President Barack Obama, accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters, was seen to leave the White House on the morning of September 19 to attend worship services at St. John's Church at Lafayette Square nearby. The Episcopal parish is often referred to as the church of the presidents, since so many Chief Executives have indeed worshipped there. President Obama attended the 9 am Holy Eucharist service and sermon at the church.
The president held the hand of his daughter Sasha as they walked to the church. For security reasons, Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House were closed to the public for the occasion.
It is not known at this time what sermon President Obama would have heard by the Gospel reading for the Sunday service is Luke 16:1-13, which ends 'You cannot serve God and wealth.'
Much conjecture has arisen over the religious affiliation of the president. He is not known to worship frequently at any of the many churches in the District of Columbia even while he is a self-professed Christian. Polls taken of public opinion have found that a minority of Americans believe that President Obama is a Muslim, despite frequent clarifications from the White House.
Poster Comment:
The family sat a few rows from the altar, among roughly 40 worshippers. Each family member received communion, led by the president.
Nearly one in five Americans believe Obama is a Muslim, up from around one in 10 Americans who said he was Muslim last year, according to the survey, conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
