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).
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
In October, we served 354 people in 197 households in Scioto County. That's 88 seniors, 215 adults, and 51 children.
Thank you for your support of this vital community ministry!
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.
The Great Boiler Saga of '24
After the September storm - Hurricane Helene's aftermath - the church suffered damage to several areas. (See pictures below.)
Most of the repairs are complete ... except the boiler. Space heaters are keeping offices and the Parlor warm, but it's very cold everywhere else - including the sanctuary.
Here's where we are with things:
- We are grateful for the warm welcome (and warm sanctuary!) of our friends from All Saints' Episcopal Church where we're worshiping this Sunday. All choir rehearsal will also be held there.
- The final part we need likely won't be available until February 2025. (Insert sad trombone noise.)
- There's a possibility that we can "harvest" the part we need from another boiler. If that works, we'll be back in business soon.
- While we wait to see if we're a match with this organ donor, we're collecting quotes from temporary heating sources to prevent freeze damage and deterioration in the building AND hopefully bring the temperature up to a reasonable place so we can worship in our sanctuary again. (Our insurance will cover the cost of this rental to prevent future damage - hallelujah!)
We'll keep you posted!
ADVENT 2024
"Ad" means “to” and "vent" means “come.”
So, during the season of Advent, (the four Sundays leading up to Christmas), we:
- celebrate Jesus' first coming to earth (in the past);
- anticipate His second coming (in the future);
- AND (according to the mystic Bernard of Clairvaux) enjoy the THIRD coming of Jesus, which happens every day!
Our theme this year is "More Than Words," a worship resource developed by a group of pastors called Barn Geese Worship, and we're focusing on the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love in the sermons and as we light the candles on the Advent wreath.
More Than Words asserts that our Advent themes are, well, more than just words. Each theme begins and ends—like Advent itself—with God’s action. Hope, peace, joy, and love? These are the divine qualities of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, a daily "More Than Words" Advent devotional (large-print!) is available electronically and in printed copies from the church office. (Yes, we can mail a copy to you also.)
Pastor Allison has also put together a little guide for an Advent discipline of writing a particular kind of prayer called a "Collect" each day based on the book "Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love" by Padraig O Tuama, her favorite poet. (Sunday School class, this is coming your way especially!)
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Due to the lack of heat in the building, the Christmas dinner (scheduled for Sun, Dec 8) has been postponed.
We'll let you know when it's rescheduled.
GIVING TREE TAGS
Giving Tree Tags for children and families in need will be available from St. Francis Outreach.
Again this year, they don’t have lists from particular children; instead, they are recommending donations like blankets and personal care items.
Tags will be labeled with an item and the quantity to take home and shop for. Tags and items are due back to the church by Sun, Jan 5, and will be picked up on Sun, Jan 6. (Items don’t need to be wrapped.)
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Sate the date: 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 the Second Pres Chancel Choir, friends from the community choir, and a full orchestra of tri-state musicians.
NOTE: We hope our boiler situation is resolved in time to hold this at Second Pres, but we're also pursuing alternate locations, just in case.
Christmas Eve
Save the date: Tues, Dec 24 at 6:00 pm
Join us for a traditional Christmas Eve Worship with Christmas carols with choir and organ, "Silent Night" candles, and the sacrament of communion.
We are pleased to have brass accompaniment once again and to welcome harpist Tehya Hazelbaker for this service!
NOTE: Again, we hope our boiler situation is resolved in time to hold this at Second Pres, but we're also pursuing alternate locations, just in case.
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 150th anniversary Save the Date cards are ready! If you’d like to save us the cost of a stamp, please pick up your Save the Date card - located in the basket in the sanctuary. (They are alphabetized by last name.)
And maybe you could deliver one to a friend who doesn’t normally worship with us in the sanctuary …? (Extra cards are available, too, if you’d like to pass one along to someone who’s not on our list.)
hurricane helene hits southern oh - the clean-up begins
Coffee & Conversation & CINNAMON ROLLS!
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!
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!
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.)