Category Archives: Uncategorized

Meditation on Romans 8:31-39 In Memory of Karl Kraft Oct. 25, 1929-April 7, 2023 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford April 20, 2023 Karl and Ethel’s first date was a double date with her friend Betty Taylor going with a friend of Karl’s. They met at Jimmy Mullaly’s ice cream place for iceContinue reading “What Can Separate Us from God’s Love?”

Meditation on John 20:19–31 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 16, 2023 Link to a recording of the live-streamed service, with the message: https://fb.watch/j__hG-T6J0/ I was outside working in the yard yesterday morning. I was planting! That’s my favorite thing to do in the yard. Kathleen and Margaret Cowie gave meContinue reading “Do Not Doubt, But Believe!”

Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY April 11, 2023 Audio of “Reflections on a Lenten Wildlife Series” Serenade of the Song Sparrow Outside my small cabin hidden among the birch and pines on a northern Minnesota bluff a song sparrow opens the dawn with the first of an all-day serenade. Cheerful andContinue reading “Reflections on a Lenten Wildlife Series”

Meditation on John 20:1–18 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 9, 2023: Easter Sunday Pastor sharing her message: Are there any Star Trek fans here? Any Trekkies? I’m not a fan. I can’t believe I am saying that in public. Not a fan of the original series that lasted 3 seasons,Continue reading “The Gardener”

Meditation for Maundy Thursday First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 6, 2023 Audio of Pastor Karen’s message: No one loves puffins more than the people who live on Heimaey (Hay MAH’ ee), a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland. Cheryl Katz writes of their loving care of baby puffinsContinue reading “Known By Our Love”

Meditation on Matthew 21:1-11 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Palm Sunday: April 2, 2023 Pastor Karen Crawford Audio of Pastor sharing her message: Today—another first for me with my flock here in Smithtown. We entered our worship today in a procession from the parish hall, carrying our palm branches, singing a song of praiseContinue reading ““Hosanna to the Son of David!””

Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Lenten Devotion March 31, 2023 Audio of this Lenten Devotion:   My family and I moved to the North Shore of Long Island last spring. We quickly discovered that the clergy who lived in the house at 3 Oakfield before us were breaking the law. They hadContinue reading “White-Tailed Deer”

Meditation on John 11, Selected verses Fifth Sunday in Lent First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford March 26, 2023 Audio file of Pastor Karen sharing her message:  So many people came to our church beautification day yesterday! Thank you to all who came and worked! We gathered with a shared mission—to clean andContinue reading “Unbind Him and Let Him Go!”

Lenten Devotion Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY March 2023 Audio of Pastor sharing this devotion: “See! the chickens round the gateFor their morning portion wait;Fill the basket from the store,Let us open wide the door;Throw out crumbs and scatter seed,Let the hungry chickens feed.” [1]                                                                                                         —The Chickens by D.A.T. IContinue reading “Chickens at the Post Office!”

Meditation on John 9: 1-25 & 35-38 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Fourth Sunday in Lent: March 19, 2023 Pastor sharing her message: They showed up one late afternoon, unannounced, when my husband, Jim, and I came back from a leisurely walk. A cloud of black shapes had gathered in theContinue reading ““Lord, I Believe!””