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 (92.1FM 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). (Usually this is a sermon post-mortem.)
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.)
To visit the Pantry, you'll fill out a form and need to bring a valid ID (driver's license or state ID), proof of residency in Scioto County, and social security numbers for anyone in your household.
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.
Ours is a choice-based pantry where our neighbors can shop for items using points determined by household size. Emergency food is available through the church office on days when the Pantry is closed. (Emergency food counts as that month's visit.)
UPDATE FROM GOD’S PANTRY:
In God’s Pantry during September, we served a total of 266 people from 139 households including 42 children, 146 adults, and 78 senior citizens.
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.
Social Media
LIKE & FOLLOW us to keep up with what God is doing at Second Pres!
Facebook: Second Presbyterian Church – Portsmouth, OH
Instagram: @secondpresportsmouthoh
YouTube: Second Presbyterian Church Portsmouth, OH
(livestreamed worship services and concerts)
Send us an email to be added to our weekly Constant Contact newsletter:
PipeScreams Spooktacular Organ Concert
Join us for our PipeScreams Spooktacular Organ Concert on Halloween evening starting at 8:00 pm.
(Trick or treating ends at 7 pm - if you have to/want to wear your costume, feel free!)
We're joined again this year by Aaron Shows, "The Hollywood Organist," Jerry Martin, organist and theremin magician, Patrick Torsell, organist from the Scioto Catholic Parish, Doug Leightenheimer, Portsmouth native and accomplished organist, and our own Stan Workman - organist, music director, and PipeSreams coordinator.
We'll be joined by some "nuns" having fun, our Second Pres choral scholars, and the Portsmouth Youth Ballet.
This concert is FREE but donations are welcome.
All Saints' Sunday
On Sunday, November 2, we will celebrate All Saints' Sunday by remembering the everyday saints among us who have died in the past year, including Second Pres members and friends of our members.
These names will be listed bulletin. We will also celebrate communion that day.
If you would like a name added to the list, please contact Rebecca in the office (740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com) by Monday, October 27.
Fall Fest Thank you!
Many, many thanks for your generosity at Fall Fest!
We feasted on fall foods, cake walked, bake sale-ed, bid on delicious desserts (and a few veggies), and took home prizes from the goodie bags - all to support a worship service we love.
From the folks who planned and led it to the folks who financially supported it, thank you for your generous support for our Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols (this year scheduled for Tues, Dec 16 at 7:30 pm)!
A Chorus of Generosity
Stewardship 2026
When we sing together, something holy happens — our voices join in harmony, creating something more beautiful than we could alone.
This is the image behind our 2026 stewardship theme, A Chorus of Generosity. Like a choir, our church blends many voices, gifts, and resources into one song of praise and service.
As we make a joyful noise to the Lord together (Psalm 100), we respond to God’s love with gratitude through our giving, serving, and singing.
You’re invited to prayerfully consider your 2026 pledge as part of this chorus. Pledge cards are due by Stewardship Sunday, October 26, when we’ll dedicate our gifts in worship.
30 Day Generosity Challenge
We've been talking a lot about generosity lately. Now, are you ready for a 30-day generosity challenge leading up to Thanksgiving?
On Sun, Oct 26, the calendars will be in the bulletins, and each day has another suggestion for how to be generous.
Donations to God's Pantry are included as generosity challenges:
soap or body wash (18-20 oz); shampoo (18-20 oz); deodorant (2.6 oz); toothbrushes and toothpaste; feminine hygiene products
How many days do you think you can meet the challenge? Check it out HERE.
Walking with God
Recently, some Second Pres members and friends were talking about the places where they especially feel God's presence. Among the answers was nature!
So we're talking about packing a bagged lunch, taking a walk with God on a short, level path/trail, and incorporating prayer in the walk (in November).
Is that something that would interest you? If so, give us a call/email so we can keep you posted as plans develop.
(This is open to anyone who's interested - not just our members and friends. Feel free to invite a friend!)
Tour of Historic Places
Guess who's been added to Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom's "Tour of Historical Places?" Us!
Sun, Dec 7, 1-5 pm
Ticket-holders will travel from site to site, looking and learning about local history.
We're looking for friendly folks to welcome visitors and show them around - let the office know if you're interested.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
We set a very ambitious goal to pack 150 emergency clean-up buckets for Church World Service to honor our 150th Anniversary ... and we did it!
Thanks so much to all who contributed and especially to Carrie who did all the organizing and re-organizing for this!
Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic
What a day we had on Wednesday!
The Pantry was open, the Nooners were meeting, and the halls were ringing with barks and meows as we hosted the Animal Welfare League and the R.A.S.C.A.L. Unit (Columbus) mobile spay/neuter clinic.
The surgeries take place in the R.A.S.C.A.L. truck, and the animals wait and recover in the church building. This is our second mobile/spay clinic of the year.
Serving so many of our neighbors by sharing our space with them is a beautiful witness to God’s presence and kindness here in Portsmouth.
Afternoon tea and an evening showing of "Downtown Abbey"
Celebrating 150 years - Appreciate the past, celebrate the present, anticipate the future
Coffee & Conversation
The Coffee & Conversation group (folks from Second and other churches) meets at 10 a.m. on Mondays at Tim Hortons (1130 Chillicothe St) for coffee and conversation about life, faith, and current events.
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!