Obama family attends Easter services

The Obama family received a warm welcome from the pastor and worshippers at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, where they traveled for Easter services on Sunday.

The president's arrival, along with his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia, prompted several minutes of disruption as parishioners rushed to greet them and snap photos on their phones and iPads. The president and Michelle Obama greeted as many people as they could, according to the pool report from the event, including a high five for a baby boy.

Pastor Derrick Harkins asked for "every measure of encouragement" and "wisdom" for the president, and asked that God "tend to his spirit." The audience responded with a loud "yes" response after each sentence, and at one point an older man stood up and yelled, "God bless President Obama," to applause.

During the Easter sermon, Harkins talked about the need to support people "living in the shadows and the margins," including lesbian, bay, bisexual and transgender people.

The president devoted his weekly address to Passover and Easter this week, saying, "We recall all that Jesus endured for us - the scorn of the crowds, the agony of the cross - all so that we might be forgiven our sins and granted everlasting life. And we recommit ourselves to following his example, to love and serve one another, particularly 'the least of these' among us, just as he loves every one of us."

The president and his family have also worshipped at Washington National Cathedral, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Zion Baptist Church, St. John's Episcopal Church, and Evergreen Chapel at Camp David in the past. They held a Passover Seder at the White House earlier this week.