Obama Second Term Begins with Parade, Parties and Prayers

U.S. president Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle.

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,  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.

The audience laughed when Stanley remarked, "for those of you who don't read the Bible, you should read it, even if you don't believe it."

Prayer and worship did not end with the service at St. John's. The swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the capitol featured an invocation by Mylie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil-rights leader Medgar Evers, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and a benediction by the Rev. Luis Leon.

The swearing-in ceremony was followed by a parade that followed Obama's motorcade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

The day concluded with a set of large balls. About 40,000 people reportedly attended the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the Inaugural Ball.

In "Southern Comfort Zone," Paisley sang about some of the stereotypes of liberal Democrats.

"Not everybody drives a truck, not everybody drinks sweet tea
 Not everybody owns a gun, wears a ball cap boots and jeans
 Not everybody goes to church or watches every Nascar race
 Not everybody knows the words to 'Ring Of Fire' or 'Amazing Grace."

Inauguration Day also fell on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Paisley also sang, "Welcome to the Future," a song that denounces racism and mentions King in the lyrics.

The combination of reverence and celebration will continued through Tuesday.

The following excerpts from the inaugural address mention God as well as indicate the kinds of political initiatives that Obama will pursue during his second term in office.

Mentions of God

“What makes us exceptional, what makes us America is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today we continue a never ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they've never been self-executing. That while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by his people here on earth.”

“We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work, when the wages of honest labour will liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.”

“We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries. We must claim its promise. That's how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure, our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That's what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”

“My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction.”

President Obama expressed support for gay marriage during his speech.

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal, as well.”

The President also expressed support for immigration reform.

“Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity, until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.”