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:
250 Acts of Kindness
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!
To celebrate our nation's 250th birthday, we set a goal to collect 250 items for military care packages through Josh
Stewart and his Air Force classmates.
Thanks to your donations, we faaaar exceeded our 250-item goal and were able to send 28 care packages to San Marcos, TX.
From Joshua H. Stewart 2d Lt. USAF:
Attached are pictures of my entire class and some individuals who were willing to send selfies. Thank you all so much for these wonderful care packages. I can honestly say everyone was absolutely floored at how much was packed into each one and it all being things we need and use. I saw so many faces light up when I told them a church from my hometown wanted to do something nice for us and that everyone was getting a care package. We truly appreciate you all and are so grateful to have your prayers and support from over 1,200 miles away. We'll continue to "Aim High" and protect the wonderful freedoms that we're so blessed to have. 🇺🇸🛩️
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PipeScreams Organ Spooktacular
Join us for our annual Halloween “Spooktacular" concert featuring fabulous organists and a host of other performers who will make this an unforgettable evening featuring our beloved organ, "Ma Kilgen."
Fri, Oct 30, 7:00 pm
Second Presbyterian Church (Portsmouth, OH)
This concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
A Sunday to Return
“A Sunday to Return: Starting a New Season Together” (Sun, Sept 13)
The choir returned to lead worship.
Our choral scholars returned to the choir.
And we blessed all the students and educators who returned to their classrooms in this Healing & Wholeness Service.
Watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/OwxUigwAAcA?si=5i8uPWtiAhtxBcZI.
(No matter how long you've been gone, you can return any Sunday - here or somewhere else.)
Feed the Choir
In high school, they "feed the team."
At Second Pres, we want to "feed the choir!"
We hope to feed the choir before rehearsal on Wednesdays once a month - if you want to be a part of that or sponsor a meal, talk to Suzie Hunter.
Online Gathering
A PODCAST CLUB experiment - especially for our YouTube worshipers!
(Others are welcome too :-)
4 podcasts (food trucks, movie sound effects, "How to Clean Your House Without Losing Your Mind" + one more ...)
4 Zoom discussions
Beginning the week of Sept 21
If we like it, we'll do it again.
If we don't, we'll never speak of it again.
Who wants to know more?
Contact the church office (740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com) or talk to Pastor Allison.
Hearts & Minds
Hearts & Minds is a new initiative in Scioto County – a gathering of congregations who are concerned for and want to support the mental health of their members and friends, ministering to minds and bodies through faith and science.
Pastor Allison and Tracey Henderson from Second Pres are 2/3 of the leadership for this initiative, which is connected to the Community Health Improvement Plan led by the City and County Health Departments.
If you’re curious about this new project, consider this your invitation to our very first meeting on Mon, Sept 21 at 6:30 pm here at Second Pres!
Game Night
Join us for our next Game Night on Fri, Sept 25 at 6:00 pm in the Parlor.
This is a low-stakes way to socialize where you mostly talk about the game you're playing, not small talk.
Bring a game and a snack to share. Or, if it's been a busy week, just bring yourself - you're enough.
10th Anniversary - Choral Scholars Program
We are pleased to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Choral Scholars program here at Second Presbyterian Church in 2026!
We have benefited greatly from the many college students (now up to 25!) who have shared their musical talents and presence in choir rehearsals, worship services, special musical events, and in times of fellowship.
As we move into the upcoming school year/choir season, we want to express our gratitude, not only for these participants, but for the positive, ongoing support the congregation has extended for this vital program.
We are excited to welcome back continuing and future participants in our Choral Scholars Program!
Active Parenting Classes
The Garden Advocacy Center (Chillicothe, OH) is a non-profit organization offering Active Parenting classes at Second Pres on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the Parlor.
The Active Parenting Program is designed to give families the tools, support, and confidence to raise responsible, respectful, and resilient children.
It teaches how to build strong relationships, set clear limits, manage challenging behaviors, and make family life overall more enjoyable.
The class is designed for parents/caregivers of 5-12 year-olds, but the material is certainly appropriate for parents/caregivers of children under 5 who want to be prepared and for those looking for help parenting teenagers.
Session 1: The ActiVe Parent - what does it mean?
Session 2: Cooperation and Communication
Session 3: Responsibility and Discipline
Session 4: Building Courage and Self-Esteem
Session 5: Understanding and Redirecting Misbehavior
Session 6: Active Parenting for School Success
You can attend one class that cathes your interest or all 6 to earn a certficate of completion.
Faith-Based Suicide Prevention
This summer, Second Pres hosted a Soul Shop train-the-trainer event.
Participants from around southern Ohio (including Pastor Allison) learned how to teach suicide prevention training for the faith community from Soul Shop trainers. (We now have 3 in Scioto County.)
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 desperation and loss of social connection
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.We can make a difference.
Learn more about Soul Shop here:
https://www.soulshopmovement.org/
And if you'd like to particiate in a 90-minute training for communities or the very thorough 8-hour training, please contact Pastor Allison: secondpres@yahoo.com or 740-353-4159.
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!
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
There are no words to describe the experience of our most recent Lessons & Carols service in December 2025. 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.
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