OBAMA WALKS TO EASTER SERVICE AT NEARBY CHURCH

President
Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk from the White House with their
daughters Sasha Obama (2nd L) and Malia Obama (R) on their way to St. John’s
Episcopal Church for Easter services, Sunday

President Barack Obama attended Easter services at an Episcopal
church near the White House where past presidents frequently have worshipped.

The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and
Malia took the short walk across Lafayette Park to St. John’s Church Sunday
morning.

Obama was greeted by several parishioners with handshakes and
smiles as the church members were returning to their seats from Holy Communion,
which the first family also joined, reports The Associated Press.

The sermon by Rev. Dr. Luis Leon was based on the Gospel of John
and the Resurrection of Jesus. Leon said the message of Easter was about the
“proclamation of victory, the victory of powerful love over loveless
power.”

He said the “Easter vision” was the ability of the
congregation to recognize the presence of Christ in their life, which would
allow them to see the world in a new way without pain, loneliness, injustice,
war, hate and despair. Instead, with the new vision, he intoned, they can see
with love, hope and truth.

The Obamas have previously worshipped at St. John’s, including
Easter services in 2009 and 2012. They attended Easter service at Shiloh
Baptist Church in 2011.

A pew nine rows back from the altar at St. John’s carries a
small brass plaque designating it as “The President’s Pew.” Church
history claims that every president since James Madison has visited.