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 (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). (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.)
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.
Serving Our Neighbors
Update from God’s Pantry: In April, we served a total of 279 people from 155 households including 90 seniors, 145 adults, and 44 children. Many thanks to those who volunteer their time in this critical ministry and all those who support it financially!
(In March 2025, we served 274 people from 143 households including 89 seniors, 139 adults, and 46 children.)
Our most recent quarterly check from Kroger Community Rewards arrived: $177.27 from 36 households. (Thank you to our new households!)
(The last check was $178.98 from 34 households.)
Please round up at the checkout, and pick God’s Pantry at Second Pres as your "Community Reward Program" (BB589) choice.
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.
Celebrating 150 years - Appreciate the past, celebrate the present, anticipate the future
Anniversary Service Project
50 buckets packed at our Anniversary Open House! We're aiming for another 50 by the middle of the summer!
We've still got a ways to go ... can you help us out? HERE's the bucket list items.
Besides donations dropped off or sent to the church, we can take online donations through our website and PayPal. More info here: https://secondpres-portsmouth.org/giving.
Upcoming Events at Second Pres
Join us for a summer game night on Fri, June 20 at 6 pm in the parlor. Bring a game and a snack to share. Or just bring yourself - you're enough.
Attention Year-of-the-Bible-ers! We're gathering at 6 pm in the parlor on Tues, June 24 for a mid-year check-in carry-in/potluck! Bring a dish to share, and we'll gather around the table to fellowship and encourage each other on this big journey we're on together.
"Christianity and World Religions: Questions We Ask About Other Faiths" (Adam Hamilton)
In Sunday School, the conversation often asks, “What do other religions believe about that?” (That being grace, salvation, eternity, etc.) So now we’re going to find out by reading the book, “Christianity and World Religions: Questions We Ask About Other Faiths” in Sunday School following worship and coffee hour. We can also do a weekday morning or evening group - let me know if you're interested in that!
round 2 - 150th Anniversary festivities (june 5-8, 2025)
Coffee & Conversation
The Coffee & Conversation group (folks from Second and other churches) meets at 10 am 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!
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!