Everything can change. Amazing grace, amazing grace

President Barack Obama spoke of grace Friday in Charleston, a city hurting after a mass murder at a historic African-American church.

Obama tried to soothe the city, the state and nation, speaking in a college arena just around the corner from where Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight of his parishioners were gunned down during a Bible study last week.

The president spoke of the grace of Pinckney, a 41-year-old state senator who was called to the pulpit while in middle school.

He also spoke of the grace of the victims’ families, some of whom have said they forgive the accused shooter.

"If we can find that grace, anything is possible," Obama said, his voice rising during his eulogy of Pinckney. "If we can tap that grace, everything can change."

Then, he quietly repeated, "Amazing grace. Amazing grace."

The president took a long pause and bowed his head. With his head lowered, he started to sing: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound …"

The 5,960 mourners joined the president: "that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see."

Once the hymn ended, Obama named the nine victims, one by one, adding, “May grace now lead them home.”

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 8:23 PM with the headline "Everything can change. Amazing grace, amazing grace."