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.)
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 November 2024, we served 354 people from 177 households in Scioto County. That's 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.
The Great Boiler Saga of '24
After the September storm - Hurricane Helene's aftermath - the church suffered damage to several areas. (See pictures below.)
Most of the repairs are complete ... except the boiler. MANY heaters are keeping our spaces in the 50s, but it's still very cold!
Here's where we are with things:
- We are grateful for the warm welcome (and warm sanctuary!) of our friends from All Saints' Episcopal Church where we're worshiping this Sunday. All choir rehearsals will also be held there. (610 4th St Portsmouth, OH 45662)
- The final part we need likely won't be available until February 2025. (Insert sad trombone noise.)
- Thank you to the small army of members and friends from the community who showed up on Thursday, Dec 5 to set up heaters all over the building!
- We have several pathways we're exploring in terms of temporary heat. We're not sure whether it will be warm enough for us to worship in the sanctuary comfortably (and for poor Ma Kilgen to pull out all her stops), but it will protect the building!
We'll keep you posted!
ADVENT 2024
"Ad" means “to” and "vent" means “come.”
So, during the season of Advent, (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas), we:
- celebrate Jesus' first coming to earth (in the past);
- anticipate His second coming (in the future);
- AND (according to the mystic Bernard of Clairvaux) enjoy the THIRD coming of Jesus, which happens every day!
Our theme this year is "More Than Words," a worship resource developed by a group of pastors called Barn Geese Worship, and we're focusing on the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love in the sermons and as we light the candles on the Advent wreath.
More Than Words asserts that our Advent themes are, well, more than just words. Each theme begins and ends—like Advent itself—with God’s action. Hope, peace, joy, and love? These are the divine qualities of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, a daily "More Than Words" Advent devotional (large-print!) is available electronically and in printed copies from the church office. (Yes, we can mail a copy to you also.)
Pastor Allison has also put together a little guide for an Advent discipline of writing a particular kind of prayer called a "Collect" each day based on the book "Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love" by Padraig O Tuama, her favorite poet. (Sunday School class, this is coming your way especially!)
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Tues, Dec 17 at 7:30 pm
LOCATION CHANGE: We are grateful to Cornerstone Church of Portsmouth for hosting this year's Lessons & Carols service. (808 Offnere Street Portsmouth, OH 45662)
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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 the Second Pres Chancel Choir, friends from the community choir, and a full orchestra of tri-state musicians.
This service is free and open to the community. An offering will be taken during the service to support the special music program of Second Pres.
A DAY OF CAROLING
Sat, Dec 21 - A Day of Caroling!
Part 1: The Chancel Choir and Friends will sing at Winter Fest in Boneyfiddle at 2:30 pm!
Part 2: Join the Deacons and Dr. Stan Workman for a Christmas Hymn Sing with our members and friends at Hill View at 3:30 pm!
Christmas Eve
Save the date: Tues, Dec 24 at 6:00 pm
Join us for a traditional Christmas Eve Worship with Christmas carols with choir and organ, "Silent Night" candles, and the sacrament of communion.
We are pleased to have brass accompaniment once again and to welcome harpist Tehya Hazelbaker for this service!
NOTE: We're not sure where this service will be, but we know we're going to have one - stay tuned for more details.
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.)
Will you consider a year-end gift to our Anniversary Fund?
Our Anniversary Committee has been meeting since July to plan 2 celebrations:
1. Since February 9 (our official organizational date) providentially happens to be a Sunday in 2025, we’re going to kick off our 150th-anniversary celebration with a special worship service and lunch.
2. Then, Thurs, June 5 – Sun, June 8 (Pentecost Sunday), 2025, we’re hosting: musical concerts (organ + choral); an open house with refreshments and live music throughout the day; a living timeline of the church that you can contribute to; a service project that everyone can participate in; a scavenger hunt for kids; and a celebratory Sunday morning Pentecost worship service followed by lunch.
We invite 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!
You can make a general donation to our Anniversary Fund or sponsor a particular project:
Printing/mailing official invitations for members and friends ($250)
Sponsoring the receptions following the concerts ($400)
Sponsoring live music during the Open House ($500)
Sponsoring publicity and live radio remote during Open House ($500)
Sponsoring personalized keepsakes ($350)
Sponsoring the meals following worship ($500)
Sponsoring central reception tent/tables/chair rental (about $1500)
The 150th Anniversary Fund
Donations can be made:
* In honor or in memory of someone. Notification of this type of gift will be sent to the person of your choice.
* By returning the donation form (available from the church office) with a check made out to Second Presbyterian Church with “Anniversary Fund” in the memo line.
* Online through our website (https://secondpres-portsmouth.org/giving) and our PayPal Charity Profile (search for “Second Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth Ohio”).
* Dropping a check or cash off in the church office or an offering plate on Sunday morning.
If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com.
Happy (almost) 150th Anniversary!
Pastor Allison and the Anniversary Planning Committee
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.)