Meditation on John 6:1-15 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY July 28, 2024 “A shoe factory sends two marketing scouts to a region of Africa to study the prospects for expanding business. One sends back a telegram saying, “SITUATION HOPELESS STOP NO ONE WEARS SHOES “The other writes back triumphantly, “GLORIOUS BUSINESSContinue reading ““Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?””
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Is Not This the Carpenter?
Meditation on Mark 6:1–13 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford July 7, 2024 (art by stushie, used with permission) I had this funny thought yesterday. What if I had stayed in York, Pennsylvania, and never accepted that first call to ministry in rural Minnesota? My ministry journey would have been completely changed.Continue reading “Is Not This the Carpenter?”
Living in the Calm
Meditation on Mark 4:35–41 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford June 30, 2024 What are you afraid of? What started out as a lighthearted conversation stirred some more serious thoughts later. Jim was picking up a bug with a napkin under the kitchen table yesterday—a bug that our cat, Liam, happened to beContinue reading “Living in the Calm”
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Sunday School
Meditation on Matthew 7:24-29 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford June 23, 2024 Sunday School Recognition Day Some years ago, Robert Fulghum had a best-selling book called, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Does anyone remember that book? I found a list of things he said that heContinue reading “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Sunday School”
Seed, Scattered and Sown
Message on Mark 4:26-34 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford June 16, 2024 I was happy to hear that everything went well with the gifts of children’s clothing and baby wipes and diapers at Smithtown’s homeless shelter while I was away. Thank you to all who gave these gifts for families in need,Continue reading “Seed, Scattered and Sown”
Send Me!
Meditation on Isaiah 6:1–8 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Trinity Sunday/Memorial Day Weekend May 26, 2024 I can’t remember the moment when I heard God calling me to parish ministry. I don’t think it was just one moment, actually, but rather a gradual illumination, a slow dawning, that this was God’sContinue reading “Send Me!”
The Secret of Happiness
Meditation on Ezekiel 37:1–14 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford May 19, 2024 Pentecost The title of my message today is, “The Secret of Happiness.” I would love to know, right now, before I start preaching, does anyone already know the secret of happiness? Have you found it? Do you want to shareContinue reading “The Secret of Happiness”
And He Was Carried Up into Heaven!
Meditation on Luke 24:44–53 Pastor Karen Crawford Ascension of Our Lord May 12, 2024 It’s so good to be back with my flock today—after being away two Sundays! It felt like a long time for me. I missed you so much. Thank you for your cards and calls! My eye surgeries went well. I amContinue reading “And He Was Carried Up into Heaven!”
“Keeper” of the Garden
Meditation on Genesis 2:4b-10, 15 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 21, 2024 Creation Care Sunday We hosted a funeral at the church yesterday. The service was not for a member but for someone with Smithtown family connections. Everything went smoothly. Special thanks to our volunteers who helped behind the scenes!Continue reading ““Keeper” of the Garden”
Meditation on Romans 8
In Memory of Gillette Dauphinot Piper First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 20, 2024 Gillette did not have an ordinary childhood. But how could she? She was born in 1941, a time that lives on in the American memory, the year Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, and our world would beContinue reading “Meditation on Romans 8”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 