FRANCKATHON: A dream come true!
On the final night of our Franckathon concert series celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of composer Cesar Franck, Dr. Stan Workman (our Director of Music) shared that a concert like this had been a dream of his for 40 years. And now, in his 30th year of being our Master of All Things Musical at Second Pres, we helped to make his dream come true.
We are incredibly grateful to the three other talented organists with Portsmouth ties who helped to make this dream come true by sharing their musical gifts with us: Dr. Douglas Leightenheimer; Dr. Jeremiah Martin; and Mr. Matt Bickett. We are also deeply grateful for the $1800+ that was donated over the course of these concerts to support our magnificent 1935 Kilgen organ through our Organ Preservation Fund.
Here are the links to the concerts:
Fri, July 29 Concert I https://youtu.be/KDhxU4Nsy80
Sat, July 30 Concert II https://youtu.be/PqnQDX4gD1M
Sun, July 31 Concert III https://youtu.be/5-jituNa-ig
Summer Sermon Series
A new summer sermon series will begin in worship on Sun, July 10 (9:30 a.m.) called, "Faces of Our Faith: Bold and Untold Stories." Pastor Allison is excited to explore some of the lesser known, more ordinary faith stories of our ancestors.
And perhaps along the way we'll be reminded of those who have been a "face of the faith" to us and even begin to see and understand our own personal faith story a little more clearly as well.
This series comes with a beautiful journal produced by "A Sanctified Art" (a group of pastors and artists) to accompany each week's story. The journal has 16 stories, but we'll only be reading 8: Adam & Eve; Shiphrah & Puah; the daughters of Zelophehad; Queen Vashti; Judas Iscariot; Joseph of Arimathea; Eutychus; and Philemon.
Copies of the journal will be avaialble in the sanctuary by the bulletins and can be mailed to folks who worship from afar - just contact the church office for more info.
Short Stories in Sunday School
On Sunday, July 10, we're beginning a new study of short stories called, "The Gift of Belonging: Finding the Back Roads Home" by Bradley Jon Gustafson.
Gustafson writes that these stories are born out of the "unremarkable gift" of a small black and white photograph that launched him down the back roads home again -- “for human hearts in search of connection there are no small nor insignificant moments.” (Pastor Allison loved it so much, she read it in one day!)
The stories are so short, we’ll read it out loud together and then think about what it says about home and belonging, two things that the world is hungry for these days. (One of the book reviewers says, “I’ve stopped reading with four stories to go; I don’t want the book to end.”)
Sometimes the holiest moments arrive in the most unremarkable ways.
FREE Advance Planning Seminar
On Tues, Aug 16 (10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m.), Second Pres is pleased to host 2 free workshops on advance funeral planning in conjuction with Daehler's Mortuary.
Daehler's director Kimberly O’Madden will explore questions of how advance funeral planning can help protect your loved ones and give them peace of mind.
And attorney Adrienne Buckler Callihan will explain legal tools like powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and health care directives. Not sure which is right for you? Let Adrienne help!
This is a FREE program, but space is limited, so reserve your spot now by calling 740-353-4146.
Seizure First Aid Training
QUESTION: What chronic disease affects more than 3.5 million people (3 million adults and 500,00 children) in the United States and is more common than autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease combined?
ANSWER: Epilepsy
Given how common Epilepsy is, do you know what to do if someone has a seizure near you?
Take advantage of our 2 FREE options for Seizure First Aid Training:
Sun, Aug 21 at 2:00 p.m. and Mon, Aug 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Knowing how to help someone during a seizure can make a difference and save a life.
While there are many different types of seizures, people who experience seizures may be confused, not aware of what is going on, or unconscious. A person could get hurt during a seizure, a seizure could last too long, or the seizures could cluster. Studies suggest that each year there are about 1.16 cases of SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy) for every 1,000 people with epilepsy (although estimates vary).
You CAN help, even save a life, if you know seizure first aid. For questions and to register, contact Rebecca at Second Pres: 740-353-4159 secondpres@yahoo.com
Help for Ukrainian Refugees
The motto of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program is "Out of chaos, hope."
We are always glad to support their efforts but especially as they provide an emergency response for millions of people fleeing their homes in the Ukraine.
To date, we have collected over $2000 that has be donated to PDA. If you'd like to add to this donation, please mail or drop off a check at the church or use our online giving service, putting "Ukraine" in the note box.
OPEN OFFICE HOURS
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.
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
A CHOICE-BASED FOOD PANTRY
We are grateful to all of our God's Pantry volunteers and donors for all their support during the COVID-19 pandemic!
God's Pantry is open on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Look for the sign near the entrance.
There are no income requirements for our pantry, and "points" to spend on food, household and cleaning items are determined by household size.
The Pantry is also accessible from the ramp entrance (facing the PHS track) with a chairlift from the first floor to the basement. Contact the church office to use this alternate entrance.
Emergency food is also available by contacting the office (740-353-4159) when the Pantry is not open. Other community resources are available here.
covid-19 update (02.20.22)
A letter from Pastor Allison
Dear Members & Friends of Second Pres,
I am so grateful that while our building was closed from March until June 2020, the ministry and mission of Second Presbyterian Church never stopped! We have found new ways to love God and our neighbors even during the COVID-19 pandemic - it's exactly what I think Jesus would want us to do.
Each month, our board of elders (called the "Session") re-evaluates our COVID-protocols. At their February meeting, they decided to move from mandating masks to strongly encouraging them throughout the building and resuming small coffee hours following Sunday worship. As always, these changes are subject to review and revision depending on what's happening in our life together.
We continue to provide Worship on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in multiple ways:
- In-person at 9:30 a.m. (Prelude begins at 9:25 a.m.)
- Live radio broadcast simultaneously on WIOI (106.7FM 1010AM)
- Livestream on the church's Facebook page
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!
Be of good courage & know that you are loved,
Pastor Allison
#wearamask #washyourhands #sayyourprayers