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.)
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:
Good Friday worship
Many thanks to those who joined us for our Good Friday musical service. If you missed it or want to watch it again, you can find it HERE.
A Good AFriday musical worship service - "The Crucifixion - A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer" is an oratorio for soloists, choir, and organ, composed by prominent English composer, John Stainer, in 1887, with text by Anglican priest, W. J. Sparrow Simpson.
It is based on the traditional format of the great Passions of Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring a Biblical narrative interspersed with choruses, solos & duets, and hymns reflecting on the Passion story. The text consists of passages from the King James Bible, with poetic material written by Sparrow Simpson. "The Crucifixion" is regularly performed in the UK and is particularly known for its beautiful motet "God So Loved the World." The Second Pres Chancel Choir & Friends led this service with Dr. Stanley Workman playing the organ.
Thanks to Jarod Emerson, bass, and Justin Wiget, tenor, for being our soloists this evening.
Large-print bulletin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDCsL1nV85JKsg9JXFj7aHN0Xzb7B5N7/view?usp=sharing
Livestream link here:
"Walking with God" Prayer Walk
We’re “Walking with God” again on Sun, April 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.
We’re visiting the Scioto Heritage Trail at Earl Thomas Conley Park. (And having a post-walk lunch at the Buckeye Dairy Barn!) You can carpool with us or drive on your own.
(15888 US-52, West Portsmouth, OH 45663)
GAME NIGHT
Our next Game Night is scheduled for Fri, April 26 at 6:00 pm.
Bring a game and a snack to share! And if it's been a long week, just bring yourself - you're enough.
SSU Spring Choir Concert
On Sun, April 26 at 6:00 pm, we’re hosting the Shawnee State University Spring Choir Concert, directed by our own Dr. Stan Workman: “A Concert of Classic Sacred Anthems, from Bach to Rutter.”
As always, you’ll see many familiar faces from our choir loft in this concert, so we hope you will support them from the pews that night!
Service of Healing & Wholeness
Join us for a Service of Healing & Wholeness in worship on Sun, May 3 where you are invited to experience God’s presence in ways that feel most meaningful to you.
For the sermon, Pastor Allison will lead a lectio divina – a “holy reading” prayer reflection – during the sermon. After that, you can pray using the prayer stations in the front of the church or remaining in quiet reflection in the pews.
Hill View Hymn Sing
Our next Hill View Hymn Sing is scheduled for Sat, May 9 at 3 pm in the Fireplace Room.
Everyone is welcome to join Dr. Stan Workman at the piano and the Deacons to sing your favorite hymns with friends and members we don’t get to see very often.
Good Friday - "The Crucifixion"
Many thanks to those who joined us for our Good Friday musical service. If you missed it, you can watch it HERE.
"The Crucifixion - A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer" is an oratorio for soloists, choir, and organ, composed by prominent English composer, John Stainer, in 1887, with text by Anglican priest, W. J. Sparrow Simpson.
It is based on the traditional format of the great Passions of Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring a Biblical narrative interspersed with choruses, solos & duets, and hymns reflecting on the Passion story. The text consists of passages from the King James Bible, with poetic material written by Sparrow Simpson. "The Crucifixion" is regularly performed in the UK and is particularly known for its beautiful motet "God So Loved the World."
The Second Pres Chancel Choir & Friends led this service with Dr. Stanley Workman at the organ.
Thanks to Jarod Emerson, bass, and Justin Wiget, tenor, for being our soloists.
YouTube link:
https://youtube.com/live/UuBAL_9FHeo
Large-print bulletin:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDCsL1nV85JKsg9JXFj7aHN0Xzb7B5N7/view?usp=sharing
Coffee & Conversation
The Coffee & Conversation group (folks from Second and other churches) meets at 10 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.