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 February 2026, we served 243 people from 135 Scioto County households including 75 seniors, 136 adults, and 32 children. (That includes 7 bags of emergency food distributed through the office when the Pantry is closed.)
NOTE: If you would like to directly care for our most vulnerable neighbors who struggle to regularly put food on their tables, monetary donations are always welcome and give us the most flexibility to buy what we need at any moment.
Partners in the Pantry - Socks & Shoes
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:
LENT 2026
What is Lent?
The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and self-examination in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. It is a period of 40 days — like the flood of Genesis, Moses’ sojourn at Mount Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, Jonah’s call to Ninevah to repent, and Jesus’ time of testing in the wilderness.
Lenten theme: “Candid Conversations with Jesus: Learning to Talk WITH People, Not AT Them” - This Lent, we will follow Jesus as he models honest, life-changing conversation. Each week, we’ll explore how he listens, questions, and speaks with care - and how we can do the same. Lent is a time to practice talking with each other, not at each other, letting Christ guide our words, our listening, and our hearts.
We will have 2 Ash Wednesday service options on Wed, Feb 18: Ashes and communion will be offered at each service
8:00 am in the sanctuary – we’ll be finished in time for you to get to work by 9:00 am
6:00 pm in the sanctuary – we’ll be finished in time for choir to begin at 7:00 pm
Also, our quarterly Hill View Prayer and Communion Service (Sat, Feb 21at 3pm) will also serve as an "Ash Saturday" service.
LENT 2026
Lenten Study
This Lenten focus on “Candid Conversations with Jesus” connects with the purpose of The Dignity Index by inviting us to examine how our words either honor or diminish the humanity of others.
From the website: If You Could Help Ease the Divisions in America, Would You Do It?
Our disagreements aren’t causing the divisions in our country; it’s what we do when we disagree. Do we treat the other side with dignity, or do we treat them with contempt? The first brings us together; the second drives us apart.
We’ll learn about how to “score” conversations using The Humanity Index in Sunday School and as a small group on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Holy Week at Second Pres
Sun, March 29 Palm/Passion Sunday at 9:30 am– a musical presentation of Holy Week events
Thurs, April 2 Maundy Thursday at 6:00 pm – a shared service with First Pres to remember Jesus’ “last supper” with his disciples and then his arrest (held at Second Pres, Rev. Lisa Eye from First Pres, preaching)
Fri, April 3 Good Friday at 6:00 pm – "The Crucifixion - A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer" is an oratorio for soloists, choir and organ, composed by prominent English composer, John Stainer, in 1887, with text by Anglican priest, W. J. Sparrow Simpson. It is based on the traditional format of the great Passions of Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring a Biblical narrative interspersed with choruses, solos & duets, and hymns reflecting on the Passion story. The text consists of passages from the King James Bible, with poetic material written by Sparrow Simpson. "The Crucifixion" is regularly performed in the UK and is particularly known for its beautiful motet "God So Loved the World" (which was our anthem not too long ago). The Chancel Choir & Friends will lead this service with Dr. Stanley Workman playing the organ.
Sun, April 5 Easter Sunday at 9:30 am – a glorious celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on the third day with the Sacrament of Communion, special music, and activities for kids and teens following the service
Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic
In partnership with the Animal Welfare League of Scioto County, we are again hosting the R.A.S.C.A.L. Unit (Columbus) for a mobile spay/neuter clinic for fixed and limited income families.
Registration is Sat, March 7, and the clinic is Sat, March 14.
(Surgeries take place in the mobile unit parked along 8th St, and the cats and dogs wait and recover in the church building.)
We are grateful for the opportunity to provide the hospitality of our space to the AWL and to our neighbors who care for their pets.
GAME NIGHT
Our next Game Night is scheduled for Fri, March 20 at 6:00 pm.
Besides being the 1st Day of Spring, in the Presbyterian Church, it's also Mr. Rogers’ Day, so wear a cardigan and canvas shoes to join us for food, games, and fellowship!
P.S. Pastor Allison has a new version old game she thinks you will think is ridiculous and hilarious!
Walking with God
Our next “Walking with God” prayer walk is scheduled for Sun, March 29 following worship.
Rain or shine or even snow (as long as it’s not a Level 2 or 3!), we’ll once again venture out into nature to spend time in God’s presence, together but separately.
This is NOT a hike; the trail will be accessible, and we hope to lower hearts rates and relax nervous systems.
(Location: TBA. Carpooling is suggested but not required.)
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 - stop by and say hi!
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!
Christmas Eve Worship
Thanks to all who joined us for Christmas Eve worship.
If you missed it or would like to watch it again, here are the links.
Livestream link here: https://youtube.com/live/yRMU4W7GLwk?feature=share
Large-print bulletin here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ug6tiEni4yQJqtOA3TjSPa3LpUtiZmhc/view?usp=sharing
Large-print sermon here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hTLJ_i5-gr3-loUyXI6Ct4MXtncWqNqM/view?usp=sharing
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
There are no words to describe the experience of this year's Lessons & Carols. And how grateful we are to all those who helped to make this a spiritually transformative experience.
So we won't even try.
Here's a LINK to the livestream if you want to watch it or watch it again.