Raphael Warnock

Were you watching the Easter service from Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta?

Well it wasn't a "Fantasy" if you noticed a pop idol stand from the congregation and blow a kiss.

Five-time Grammy award winning artist Mariah Carey was in attendance Sunday with her children as the Atlanta congregation celebrated the Easter holiday.

The church is the home parish of Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and an iconic Black institution in Atlanta. The church was founded in 1886 and was the spiritual home of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his father. Warnock became the fifth senior pastor of the church at age 35, the youngest ever.

Mariah Carey gets shoutout during service

"Today in worship, and she came to worship, so y'all let her worship and praise God, it just so happens that the best selling female artist of all time, of all time, with more than 200 million albums sold to date, 19 Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, 18 of them penned by herself, more than any solo artist in history and inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, I could go on and on and on, her Christmas album is so bad folks listen to it at Easter time," Warnock said in remarks during the service, hinting at Carey's presence in the pews.

"And, her music director is Ebenezer's music director. In fact, I think he was our musical director before he was your music director," Warnock said. "So when you feel the Spirit, know where that's coming from. Welcome, Mariah Carey is in the house."

In a livestream of the service, the camera pans to Carey who points at her music director, then blows Warnock a kiss before standing.

"Good to see you in church," Warnock continues. "Welcome."

Warnock told the congregation Carey had said she was there to worship, and not to sing, and while everyone would have loved a performance, he asked everyone to allow her the space to pray.

Famous names pack the pews in Ebenezer

Carey was just one famous name in the crowd. Former mayor and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, attorney general candidate Tanya Miller and superior court candidate Nikia Smith Cellars were also in attendance.

Warnock also gave a shoutout to grammy-winner Jermaine Dupri, an Atlanta native. Dupri and Carey have shared a long professional career, and Dupri produced hits like "We Belong Together" and "Always Be My Baby."

Carey also shared her own Easter message on social media.

You can watch the entire Easter service on YouTube.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect Reporter on USA TODAY's Deep South Connect Team and covers Georgia's political landscape. Reach her on X at @IreneEWright or by email [email protected].