First lady wears Naeem Khan to National Prayer Service
President Barack H. Obama started his first day in his second term of office at the National Prayer Service held at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, which held a near-capacity crowd. He and first lady Michelle Obama were joined by dignitaries, guests, family, friends, members of Congress, and cabinet officials
President Barack H. Obama started his first day in his second term of office at the National Prayer Service held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. He and first lady Michelle Obama were joined by dignitaries, guests, family, friends, members of Congress, and cabinet officials.  Attending with the president and first lady were Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden.
This ceremony is held each year on the day after the inauguration. The experience was no less meaningful this year, despite it being the second such prayer service held for President Obama following his historic 2009 swearing-in ceremony.  Mrs. Obama was dressed in a stunning ivory-colored texture-patterned dress with a matching wool applique jacket custom designed for her by Naeem Khan. She also wore “J.Crew Valentina patent pumps in Apricot Mist,” according to the style blog, Mrs. O.
Her new bangs were complemented with a low gather of curls at her neckline. Gold earrings finished off the classic, elegant look.
The president was dressed in a dark suit, with a grey, patterned tie.
The service was presided over by the Reverend Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas, who gave an impassioned sermon based on the life of Moses. He talked about the sacrifices of leadership, and the need for leaders to see the correct vision for his people, lest they perish. He also addressed the partisan bickering in Washington, and asked the president and leaders to come together with one vision for the nation that they can all support and work towards to create a positive reality for America.
Rev. Hamilton spoke directly to President Obama at many points during the service saying at one juncture of the president’s oratory gifts, “You should have been a preacher,” to which the president and attendees erupted in laughter.
Mixed throughout the service where breathtaking renditions of moving hymns and the National Anthem. The president openly rocked, tapped his foot and bopped his head to the choir and soloist from the Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of the Gospel Choir, giving them a standing ovation at the end of their second song, “Even Me.”
The service ended with the United States Marine Band playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
This was a solemn and reflective beginning to the president’s second term, yet a wonderful style moment for the first lady. We are looking forward to many more classic, yet modern looks from first lady Michelle Obama during her second period in the role.
Sophia A. Nelson is a journalist, award-winning author and entrepreneur. Her book, Black Woman Redefined, has been discussed in various media outlets. Follow Sophia A. Nelson on Twitter at@SophiaRedefined.
