serving jesus christ and 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.)
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 October, we served 354 people in 197 households in Scioto County. That's 88 seniors, 215 adults, and 51 children.
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.
GIVING THANKS - SUN, NOV 24
Join us for a Thanksgiving service on Sun, Nov 24 with all your favorite Thanksgiving hymns … and the return of the Thanksgiving tree!
Starting Sun, Nov 17, leaves will be available for us all (the congregation, the Nooners AA group, and our neighbors who come to God’s Pantry) to write down what we’re thankful for and add them to the tree – feel free to add more than one.
PipeScreams RE-CAP
What a night of gathering for goofy, silly fun and making music we could never get away with on Sunday morning at PipeScreams on Sun, Oct 27!! (Like a little taste of the kingdom of heaven.)
MANY thanks to our Guest Artist, Aaron Shows for flying in from LA to knock our socks off! And of course to our own Stan Workman for being the creative genius behind all our musical adventures. And three cheers for Jerry Martin for all the help - on the organ bench, behind the theremin, and behind-the-livestreaming-scenes (along with our church BFF, Justin Wiget!).
It was great to be joined by our musical friends from the community, like Michele Imes, Josh Stewart (from the Josh Stewart band), and Josiah Burton; our SSU Choral Scholars (Savanna Nell, Jarod Emerson, and Kathryn Nelson), and the Shawnee State University Performing Arts Academy Portsmouth Youth Ballet dancers.
We counted 200+ heads in the building and see 400+ (and counting) views on the YouTube livestream. Along with Aaron who made the trek from CA, there were people from Chicago, Maryland, and St. Louis in attendance. (St. Louis is home of the Kilgen organ, and he came all this way to check out Ma Kilgen!) And we lost track of the number of countries represented on the livestream!
What a night we shared together!
If you missed it, there's a live recording on our YouTube channel.
2025 -- 150th anniversary!
SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
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 150th anniversary Save the Date cards are ready! If you’d like to save us the cost of a stamp, please pick up your Save the Date card - located in the basket in the sanctuary. (They are alphabetized by last name.)
And maybe you could deliver one to a friend who doesn’t normally worship with us in the sanctuary …?
(Extra cards are available, too, if you’d like to pass one along to someone who’s not on our list.)
PRAYER & COMMUNION AT HILL VIEW
Our next Hill View Prayer & Communion Service is scheduled for Sat, Nov 23 at 3 pm in the Forest Room.
Many thanks to the Deacons for organizing this service, and to Pastor Allison, and Dr. Stan Workman for leading it.
Coffee Hour Hosts
If you’re able to host a whole coffee hour or are willing to pitch in a few items here and there, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the parlor (on the table).
campfire & outdoor game night
SAVE THE DATE!
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Tues, Dec 17 at 7:30 pm
Following the tradition of King's College in England, Second Pres invites the community for our yearly "Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols" worship service featuring a community choir and a full orchestra.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS - DISCIPLESHIP COURSE
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.
hurricane helene hits southern oh - the clean-up begins
Coffee & Conversation & CINNAMON ROLLS!
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.)