Obama 2nd Term Begins With Parade, Parties and Prayer

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WASHINGTON – The nation celebrated the start of President Barack Obama's second term this week with a mix of fun and religious reverence.

Obama began Monday, Inauguration Day, at a worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were also there.

Several pastors and one Rabbi participated in the event.

"In Your name we bless our president and vice president and their families ... use this service to consecrate not only them but those they serve," prayed Pastor Joel Hunter at the beginning of the service, according to a pooled press report. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, a Church Distributed and a senior advisor for The Christian Post, is one of Obama's spiritual advisors.

The sermon was delivered by Andy Stanley, pastor at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga. "What do you do, when you're the most important person in the room? You are the decision maker?" Stanley asked.

He then told the story of when Jesus washed his disciple's feet. Obama should use his authority as president to benefit others, Stanley concluded.