100 Main Street
Stanhope
NJ
On Good Friday, a procession will be walking from Stanhope through Netcong. At the head of the procession, people will be carrying a cross. A tradition for over two decades, the Cross Walk remembers Jesus Christ’s betrayal, sentencing, and death on the cross by telling parts of the story at each of the five places during its journey. All are welcome to join the walk, walking all or a part of it. The walk takes about an hour and starts at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 100 Main Street, Stanhope. There are several stops along the way where scripture will be read, hymns sung, and prayers offered. Volunteers will be asked to carry a large cross between stops.
First Stop Location: First Presbyterian Church, 100 Main Street, Stanhope. A bagpiper will be playing as people move on from the first stop.
Second Stop Location: Near the Bell’s Mansion driveway entrance, Port Morris United Methodist Church will continue reading about the events Jesus faced.
Third Stop Location: Stanhope United Methodist Church, 2 Rt. 183, Netcong, watch the cross slowly come down the aisle to a resting place in front of the darkened altar, you can feel the passion, the heaviness of the day.
Fourth Stop Location: Netcong Train Station on Main Street, participants hear the story of Jesus’ last day on Earth.
Fifth Stop Location: St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 4 Church Street, Netcong, for scripture, hymns, and a final prayer.
The Good Friday Cross Walk shows how our community churches come together in an expression of both diversity and unity. Jesus walked to Jerusalem and then to the cross for all humanity, not for any particular church or institution or individual or national group. This Good Friday walk is a reminder that we all share in a single bond of humanity and recognize that it is difficult to endure injustice for a higher good, but with divine grace and the support of one another, we can learn it and keep trying. We are willing to take up our crosses, for the good of our soul and the souls of our brothers and sisters.
