Instead of carrying a wooden cross, people who participated in the Way of the Cross service at noon Friday had to rely on their imaginations to carry them through the service.

Because of a threat of severe storms and rain, organizers decided to move the service to the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church. About 50 people attended.

"The movement of our voices will take the place of our movement downtown," said the Rev. Bob Towner of Christ Episcopal Church.

Originally, the service was to begin at Riverfront Park and wind through 14 stops downtown, including a school, police and fire stations, a counseling center and the Common Pleas courthouse before ending at the River Campus.

It was the second year for the service, which was sponsored by the Downtown Council of Churches.

Towner said that while he'd rather have been outdoors for the service, it turned out to be a moving experience anyway. Pastors and participants read Scripture and offered prayers at each of the "stations" or stops.

Good Friday marks the way for Easter Sunday, when Christians rejoice in the resurrection. A community sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. at Riverfront Park. In case of rain, the service will be at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Speaking from their places among the pews, the participants read about the trial where Jesus Christ was judged by Pilate, how he carried his cross, was crucified, died and then buried.

Towner served as a narrator of sorts, telling the audience about each station's significance. During some of the readings and prayers, people spoke the names of the ill or those who are suffering.

The Rev. Mike Woelk, pastor of Livingway Foursquare Church, said that he had thought about all the comments that were made by onlookers at the foot of the cross.

"There were cries and prayers and gracious words," he said.

As the worshippers moved through the stations, they prayed for doctors, nurses and hospital workers, Afghan refugees and refugees around the world, the city of Jerusalem, the unemployed, people who have been abused, even by clergy, parents, children, mentors and neighbors.

On Good Friday, people are reminded of how Christ "sees past all of our failings," said Sherri Mehner.

"We want to be the people we are called to be -- your hands, feet, eyes and we could be your words, Jesus," she said during a prayer.

The Rev. Mike Shupert lead the group in the spiritual "Were You There?" and ended the 75-minute service with the chorus, "Lord I Lift Your Name on High."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126