Category Archives: Uncategorized

Meditation on Genesis 12, 18, and 21, selected verses Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown June 18, 2023 We had the Sunday School picnic at the manse last Sunday. It was amazing! The weather was perfect. Many of the children, families, teachers, and children’s ministry leaders came and stayed several hours. We ateContinue reading “The Faith of Father Abraham”

Meditation on Matthew 9:9–13, 18–26 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Sunday School Appreciation and Recognition Day Pastor Karen Crawford June 11, 2023 It is good to be back, leading worship and sharing a message with my flock! I missed you! How have you been?  This past week, I traveled to Austin, TX, for my 4thContinue reading “One day, while eating with tax collectors and sinners”

Guest Speaker/Worship Leader: Dulcie Stoepker McLeod First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown June 4, 2023 I want to talk today about a set of triplets.  No, it’s not 3 children!  And it’s not the Trinity, although this is Trinity Sunday.  It’s the trio found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, verse 13: “SoContinue reading “Leaning into Hope”

Meditation on Acts 2:1-21 for Pentecost Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY May 28, 2023 My son left on a plane for Denver yesterday. He and I cleaned out his bedroom and packed three big suitcases and a couple of smaller ones. When we were done, all the suitcases were too heavyContinue reading “The Holy Spirit Has Come”

Meditation on Acts 1:6-14 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford May 21, 2023 Her name was Wilma. She was a member of my flock in Coshocton. And she was my friend. We became close during the pandemic in 2020. But our friendship started before then. We sang in the choir together, and weContinue reading ““Constantly Devoting Themselves to Prayer””

Meditation on Genesis 24, selected verses First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Mother’s Day May 14, 2023 I was juggling a journalism career and caring for three boys, the youngest of whom was in elementary school, when Jim and I met. He was a local pastor, and I had covered a Celtic worshipContinue reading “Finding a Wife for Isaac: Rebekah’s Story”

Meditation on John 14:1-14 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford May 7, 2023 Link to the full service with the baptism and message: https://fb.watch/koRrYaAnf-/ After so many days of cool, rainy weather, we enjoyed beautiful spring weather yesterday! Did anybody get to spend some time outside? When I came home yesterday from theContinue reading “A Place Prepared for You, A Place to Call Home”

Meditation on John 14:18-27 In Memory of Ora June Renesse’ First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford May 6, 2023 Ora June met Jean Renesse’ when she was 7 and in first grade at PS 197 in Brooklyn. Jean had terrible asthma and was held back a year. That’s how they ended up inContinue reading “My Peace I Give to You”

Meditation on John 10:1-10 April 30, 2023 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford I wanted to know more about the life of a shepherd. I wanted to better understand Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and his love for us—His sheep. So, on Friday, I watched “Heart Valley,” Christian Cargill’s documentary on a Welsh shepherdContinue reading ““I Am the Gate””

Meditation on Luke 24:13–35 Third Sunday of Easter First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 23, 2023 We honored the life of Karl Kraft on Thursday and witnessed to the Resurrection. Thank you to those who helped with that wonderful worship service – and the beautiful reception afterward. So many things wereContinue reading ““Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?””