be assured that You will honor the intentions of my heart.

​​Morning Star Baptist Church
2050 Thornton Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

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