serving jesus christ and our neighbors in portsmouth, oh since 1875
serving jesus christ and our neighbors in portsmouth, oh since 1875
Worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
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.)
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.
In September 2024, we served 332 people from 155 households - 77 seniors, 180 adults, and 65 children.
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.
* NEW * NEW * NEW *
We’re expanding the plans for PipeScreams!!
Because Hurricane Helene flooded out our fundraising plans for December's "Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols," we're adding some fundraisers to PipeScreams!
- Doors will now open an hour BEFORE the 7pm concert for ROUND 1: basket raffles (tickets) and a silent auction of seasonal items and fun for kids of all ages.
- ROUND 2 begins AFTER the concert: our traditional high-stakes dessert auction with a twist – this year, it will be a silent auction! So, we’ll provide festive fall foods while you wait for the bidding to end, but it’s up to you to stay near the dessert/prize you have your eye on!
- BONUS: the envelopes are back! We've done this fundraiser before, and it went well, so we're bringing it back: on a bulletin board outside the sanctuary, there will be envelopes numbered 1-31 (for Halloween!). Donations equal to the envelope number can be tucked inside. If all the envelopes are filled, we'll raise almost $500!
- All donations support December’s “Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols” service.
PipeScreams Spooktacular Organ Concert (Sun, Oct 27 at 7 pm) featuring our favorite spooktacular and unusual music! This year, we’re presenting a special guest organist from L.A. (yes, Los Angelos!) who has musical skills like you’ve NEVER heard before! Except … if you’ve been to the movies in the last couple of years, maybe you HAVE heard his skills!! Stay tuned for more details!
We are knee-deep in planning for our 2025 SESQUICENTENNIAL (150TH) CELEBRATION!
(In fact, we may have more ideas that we can possibly fit in one weekend!)
Our next planning conversation is scheduled for Tues, Oct 15 at noon. (Bring a lunch if you need to!)
We're getting ready to send out SAVE THE DATE cards - please make sure we have your updated contact information! And if you worship with us on the radio or by livestream and aren't sure if we have your info, let us know - we'd love to put you on our invitation list!
Campfire + outdoor games
Fri, Oct 18 at 7 pm
What outdoor game are you bringing?
(Pastor Allison's got the rubber chickens for the "rubber chicken toss!")
Can you contribute something to a S'more buffet?
On Sat, Sept 17, join the Deacons, Pastor Allison, and Dr. Stan Workman for a service of prayer and communion with our members and friends at Hill View - 3 pm in the Forrest Room.
In the Reformed theological tradition (of which Second Pres is a part), All Saints’ Sunday (observed on Nov 3) is a day in the church calendar to give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of believers in this and every age.
It is a reminder that we are part of the continuing, living communion of saints (with a lower case s).
On All Saints’ Sunday, we will remember loved ones (particularly who have died in the past year) and celebrate the sacrament of communion. If you would like a name/names included in the bulletin, they should be submitted to the office (740-353-4159, secondpres@yahoo.com) by Sun, Oct 27.
We're meeting on Mondays at 5:30 pm starting on Mon, Oct 7 in the parlor.
Please read the chapter of the week and keep up with the Day-by-Day devotional.
A Stanford Evensong Concert
Featuring works of Charles Villers Stanford for voice and organ
Many thanks to Dr. Jeremiah Martin (a native son of Ireland), Dr. Stanley E. Workman, Jr. (Director of Music at Second Pres), Mariah Ginn, Lynnsey Williams, Justin Wiget (Director of Music at All Saints' Episcopal Church), and Rev. Allison Bauer for presenting this contemplative musical service.
Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h24I_ujx6jY. A copy of the bulletin is included in the description.
Every MONDAY at 10:00a.m., a group of folks from Second Pres and friends from other churches and the community gather at Coffee at the Lofts to "spiritually loiter" at one of the crossroads of our community.
*While the Lofts is closed on Mondays in the summer, they're meeting at Tim Horton's.
Everyone is welcome to drop in and say hi or to to linger for a while. (When the weather's nice, we like to meet under the "cabana" next to the coffeeshop!)
Location: Lofts Coffee Company & Roastery (842 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662)
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 check from Kroger (May 2024) was for $173.57 from 33 households - that's an increase in both the amount AND number of households from last quarter! (Thank you!)
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!
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.)
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