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:
Father's Day
We invite all the fellows worshiping in the service on Sun, June 21 to take home a Slim Jim (or 2) from the vases by the bulletins!
10 Year Anniversary UPDATE
We are grateful for 10 years with Pastor Allison who arrived in Portsmouth in April of 2016. To celebrate, we had an "un-surprise" party in May.
We also set a goal to raise $1,500 to cover one loan payment for the building’s exterior restoration and preservation work (completed in 2023).
And we are pleased to announce that as of Thurs, June 18, we have raised $3430.61 toward our $1500 goal - that's 2+ months of loan payments!
We, especially Pastor Allison, are grateful for your generosity!
Faith + Mental Health Book Study
Join us for a discussion of "Try Softer" by Aundi Kolber, a book that gently explores the intersection of faith, mental health, and the stories we carry in our bodies.
Wednesdays at 6:00 pm (in the parlor)
NOTE: No gathering on Weds, June 24.
1. Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything “right,” but still feel overwhelmed or exhausted?
2. Have you ever found yourself “white-knuckling” your way through life, only to realize that stops working after a while?
3. Have you ever felt like your faith should be helping more than it is?
If you’re tired of feeling like the answer to every problem or question is that you should "just try harder," you’re not alone.
Sometimes growth comes not by pushing harder but from learning to pay attention to your body, your limits, and the ways God sees you, hears you, and meets you in difficult places. "Try Softer: A fresh approach to move us out of anxiety, stress, and survival mode and into a life of connection and joy" by Aundi Kolber (M.A., L.P.C.)
Game Night
Our next Game Night is scheduled for Fri, June 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor.
Bring a game and a snack to share! Or, if it's been a long week, just bring yourself - you're enough.
Upcoming game night: Fri, July 24
P.S. Someone went to Jungle Jim's and brought home an interesting variety of chips from around the world for this game night. Vote on your favorite!
Faith-Based Suicide Prevention
From Tues, June 22 through Fri, June 26, Second Pres is hosting a Soul Shop train-the-trainer event.
Participants from around southern Ohio are gathering to learn how to teach faith-based suicide prevention training from Soul Shop trainers. (They will be meeting in the Parlor.)
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 despair and isolation.
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.
Learn more about Soul Shop here:
Independence Day Celebration
Mark your calendars: Our Independence Day worship service is scheduled for Sun, July 5 (9:30 a.m.).
The choir will gather again for special music along with guest musicians. Pastor Lisa Eye and our friends from First Pres will join us for this service as we share communion, and we’ll enjoy lunch together in the dining room following the service.
Walking With God
On Sun, June 14, following worship we "walked with God" at the Shawnee Natural Center Trail in the Shawnee Forest. After, we sat on benches and shared two words to describe our prayer time. "Calming" and "peaceful" were among the most popular answers.
If you haven't tried prayer walking, maybe it's time?
Our next "Walking with God" is scheduled for Sun, July 12, following worship.
This prayer walk (not hike!) is intended to help regulate overstimulated nervous systems and pay holy attention to God through prayer together in silence in the great outdoors.
This time, we’re exploring the Knighton Trail, known for its wildflowers, mushrooms, and views of Turkey Creek Lake. Head towards the Lodge (4404B OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663), park near the beach, and look for the trailhead. (This is an out-and-back trail, so we’re going to pray 20 minutes out and then come back.)
Summer Worship Series
This summer, our worship series, A story of ..., will follow the stories of Abraham’s family from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A).
These stories are filled with unexpected callings, complicated relationships, surprising grace, and the persistent presence of God in the midst of ordinary life.
Alongside the series, a weekly devotional from A Sanctified Art will be available, featuring visual art, written reflections, and spiritual practices to deepen our journey through these sacred stories together.
(These are free and will be available with the bulletins. They’re beautiful, large-print, and have plenty of room to write and doodle!)
BONUS: a preview Bible Study of next week’s story in Sunday School the week before! This is your chance for a sneak peek, to give your thoughts and ask your questions, AND to see how Pastor Allison's sermon plan changes (or not) based on a conversation with you! That should make the post-mortem after the service very interesting ...
Bible Study sermon post-mortem begins on Sun, July 21.
Summer Sacred Concert Music Series - Scioto Catholic Parish
You can see our favorite organists performing in the Summer Sacred Music Series (2:00 p.m.) hosted by St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish!
Sun, June 21 (Holy Redeemer)
Dr. Douglas Leightenheimer
Sun, July 19 (St. Mary's)
Dr. Jeremiah Martin
Sun, Aug 16 (Holy Redeemer)
Our own Dr. Stan Workman
Sun, Sept 13 (St. Mary's)
Patrick Torsell (Parish Director of Sacred Music)
Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic
In July, we are partnering with the Animal Welfare League of Scioto County to sponsor another R.A.S.C.A.L. mobile spay/neuter clinic for fixed and low-income families with cats and dogs.
Registration is Sat, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m,. and surgery day is Weds, July 1.
(The mobile unit houses the surgeries, and the animals wait and recover in the church.)
Cats range from $35-$55, dogs start at $70, and $10 rabies shot is added to each spay or neuter. Bring proof of fixed or low income when registration.
For questions or more information, call 740-858-2446 or 740-858-4213.
Coffee & Conversation
The Coffee & Conversation group (folks from Second and other churches) meets at 10:00 a.m. 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 - stop by and say hi!
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!
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
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
There are no words to describe the experience of this year's Lessons & Carols. 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.