ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) β President Barack Obama and his family have attended an Easter service at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, whose history dates back almost 200 years to when Thomas Jefferson was in the White House.
Obama along with wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia were welcomed to the historic church by the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley.
In his sermon, Wesley said the question is, “Where do you stand in the resurrection of Christ? You either believe it or reject it.”
The choir sang a stirring rendition of the hymn “He Lives,” prompting most of the church, filled to capacity, to clap, sing and sway while ushers collected the offering.
Churchgoers traditionally walk around to shake hands and give hugs during the greetings and announcements portion of service, but the pastor encouraged the crowd to stay in their seats and greet only their closest neighbors, as the sanctuary was tightly secured with Secret Service agents.
