Cross walks set for Good Friday throughout area

Mar. 28—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — In observance of Good Friday, some area Christians will participate in cross walks that will be held throughout the region.

The East Hills cross walk will begin at noon at Beulah Community Church, 716 Bedford St., Johnstown.

"This shows people what it's like to bear your cross for Christ, and it gives us a demonstration of what he went through and what it would have been like to carry that cross," said the Rev. Brian Grumbling, pastor of Beulah Community Church, who helps organize the walk.

"I hope they experience the love that Jesus has for us. What he did, he did for us, to save us."

The walk will stop at seven locations that include Homestead Avenue United Methodist Church, Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren, Oakland Church, the parking lot at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church and the Bel-Air Plaza parking lot.

The procession will conclude at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1000 Scalp Ave., Richland Township.

Vans will be available to transport people who are unable to walk the route.

Forest Hills Ministerium will hold a cross walk beginning at 9 a.m. at Sidman Methodist Church, 1108 Mill Road. The walk will proceed into South Fork and make stops for Scripture readings. There will be a luncheon at 11 a.m., followed by a service from noon to 3 p.m. at South Fork First Evangelical Church, 500 Maple St.

"Jesus carried his cross down the Via Dolorosa up to Calvary, so this is symbolic in a sense that we're carrying our cross in the steps of Jesus," said the Rev. Randy Landman, pastor of South Fork First Evangelical Church. "It helps you to remember some of what Jesus went through. You can't imagine everything, but it gives you a mindset of what Jesus did that day."

Windber Ministerium will host a cross walk beginning at noon at Calvary Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave., Windber.

"We will walk through the community carrying the cross, and we'll make 14 stops around town," said the Rev. Mark Murchie, pastor of Scalp Level Covenant Brethren Church, an organizer of the walk.

Each stop will represent a different aspect of the community.

"Christ came to save us from our sins and give us peace with God. Right now in our world, people are searching for peace, and our peace is found in him," Murchie said. "We are reminded that Christ came to save us, to deliver us and give us peace in our hearts."

The procession will conclude at Windber Gazebo.

Ebensburg Methodist Church will host a cross walk beginning at 11 a.m. at Penn Eben Park. Various stops will be made to read the account of the crucifixion and reflect on what Jesus went through leading up to the day he was crucified.