Meditation on Leviticus 25:1-12 Creation Care Sunday Final Post: Tell Me About Your Garden Series First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 27, 2025 Listen to the devotion here: I am almost ready to plant my seedlings! The weather is still a little iffy, especially with nighttime temperatures dropping into theContinue reading “Healing, Rest, and Sabbath”
Tag Archives: god
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”
Spur
Tell Me About Your Garden Series Third Sunday in Lent Pastor Karen Crawford March 23, 2025 Many thanks to the 15 gardeners who opened their homes, hearts, and gardens to me and shared their stories as part of my doctoral project for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Listen to the devotion here: I transplanted my figContinue reading “Spur”
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”
What Does It Mean to Live Faithfully?
Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:4–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford November 17, 2024 This is my first year serving on the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. When the Nominating Committee called to invite me to serve, my first instinct was to say no. To say that I was reluctant is an understatement.Continue reading “What Does It Mean to Live Faithfully?”
Redemption in Christ Jesus!
Meditation on Romans 3:19–28 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Reformation Sunday Oct. 27, 2024 A couple of days ago, I checked my Facebook feed, and I saw a memorable 26-second video. A UPS driver is making a left turn at a busy intersection. Three wild turkeys step into the white lines ofContinue reading “Redemption in Christ Jesus!”
All Things Are Possible for God
Meditation on Mark 10:17-31 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Oct. 13, 2024 I lost a dear friend this week. Erma Ahrens was 104. Early Wednesday morning, her son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Lou Ann, called to tell me the story. The loss of Erma, and hearing the voices of sweet LouContinue reading “All Things Are Possible for God”
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”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 