serving jesus christ and 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.
In August 2024, we served 257 people from 132 households - 83 seniors, 134 adults, and 40 children.
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.
Flu Vaccine Clinic - Weds, Oct 9, 2024 (10 am - 2 pm)
*Open to anyone in the community!
Coming up on Weds, Oct 9 during the hours of God’s Pantry - a flu vaccine clinic with the Scioto County health department from 10 am - 2 pm.
(Due to water in the dining room, the clinic will be held in the kitchen next to God's Pantry.)
Ice Cream Social Fundraiser - POSTPONED
Due to water/chaos/life, we are POSTPONING the Ice Cream Social Fundraiser to a later date.
Stay tuned for more details as we dry out, fix the roof, and figure out what's next!
It’s the return of the ice cream social and (the high-stakes!) dessert auction!
$7 for a hot dog, chips, ice cream, cookie, and a drink.
Join us for games, a raffle, and the dessert auction featuring homemade delicacies from the kitchens of our members and friends.
(This is a fundraiser for our “Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols” service held every December for 30+ years.)
hurricane helene hits southern oh - the clean-up begins
Game Night
RESCHEDULED: Campfire + outdoor games
Fri, Oct 18 at 7 pm
What outdoor game are you bringing?
(Pastor Allison's got the rubber chickens for the "rubber chicken toss!")
Can you contribute something to a S'more buffet?
intersection of spirituality and mental health
Emotionally Healthy Relationships: an 8-week discipleship course
QUESTION: What's the common denominator in all your relationships?
You and God. You and your family. You and your friends. You and your neighbors. You and your boss/co-workers. You and your hairstylist. You and your medical providers.
ANSWER: It's YOU! So if you want healthier relationships, it starts with YOU. Join us for an 8-week discipleship course that will teach us to love God and love others well!
The details:
* We will meet weekly on Mondays from 5:30-7:00pm(ish) starting on Mon, Oct 7.
* This course is designed to help us love each other better and uses traditional spiritual disciplines to create a habit of loving God and others more healthily. (That means homework!)
*The two books for the class (a workbook and a daily devotional) are $15 and are available from the church office: 740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com.
NOTE: If all goes according to plan, we will finish just in time for Thanksgiving, which can often be an emotionally challenging time for all kinds of relationships, ESPECIALLY following a Presidential election.
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 next planning conversation is scheduled for Tues, Oct 15 at noon. (Bring a lunch if you need to!)
We're getting ready to send out SAVE THE DATE cards - please make sure we have your updated contact information! And if you worship with us on the radio or by livestream and aren't sure if we have your info, let us know - we'd love to put you on our invitation list!
Spooktacular music
PIPESCREAMS ORGAN CONCERT
Sun, Oct 27, 2024
4:00 pm
Our next musical extravaganza – a PipeScreams organ concert featuring our favorite spooktacular music!
This year, we’re featuring a special guest organist who has musical skills like you’ve NEVER heard before! Except ... maybe you have, you just didn't know it was him!!!
Celebrating Stanford in a BIG way!
A Stanford Evensong Concert
Featuring works of Charles Villers Stanford for voice and organ
Many thanks to Dr. Jeremiah Martin (a native son of Ireland), Dr. Stanley E. Workman, Jr. (Director of Music at Second Pres), Mariah Ginn, Lynnsey Williams, Justin Wiget (Director of Music at All Saints' Episcopal Church), and Rev. Allison Bauer for presenting this contemplative musical service.
Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h24I_ujx6jY. A copy of the bulletin is included in the description.
Coffee & Conversation & CINNAMON ROLLS!
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.
*While the Lofts is closed on Mondays in the summer, they're meeting at Tim Horton's.
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 40+ years?
Choose us as your Kroger Community Rewards organization, and when you shop with your rewards card, the people we serve benefit!
Our check from Kroger (May 2024) was for $173.57 from 33 households - that's an increase in both the amount AND number of households from last quarter! (Thank you!)
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.)