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.)
Thank you for your continuing support of this important community ministry!
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:
%20ed.png/:/rs=w:400,cg:true,m)
PipeScreams Organ Spooktacular
Join us for our annual Halloween “Spooktacular" concert featuring fabulous organists and a host of other performers who will make this an unforgettable evening featuring our beloved organ, "Ma Kilgen."
Fri, Oct 30, 7:00 pm
Second Presbyterian Church (Portsmouth, OH)
This concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
Online Gathering
A PODCAST CLUB experiment - especially for our YouTube worshipers!
(Others are welcome too :-)
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
Contact the church office for the Zoom link!
###
4 podcasts (food trucks, movie sound effects, "How to Clean Your House Without Losing Your Mind" + one more ...)
4 Zoom discussions
If we like it, we'll do it again.
If we don't, we'll never speak of it again.
Contact the church office (740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com) or talk to Pastor Allison.
Game Night
Our next game night is Fri, Oct 16 at 6 pm.
Bring a snack and a game to share.
Or, if it’s been a long week, just bring yourself – you’re enough!
Walking with God
Join us following worship on Sun, Oct 18, for another Walking with God prayer walk.
We’ll gather at a location to be announced and spend some quiet time walking, reflecting, and praying by ourselves together.
No special preparation is needed. Come as you are, and take some time to slow down, breathe, pay attention to God’s presence, and make space for prayer while also giving our nervous systems a chance to regulate.
Hearts & Minds
We had a successful first meeting for Hearts & Minds, a new initiative in Scioto County! Our goal is to gather congregations who are concerned for and want to support the mental health of their members and friends!
Our next meeting is Mon, Oct 19 at Cornerstone (Portsmouth) Church.
We’re going to talk about these 3 questions:
What mental health concerns are you seeing in your congregation or community?
What is your congregation already doing that seems to help?
Where do you find yourself wishing you had more support, resources, or tools?
If you have answers to those questions, Pastor Allison would love to hear them!
Feed the Choir
In high school, they "feed the team."
At Second Pres, we want to "feed the choir!"
We hope to feed the choir before rehearsal on Wednesdays once a month - if you want to be a part of that or sponsor a meal, talk to Suzie Hunter.
10th Anniversary - Choral Scholars Program
We are pleased to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Choral Scholars program here at Second Presbyterian Church in 2026!
We have benefited greatly from the many college students (now up to 25!) who have shared their musical talents and presence in choir rehearsals, worship services, special musical events, and in times of fellowship.
As we move into the upcoming school year/choir season, we want to express our gratitude, not only for these participants, but for the positive, ongoing support the congregation has extended for this vital program.
We are excited to welcome back continuing and future participants in our Choral Scholars Program!
Active Parenting Classes
The Garden Advocacy Center (Chillicothe, OH) is a non-profit organization offering Active Parenting classes at Second Pres on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the Parlor.
The Active Parenting Program is designed to give families the tools, support, and confidence to raise responsible, respectful, and resilient children.
It teaches how to build strong relationships, set clear limits, manage challenging behaviors, and make family life overall more enjoyable.
The class is designed for parents/caregivers of 5-12-year-olds, but the material is certainly appropriate for parents/caregivers of children under 5 who want to be prepared and for those looking for help parenting teenagers.
Session 1: The Active Parent - what does it mean?
Session 2: Cooperation and Communication
Session 3: Responsibility and Discipline
Session 4: Building Courage and Self-Esteem
Session 5: Understanding and Redirecting Misbehavior
Session 6: Active Parenting for School Success
You can attend one class that catches your interest or all 6 to earn a certificate of completion.
Faith-Based Suicide Prevention
This summer, Second Pres hosted a Soul Shop train-the-trainer event.
Participants from around southern Ohio (including Pastor Allison) learned how to teach suicide prevention training for the faith community from Soul Shop trainers. (We now have 3 in Scioto County.)
How can the church address a widespread sense of hopelessness? Suicide isn’t just a result of mental illness or depression; it often arises from profound desperation and loss of social connection
In a world where relationships are fractured and hope is fading, the church has a unique opportunity to step in, offering healing, connection, and renewal.We can make a difference.
Learn more about Soul Shop here:
https://www.soulshopmovement.org/
And if you'd like to particiate in a 90-minute training for communities or the very thorough 8-hour training, please contact Pastor Allison: secondpres@yahoo.com or 740-353-4159.
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!
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
There are no words to describe the experience of our most recent Lessons & Carols service in December 2025. 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.
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