Meditation on John 14:18-27 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford In Memory of Palma Courtney March 22, 1931 – May 31, 2025 Palma DiMilia Courtney was born on the second day of spring in 1931 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her parents were Josephine and Angelo, immigrants from southern Italy. These were the daysContinue reading ““I will not leave you orphaned””
Tag Archives: christianity
She Was Listening with Her Heart
Meditation on Acts 16:9-15 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford May 25, 2025 Last weekend was a whirlwind of activities, beginning with a long travel day on Friday to Austin, TX, due to weather-related delays. Jim and I finally arrived at our hotel at 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday. Later that day,Continue reading “She Was Listening with Her Heart”
Casting on the Right Side
Meditation on John 21:1–19 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Rev. Karen Crawford May 4, 2025 Art by Stushie, used with permission. Listen to the devotion here: Memories are a funny thing, aren’t they? They come in flashes, when we are least expecting them. That happened to me yesterday at the presbytery meeting inContinue reading “Casting on the Right Side”
Palms
Meditation on John 12:12-19 Tell Me About Your Garden Series Palm Sunday First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 13, 2025 Listen to the devotion here: On Monday, though the weather was cold and rainy, I was outside pruning vines and ornamental grasses. Like weeding, pruning is one of those garden tasksContinue reading “Palms”
Bread
Meditation on Exodus 16, selected verses, and Luke 4:1-13 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday in Lent March 9, 2025 Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, let me stand I am tired, I am weak, I am worn Through the storm, Through the night, Lead me on toContinue reading “Bread”
What’s Important
Meditation on John 14 In Memory of Matthew John Kutil May 29, 1966-March 4, 2025 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY March 10, 2025 Matthew Kutil was the best softball player our church team ever had. Coach John Agostini said Matthew won championships for us. He never did anything halfway.Continue reading “What’s Important”
Christmas Moments
Meditation on Luke 2:1–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Christmas Eve: Dec. 24, 2024 Does everyone have their Christmas trees decorated? This is the first time in many years that I haven’t put up a large Christmas tree! We only have a small artificial tree on a table in our entranceContinue reading “Christmas Moments”
Comfort, O Comfort My People
Meditation on Luke 3:1-6 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Second Sunday of Advent Dec. 8, 2024 I took my cat, Liam, to the vet this week. It was time for his yearly exam and rabies’ shot. I worried how I would get him into his cat carrier, which has so many memoriesContinue reading “Comfort, O Comfort My People”
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Meditation on Luke 21:25–36 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday of Advent Dec. 1, 2024 I like figs. Do you like figs? In a tryout sermon, years ago on the First Sunday of Advent, I shared a children’s message about the lesson of the fig tree. I brought fig newtons forContinue reading “The Lesson of the Fig Tree”
The God Who Weeps and Wipes Away Our Tears
Mediation on John 11:32–44 and Revelation 21:1-6a First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford All Saints’ Sunday November 3, 2024 On Halloween, we gave out candy to Trick-or-Treaters. Maybe we had about a dozen children come in costumes. Did anyone have more Trick-or-Treaters come to your door? I always enjoy it when theContinue reading “The God Who Weeps and Wipes Away Our Tears”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 