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.)
Worship - Sun, April 28 (9:30 a.m.)
"Laying down our lives for others." Jesus did it for us on the cross, literally.
But what if we're not soldiers or police officers? How can the rest of us lay down our lives for others?
How can we as a CHURCH lay down our communal life for the sake of loving others?
Worship - Sun, March 31 (9:30 a.m.)
Easter Sunday - a Resurrection celebration!
("Stealthy Joy" + a Cheez Doodle surprise!)
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.
Pastor Thayer Wallace and our friends from Central Church Portsmouth have set up and begun distributing new socks 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.
Fri, March 8, 2024 is the one-year anniversary of our partnership between God's Pantry and Central Church's socks and shoes ministry!
We're grateful for this partnership as we serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
An Arbor Day Game Night celebration (since we like to have a holiday theme!)
Also, Pastor Allison is declaring this CARD GAME/TACO BAR NIGHT!
Let her know if you’d like to provide a taco topping.
(Also, non-card games are OK to play too!)
Join us on Mon, May 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hill View fireplace room (just outside the dining room) for a time of worship and fellowship!
Speical thanks to the Deacons and Dr. Stan Workman for providing this time of worship and fellowship as we gather with friends we don’t get to see very often to sing some of our favorite hymns!
It is with great disappointment that this year’s Critter Encounter, scheduled for May 11th, has been cancelled.
Due to an increase in costs nearly doubling the original estimates and some last-minute schedule changes among our partners, we have to cancel.
We are grateful for all of your support to date, and rest assured that we are working diligently to bring this event back next year!
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)
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 most recent check from Kroger (Jan 2024) was for $154.79 from 30 households - that's an increase in both the amount AND number of households from last quarter! (Thank you!)
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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