Meditation on Acts 16:16-34 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Music Ministry Appreciation Sunday June 7, 2026 Who here likes to sing and make music for the Lord? Music has always been important to me—all my life. And I cannot imagine worship without singing and instrumental music! It just wouldn’t be theContinue reading “The Power of Music”
Tag Archives: faith
I Am with You Always
Meditation on Matthew 28:16–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford Trinity Sunday May 31, 2026 Any basketball fans here? Jim and I were watching the San Antonio Spurs play Oklahoma City Thunder last Sunday night. It was game 4 in the Western Conference Finals. He wanted the Spurs to win, but heContinue reading “I Am with You Always”
Podcast Episode: Easter Reflections And Unity
Pip: If you have ever wondered what it looks like when Easter refuses to stay in the past tense, you have come to the right podcast. Mara: This episode draws on a stretch of recent sermons from Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford, covering resurrection hope and what it means to be living stones, the shepherd’s voiceContinue reading “Podcast Episode: Easter Reflections And Unity”
Everyone!
Meditation on Acts 2:1-21 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pentecost May 24, 2026 I was at our presbytery offices in West Islip this week for a General Assembly training. I am one of two ministers of Word and Sacrament commissioned by the presbytery to go to GA in Milwaukee at theContinue reading “Everyone!”
That They May Be One
Meditation on John 17:1-11 The Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown May 17, 2026 I found out yesterday that May 6th through 12th was National Nurses Week. Maybe you knew that? It always corresponds with the birthday of Florence Nightingale—May 12, 1820. Do you know her amazing story? She was born inContinue reading “That They May Be One”
What About Mary?
Meditation onLuke 24:44-53 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Ascension Sunday May 10, 2026 (Mother’s Day) I wrote letters to our Irish relatives yesterday, thanking them for their hospitality while we visited a few weeks ago. As I wrote, I smiled as I remembered my conversation with cousins Margaret and Elizabeth aboutContinue reading “What About Mary?”
What Can Living Stones Do?
Meditation on John 14:1-14 and 1 Peter 2:2-10 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2026 We had our Presbytery meeting in Cutchogue yesterday. Been to Cutchogue? It was my first time. But the white church reminded me of many of the white wooden churches onContinue reading “What Can Living Stones Do?”
My Sheep Hear My Voice
Meditation on John 10:1-10 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown April 26, 2026 (Creation Care Sunday) Jim and I have returned from our visit to Jim’s family in Northern Island. We did have a good time, although it rained and was quite chilly for all but 3 days. But it’s as theContinue reading “My Sheep Hear My Voice”
Wounded Healer
Meditation on John 20:19-31 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown April 12, 2026 (Second Sunday of Easter) Have you been following Artemis II? NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years returned safely to Earth on Friday after completing its historic trip around the moon. The four-member crew successfully splashedContinue reading “Wounded Healer”
Falsely Accused
Meditation on Genesis 39 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown March 8, 2026 I have been thinking about struggle lately. And the role of struggle in our lives and in our journeys of faith. It’s hard enough when we are amidst our personal struggles, but it can be even harder, at times,Continue reading “Falsely Accused”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 