serving jesus christ and our neighbors in portsmouth, oh since 1875
serving jesus christ and our neighbors in portsmouth, oh since 1875
Worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
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 (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 September 2024, God's Pantry served 332 people from 155 households -
77 seniors, 180 adults, and 65 children.
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.
PIPESCREAMS SPOOKTACULAR ORGAN CONCERT
6:00 pm - doors open for fundraising
(basket raffles and silent auction of seasonal items)
7:00 pm - concert begins
8:20 pm - high-stakes dessert silent auction
Our annual PipeScreams Organ Spooktacular concert brings together some of our favorite musical friends to present seasonally spectacular music!
Along with soloists, our SSU Choral Scholars, and community youth dancers, we're also featuring our friend, Aaron Shows - the Hollywood organist who has played for Pixar films and is an amazing improviser!
From "Phantom of the Opera" to "Beetlejuice," this concert runs the musical gamut! Oh, and don't forget about the theremin! AND you've heard of "Dueling Banjos" ... but what about dueling organs??
You'll see and hear it all at PipeScreams on Sun, Oct 27 at 7:00 pm.
NOTE: Since our Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for December's "Festival of Lessons & Carols Service" (with a full orchestra and singing friends from the community) was flooded out by Hurricane Helene, we're adding some in-person fundraising to PipeScreams starting at 6:00 pm and will continue following the concert.
If you'd like to contribute to this fundraiser, here are some giving options:
1. Drop a gift in the mail to us (Second Presbyterian Church 801 Waller St Portsmouth, OH 45662)
2. Make a donation through our PayPal Charity Profile (Second Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth Ohio)
3. Use the secure online giving page of our website: http://www.secondpres-portsmouth.org
Questions? Call 740-353-4159 or email secondpres@yahoo.com.
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!)
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!
Many thanks to the Deacons for organizing October's Prayer & Communion Service at Hill View, and to Pastor Allison, and Dr. Stan Workman for leading it.
It was so good to see many of our members and friends gathering for fellowship and worship with us!
We'll be back for communion again in November and then for a Christmas hymn sing in December, so keep your eyes open for flyers in your bulletin!
In the Reformed theological tradition (of which Second Pres is a part), All Saints’ Sunday (observed on Nov 3) is a day in the church calendar to give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of believers in this and every age.
It is a reminder that we are part of the continuing, living communion of saints (with a lower case s).
On All Saints’ Sunday, we will remember loved ones (particularly who have died in the past year) and celebrate the sacrament of communion. If you would like a name/names included in the bulletin, they should be submitted to the office (740-353-4159, secondpres@yahoo.com) by Sun, Oct 27.
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Tues, Dec 17 at 7:30 pm
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 a community choir and a full orchestra.
We're meeting on Mondays at 5:30 pm starting on Mon, Oct 7 in the parlor.
Please read the chapter of the week and keep up with the Day By Day devotional.
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!
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!
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.)
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