Landover, Md. ? President Bush, criticized for decisions on affirmative action and conservative federal judgeships, said Monday “there’s still prejudice holding people back” from Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality.

The predominantly black congregation of First Baptist Church of Glenarden in suburban Washington welcomed Bush with a standing ovation as it celebrated in song and scripture the memory of King, who would have turned 74 last Wednesday.

“It is fitting that we honor this great American in a church because out of the church comes the notion (of) equality and justice. And even though progress has been made … even though progress has been made, there’s more to do,” Bush said.

Despite the warm welcome, some members of the congregation said they had trouble with Bush declaring last week his opposition to the University of Michigan’s affirmative action program.

“We need affirmative action,” said Pat Williams, 51, an 18-year employee of the General Services Administration. “I don’t want to try and read someone’s mind, but you can’t stop affirmative action and still honor Dr. King.”

Bush’s visit was part of a national celebration that included:

l Coretta Scott King, widow of the slain civil rights hero, urging world leaders to avoid war as Bush girds for a confrontation with Iraq. “We commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. as a great champion of peace who warned us that war was a poor chisel for carving out a peaceful tomorrow,” she said in Atlanta.

President Bush speaks during a tribute to the life and legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, Md. Bush was invited to the altar Monday by the Rev. John K. Jenkins Sr., right.

l Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., questioning Bush’s stance on affirmative action and the so-called “legacy” policies that give advantage to offspring of college alumni. Critics say Bush got into Yale University with the help of legacy credits, yet he opposes giving preference to minorities who seek college admission.

l Meals for more than 15,000 people at the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry dinner in Atlanta. Volunteer groups across the country recruited people to help their communities.

Introduced by the Rev. William Jones as a “very, very special guest,” Bush brought along his wife, Laura, and several top aides, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, to the Baptist church here.

Rice caused a stir Friday when she said race could be used as a factor in school admissions, going further to show her support for affirmative action than Bush was willing to tread. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he disagreed with the president’s opposition to the Michigan affirmative action program.

Powell and Rice are black.

Dexter Scott King, left, shakes hands with Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, right, as Coretta Scott King, center, looks on at the conclusion of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commem-orative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The Rev. King preached at Ebenezer in the 1960s.

Last month, Bush harshly criticized Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., for remarks that seemed to express nostalgia for the segregation era. Bush’s condemnation helped fuel criticism that forced Lott from his GOP leadership post.

With Lott out of power, Bush surprised many observers this month by renominating Charles Pickering of Mississippi, whose nomination to a Court of Appeals seat last year was blocked by Senate Democrats after civil rights groups questioned his race-relations record.

Bush, who received 9 percent of the black vote in 2000, stood before the congregation and made a pitch for his plans to make more federal money available to church groups and charities that do community service.

“This government of yours must welcome faith, not discriminate faith, as we deal with the future of this great country,” he said.