A PC(USA) church serving Jesus Christ & our neighbors in Portsmouth, OH since 1875
WORSHIP
Worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
- in the building,
- by listening to the service on WIOI (106.7FM 1010AM),
- or by watching the live stream on our YouTube channel (search for Second Presbyterian Church Portsmouth, OH).
The time we spend in worship feels utterly unlike any other time in our week - peaceful, calming, nonanxious. Our beautiful old sanctuary brings us deep peace; the traditional hymns, choir, and organ keep us connected to our roots; and thoughtful sermons provoke us to think about things like faith and life and service from a new perspective. We leave feeling like we've drawn closer to God.
Following worship, we enjoy a light coffee hour together in the parlor (10:30 a.m.-ish) and then a multigenerational discussion group Sunday School class where we talk about everything from the sermon to current events in the world to current events in our lives (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.-ish).
In addition, bulletins can be mailed or emailed to any who would like to have a copy in their hands. (We normally drop them off at the post office by noon on Thursday.) Please call (740-353-4159) or email (secondpres@yahoo.com) to be added to our list!
If you're looking for a place to worship, there's a place for you with us.
(Thanks to friend of Second Pres Jon Burton for the photo of the sanctuary.)
New in worship
A new addition to in-person worship: following the Healing and Wholeness service in September 2024, someone asked if we could provide the option to light candles before or after the service as a personal act of worship.
And we are pleased to announce that a candle-lighting station is now available in the sanctuary (on the piano side).
A prayer card is provided if you need some words, but if you can’t find the words, know that the act of lighting a candle itself is a prayer – God knows the need and the words.
(If you are worshiping from afar, you can still light a candle before or after the service as a prayer.)
God's Pantry
God’s Pantry (our 40+ year-old choice-based food pantry) is open on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (One visit per month.)
Ours is a choice-based pantry where our neighbors can shop for items using points determined by household size.
Emergency food available is available through the church office on days when the Pantry is closed. (Emergency food counts as that month's visit.)
Please contact the church office at 740-353-4159 if you have questions, are interested in donating, or would like to know about volunteer opportunities.
Serving Our Neighbors
In December 2024, we were only opened 2 for Wednesdays and still served 328 people from 159 households in Scioto County, including 91 seniors and 58 children.
Compare that to the numbers from November 2024: 354 people from 177 households in Scioto County, including 94 seniors, 187 adults, and 73 children.
And we also received a quarterly check from the Kroger Community Rewards program for $178.98 from 34 households. (Don't forget to round up at the check out!)
Thank you for your support of this vital community ministry!
Partners in the Pantry - Socks & Shoes
Pastor Thayer Wallace and our friends from Central Church Portsmouth are distributing (new) socks and (new and gently used) shoes to our neighbors in need when God's Pantry is open.
If you have questions, please call the Central Church office at 740-353-5846.
Ringing in the New Year together!
Thanks to those who joined us for our Early Bird NYE game night!
2025 -- 150th anniversary!
SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
We are knee-deep in planning for our 2025 SESQUICENTENNIAL (150TH) CELEBRATION!
Thank you!
We invited our members and friends, near and far, to support financially all the activities we are planning for our anniversary celebration with an end-of-the-year gift! And we are pleased to announced that we have received over $5000 in donations to fund our celebration - thanks for your generosity!
Kickoff Event
The kickoff event for our 150th Anniversary Season of Celebration is coming up on Sun, Feb 9 – that’s the exact date of our official organization/charter date in 1875. (It was a Tuesday in 1875, but providentially, it's a Sunday in 2025!)
During the service, we’ll celebrate the sacrament of communion, enjoy glorious special music, and introduce our Anniversary service project - packing 150 emergency clean-up buckets through Church World Service!
During lunch, we will reflect on our remarkable journey and our relationship with First Pres, hand out certificates of celebration to long-time members, and representatives from the Presbytery will deliver an anniversary certificate from the Presbyterian Historical Society.
We hope you will RSVP so we know how many to prepare communion for and how many chairs we need around the dining room tables!
RSVP forms are available by the bulletins, to download and print out HERE, and *NEW* you can register online HERE.
