EASTER SUNDAY
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.)
Good News from God's Pantry!
Pastor Thayer Wallace and our new friends from Central Church Portsmouth have set up and begun distributing new socks and gently used shoes to our neighbors in need when God's Pantry is open.
NOTE: They currently need gently used tennis shoes of all sizes and new low-cut/no-show socks! Boxes are available by the sanctuary entrances, or donation can be dropped off in the office during the week Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
If you have questions, please call the Central Church office at 740-353-5846.
Please pray for all the wonderful possibilities that could come from this partnership!
Prayer & Communion at Hill View
Join the Deacons, Pastor Allison, and Dr. Stan Workman for a Prayer & Communion Service at Hill View Retirement communion on Sat, 27 at 10:30 a.m. We'll stay for lunch and then do visits. All members and friends are invited to join us for this ministry!
NEW Book Group
"My Bright Abyss"
If you are pondering the intersection of faith, mortality, uncertainty, and the mystery of love, Pastor Allison hopes you will give this book a chance and consider joining us for a 6-week book discussion group.
Mondays at 6:15 p.m. in the Parlor
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor
From Friends to Members
We know we have some friends among us who are ready to join Second Pres! (Hurray!)
We also know there are some among us who aren't sure about joining but would like to learn more about what Presbyterians believe. And we're also guessing there are some who wouldn't mind brushing up on our beliefs and history.
Whether you're ready to join or want to know more, we hope you'll join us for "Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers" informational sessions in June that will lead up to new members' classes in July.
If you are curious and interested, let us know so we can schedule to include you!
Musical Updates
Many thanks to the choir for their worship leadership this year! You are an integral part of our worshiping experience, and we appreciate all the ways you help us to hear God speaking to us through your music.
We are also receiving good reports on the organ renovations from our friends at Peebles-Herzog! (We're calling this Ma Kilgen's summer spa vacation!) PH was here this week starting to rebuild and upgrade the console while re-leathering all the pouches continues in their workshop in Columbus.
Keep your eyes open for info about a welcome home party/organ concert later this summer!
Board Game Night
Another BOARD GAME night is in the books! What a wonderful time we had drawing CLOSER to each other, just as Jesus drew closer to the disciples in all those post-resurrection experiences!
Stay tuned for the date for June's game night!
THANK YOU - building fundraiser
Last year, the Second Pres building (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996) went through a round of renovations, and we called it, “This Old (Beloved!) Church!” Exterior building restoration and preservation work was done on the top of the bell tower (1910) and over two of the entrances to the church (Eighth St and Waller St, 1911) due to failing mortar and falling pieces of the building.
We set a goal of raising $10,000 in the 40 days of Lent to benefit these projects. Thank to our members and friends, near and far, we not only met but SURPASSED our goal by raising $12,225 by Easter Sunday! Since then, donations have continued to come in. This week, the fundraising board is coming down, much later than anticipated. And we want to give one more update. As of Thurs, May 18, you have given $14,725.
Alice Walker is quoted as saying, "'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding."
THANK YOU.
god's pantry
A CHOICE-BASED FOOD PANTRY
We are grateful to all of our God's Pantry volunteers and donors for all their support!
God's Pantry is open on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Look for the sign near the entrance.
And we're now partnering with Central Church Portsmouth and their Socks & Shoes Ministry. They give away new socks and fit our neighbors for gently used shoes. (Questions? Call 740-353-5846.)
At the Pantry, we follow the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services income guidelines, and "points" to spend on food, household, and cleaning items are determined by household size.
The Pantry is also accessible from the ramp entrance (facing the PHS track) with a chairlift from the first floor to the basement. Contact the church office to use this alternate entrance.
Emergency food is also available by contacting the office (740-353-4159) when the Pantry is not open. Other community resources are available here.
OPEN OFFICE HOURS
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.
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)
God's Pantry
Can you help our choice-based food pantry that’s been in operation for over 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.)