Uncategorized – Page 10 – Sharing God's Love and Grace

Healing Stories: Healing on the Way to Healing

Meditation on Mark 5:21–43 Pastor Karen Crawford Second Sunday in Lent Feb. 25, 2024 Listen to the message through this link: Our gospel reading today touches me deeply, in a personal way. There is so much I could say about this passage. What is on my heart is that what is said will help someoneContinue reading “Healing Stories: Healing on the Way to Healing”

Healing Stories: In the Wilderness

Meditation onMark 1:9-15 (Pastor) First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday in Lent Feb. 18, 2024 It was like a winter wonderland walking around the neighborhood yesterday. The trees and shrubs were blanketed with freshly fallen snow. There was a moment when the sun pushed through the clouds and everything sparkled!Continue reading “Healing Stories: In the Wilderness”

A Season of Giving and Prayer

Meditation on Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Ash Wednesday Feb. 14, 2024 A few nights ago, I received the shocking news of an unexpected death of a friend. She had served as a Sunday School teacher for the youngest class at my congregation in Coshocton, Ohio, since herContinue reading “A Season of Giving and Prayer”

Up a High Mountain with Jesus

Meditation on Mark 9:2–9 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Feb. 11, 2024 I was at home preparing my message yesterday, when I felt a longing to be on the mountaintop with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. “What was that like?” I wondered, from the comfort of my second-floor office withContinue reading “Up a High Mountain with Jesus”

Healing Stories: Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Others

Meditation on Mark 1:29–39 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Feb. 4, 2024 Everything is going well with Jim’s healing journey. Thank you for your prayers, cards, and words of encouragement. People have given me good advice about “caring for the caregiver.” The reality is that it just isn’t possible for everyContinue reading “Healing Stories: Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Others”

What Is This?!

Meditation on Mark 1:21–28 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford January 28, 2024 It was pouring rain, dark, and foggy when we drove to South Shore University Hospital in Bayshore on Thursday morning. We left the house at 5:36 a.m. It had been for me a night of mostly staring into the darkness,Continue reading “What Is This?!”

Fishers of People!

Meditation on Mark 1:14–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Jan. 21, 2024 I’m back! It’s good to be home with my flock. How have you been? Traveling to Austin was, once again, an adventure. It was sleeting on the morning I left from MacArthur Airport. I couldn’t see out my window onContinue reading “Fishers of People!”

My Peace I Leave with You

Meditation on John 14:1-7, 15-18, 25-27 In Memory of Zena “Sue” Nunziata November 9, 1934 – December 27, 2023 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY I didn’t remember her name was “Zena” on my first visit to Sue at St. James Rehab, more than a year ago. Wearing a clerical collar, holdingContinue reading “My Peace I Leave with You”

Mary Treasured All These Words, Pondered Them in Her Heart

Meditation on Luke 2:1–20 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 2023 I have to ask. Who here also came to our morning worship service? Thanks for coming back! I have to make a confession. When I woke up this morning, my head wasn’t connected to my body. I hadContinue reading “Mary Treasured All These Words, Pondered Them in Her Heart”

What the Angel Didn’t Say

Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 2023 In Nazareth today, two separate holy sites commemorate the annunciation. Sometimes more than one holy site commemorates the same event because two different communities claim their stretch of land is the place where a givenContinue reading “What the Angel Didn’t Say”