Kickoff Event
The kickoff event for our 150th Anniversary Season of Celebration is coming up on Sun, Feb 9 – that’s the exact date of our official organization/charter date in 1875. (It was a Tuesday in 1875, but providentially, it's a Sunday in 2025!)
During the service, we’ll celebrate the sacrament of communion, enjoy glorious special music, and introduce our Anniversary service project - packing 150 emergency clean-up buckets through Church World Service!
During lunch, we will reflect on our remarkable journey and our relationship with First Pres, hand out certificates of celebration to long-time members, and representatives from the Presbytery will deliver an anniversary certificate from the Presbyterian Historical Society.
We hope you will RSVP so we know how many to prepare communion for and how many chairs we need around the dining room tables!
RSVP forms are available by the bulletins, to download and print out HERE, and *NEW* you can register online HERE.
Bonus Opportunity
We'll have a “tile table” available on Sun, Feb 9 where you can pick out a tile (dislodged from the roof in the September 2024 storms) in return for a donation. Tiles are all shapes and sizes, so you are welcome to choose your own donation.
Save the date for June Anniversary Festivities
In June, we will host the heart of our Sesquicentennial Anniversary (when the weather is better for travel!) with an organ recital, a choral concert, an open house, and a special Pentecost worship service with lunch to follow.
These events will take place Thurs, June 5 – Sun, June 8, 2025.
Please mark these dates on your calendar!
Christmas Eve
Thanks to all the members, friends, and visitors who worshiped with us at our traditional Christmas Eve service with organ and choir, carols, communion, and candles during "Silent Night." It was good to gather and worship with you.
Many thanks to our guest musicians who helped lead worship along with Pastor Allison:
Kody Jernigan & John Parker, trumpets
Nicholas Amis, french horn
Christy Stephan, euphonium
Grant Stephan, tuba
Kara Penley, flute
Tehya Hazelbaker, harp
And, as always, to our Director of Music, Dr. Stanley Workman, and the Chancel Choir
You can watch the service HERE on our YouTube channel.
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Thank you to all who joined us at Lessons & Carols, graciously hosted by Cornerstone Church while our boiler was being repaired. (Thanks be to God for heat!)
If you missed it or want to watch it again, an edited video is available on our YouTube channel HERE.
Lessons & Carols
2025 is the Year of the Bible
It looks like we're starting out this adventure with 19 participants (+ Pastor Allison)! She's providing weekly emails to help keep us all on track and give us some things to think about.
If you decide you want to join us even after we've started, just contact the church office, and we'll be glad to add you to the group.
("The Year of the Bible" by James E. Davison books are $13 and available from the church office or you can order a copy online.)
Second Pres 801 Waller St Portsmouth, OH 45662
740-353-4159
Coffee & Conversation
Every week, a group of folks from Second and other churches meet on Mondays from 10am-12pm for coffee and conversation at Tim Horton’s to discuss life, faith, current events, and whatever else is on their hearts and minds.
There’s a chair for you around the table!
God's Pantry
Can you help our choice-based food pantry that’s been in operation for 40+ years?
Choose us as your Kroger Community Rewards organization, and when you shop with your rewards card, the people we serve benefit!
Our NPO (Non-Profit Organization) number is BB589 – “GOD’S PANTRY SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.”
And make sure you say, “Please round that up!” when you check out!
BUILDING RESTORATION PROJECT
From Pastor Allison:
I still remember the first time I saw Second Pres.
It was February 22, 2016. I had already had 2 Skype interviews with the pastoral nominating committee and was feeling hopeful about our first in-person conversation.
It was my first time in Portsmouth, and when I pulled up to the stoplight at the corner of Waller and 9th Street, I looked up at this big, beautiful, sprawling building, and my mouth dropped open. Then I took a picture since the light was still red – a picture I still have on my phone.
Later, when I walked into the sanctuary, I felt like I was coming home. It was similar to churches I had known before and yet it was different. The space was larger, the stained glass more stunning, and the soft organ music from the chancel more beautiful than any I had heard before.
I knew that this was a special place. That I was standing on holy ground.
(Read more HERE.)