February 2026 – Sharing God's Love and Grace

Consider the Lilies

Meditation on Matthew 6:25-34 for the Women’s Retreat First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford Feb. 28, 2026 I think I have been an anxious person my entire life. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t anxious. My parents have told me that I was anxious even as a baby. They couldContinue reading “Consider the Lilies”

Joseph and His Brothers

Meditation on Genesis 37:1-11 for First Sunday in Lent First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Dr. Karen E. Crawford Feb. 22, 2026 Yesterday was a beautiful day. Did anyone get out for a walk? If I didn’t know better, I might think that spring is right around the corner. I heard the cardinals singing, “Cheer,Continue reading “Joseph and His Brothers”

Holy Dust!

Meditation for Ash Wednesday Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Feb. 18, 2026 Yesterday, I was feeling especially grateful and the Lord brought one of my seminary professors to mind. I had seen the announcement of his retirement. But I wondered what became of him. I haven’t seen him since my graduationContinue reading “Holy Dust!”

The Gospel of Matthew for Lent/Easter

Rev. Dr. Karen E. Crawford In 2010, Tom Wright, New Testament Scholar and the former Bishop of Durham and Lord Spiritual in the UK Parliament, was asked to write a guidebook for “The Big Read.” The ecumenical project in Lent and Eastertide involved encouraging people to read through the gospel of Luke. Wright wrote aContinue reading “The Gospel of Matthew for Lent/Easter”

Listen to Him

Meditation on Matthew 17:1-9 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Transfiguration Sunday Feb. 15, 2026 Are you watching the Olympics? What’s your favorite event? Skating is my favorite winter sport. Although, it was difficult to watch the men’s figure skating Friday night. Who saw it? The one who won the gold wasContinue reading “Listen to Him”

You Are Salt and Light!

Meditation on Matthew 5:13-20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford Feb. 8, 2026 She was born into slavery in Swartekill, NY, around 1797. We don’t know the exact date. She was called Isabella at birth, but the world wouldn’t know her by that name. She spoke only Dutch as a child.[1]She neverContinue reading “You Are Salt and Light!”

Fishers of People!

Meditation on Matthew 4:12–23 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford Feb. 1, 2026 Jim and I watched a heartwarming movie yesterday. It was a 2019 biographical drama called, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Have you seen it? It was inspired by a 1998 Esquire article by Tom Junod, “Can You Say….Hero?”Continue reading “Fishers of People!”