UDPATE January 21, 2009: Video and Text of Sermon Available Below
Barack Obama has selected Reverend Sharon Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service on January 21st, the day after his inauguration. Reverend Watkins will be the first woman to ever deliver the sermon at the ceremony.
The service is traditionally attended by the newly inaugurated President, Vice President, Congress and the justices of the Supreme Court. Reverend Watkins is the president of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which has about 690,000 members in the United States and Canada.
Her sermon will be about 10 to 15 minutes long and will be vetted by Obama’s staff.
Media reports have described the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as “liberal” and “inclusive.” Neither the church nor Reverend Watkins have taken a stance on same-sex marriage.
Full text of the sermon is available here.
Video of the sermon is available in two parts below:
Sharon Watkins Sermon - Part I
Sharon Watkins Sermon - Part II
Reverend Sharon E. Watkins holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from the Yale Divinity School, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Butler University.
Rev. Watkins currently is the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which has 690,000 members in the United States and Canada. She is serving a six-year term that ends in 2011.
Reverend Watkins is the former pastor of Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She also served as pastor of Boone Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Boone Grove, Ind., and Assistant Minister at Spring Glen Church (United Church of Christ) in Hamden, Conn. She has held administrative positions at Phillips University, and was adjunct professor at the Phillips Theological Seminary. She has also done missionary work in several parts of the world, and serves on the board of numerous international humanitarian organizations.
She is married to the Rev. Dr. Richard H. Lowery, and has two children.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Will the FIRST ever stop?
Every time Obama does something, it will be the first.
I would be happy if Obama would just say something that made sense (without the koolaid Edward). Now that would be a first.
This will a presidency of show and intentions. They count more then action and leadership to the left.
I am sure the MSM will remind us that Obama is the first black president…..blah blah. Not to mention that Michelle is the first black first lady. And hopes to be the first black former first lady to become the first black woman Senator from New York.
I wonder if Obama remembers as a child white churches burning and how sad it made him. Does Michelle throw ashtrays at the first black president who is the first sitting president to be a smoker since the first Catholic president, JFK puffed on them Salems.
Here is something that would have been a real first for Obama to do. This gala next week is costing us $10 million and another $40 million in private funds. Why did he not say no to all of that? He could have a simple swearing in, a little lunch and then to work. I mean he keeps telling us this is the worst crisis since the Great Depression. Don’t you think he should get to work on it at least by 1:30PM on the 20th.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
IF YOU WERE THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO ATTEND THE INAUGURAL AND SAY THE VOWS, WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT 10 MILLION DOLLARS AND SAY: LET’S SHAKE HANDS, EAT, AND GET TO WORK OR WOULD YOU WANT THE COUNTRY TO CELEBRATE THE WIN OF THE PERSON WHO WAS ELECTED BY THE MAJORITY OF YOUR COUNTRY?
200 MILLION PEOPLE DIVIDED INTO 10 MILLION DOLLARS SOUNDS LIKE A COST OF ONE NICKEL.
I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN SWING IT.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:40 am
The reason the first’s keep coming is because there is finally someone with a vision who is providing real leadership. I am afraid you may have to get use to the firsts, not because of color, but because of vision and brilliance. I will continue to delight in the fact that we have someone who can really provide what is needed: Hope and leadership
January 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am
He is clearly first in wasting money on boondoggle inauguration ceremonies. What an incredible waste of money. 1st in history for wasteful spending, yo Bama.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Well, he was first in spending in the Senate, even though he was only there for about 15 minutes. As a Junior Senator, his first year in the Senate, he was the #1 pork spender in the Senate. If that’s any indicator, then we are in for quite a ride.
Of course, that’s HIS spending. We are supposed to tighten our belts.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
[violates comment policy. first warning.]
January 21st, 2009 at 9:23 am
I would love love love to have a copy of her sermon. Please send me a copy thru my email! Rev. Watkins was right on . I LOVE THE WOLF STORY. THEN ADDRESSED THE PRESIDENT, THE STATEMENTS, OUR COUNTRY..WHICH WOLF ARE YOU GOING TO FEED .THE WOLF: LOVE AND PEACE OR THE WOLF :OF RESENTMENT, BITTERNESS,..WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT WE DO UNITE AS ONE!!THEY SANG THE MOST PERFECT SONG..GOD LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN, YELLOW, BLACK, WHITE, OR BROWN…..WE NEED TO REMEMBER GOD IS “THE FIRST”
January 21st, 2009 at 10:52 am
I hope that it is possible to send me a copy of the very insightful Rev Watkins’ sermon.
(e-mail)
It was so inspiring and I would love to share it with many.
January 21st, 2009 at 11:32 am
This was a blasphemous sermon to the ONE TRUE GOD…the God of the BIBLE, encompassing the TRINITY and salvation by Jesus Christ ALONE!! Obama is not our hope…the LORD IS!!! May God cause this nation to repent, for people are calling PEACE PEACE when there is NO PEACE!! First find peace with God…and not this OBAMANATION country!!
January 21st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Full text of the sermon and video is available now above.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Dr. Watkins was brillant today. I was absolutely mesmerized with her words and especially with her presentation. She will be remembered for years for her shared thoughts. I am certain that the new President will remember her forever. I will.