Meditation on John 11:17-27 In Memory of Harriet Yost October 8, 1931-September 19, 2024 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Harriet Yost was a middle child before psychologists were talking about middle child syndrome—you know, the quiet child that is overlooked, excluded or neglected because of their birth order. That wasn’t Harriet!Continue reading “I Am the Resurrection”
Tag Archives: jesus
Who Is the Greatest?
Meditation on Mark 9:30–37 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Sept. 22, 2024 Our presbytery met at Shelter Island yesterday. Jim and I sat near the back of the old white church, next to the Rev. Candace Whitman, my former seminary classmate, and in front of the Rev. Emily Fowler, pastor ofContinue reading “Who Is the Greatest?”
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”
And He Was Carried Up into Heaven!
Meditation on Luke 24:44–53 Pastor Karen Crawford Ascension of Our Lord May 12, 2024 It’s so good to be back with my flock today—after being away two Sundays! It felt like a long time for me. I missed you so much. Thank you for your cards and calls! My eye surgeries went well. I amContinue reading “And He Was Carried Up into Heaven!”
If You Have Love for One Another
Meditation on John chapter 13 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford March 28, 2024 Maundy Thursday I woke up Tuesday morning to discover the Francis Scott Key Bridge was no more. Being a Maryland native and having lived in Baltimore for a number of years while I was studying to be a teacher,Continue reading “If You Have Love for One Another”
Healing Stories: Stand Up, Take Your Mat, and Walk
Meditation on Mark 2:1-12 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford March 3, 2024: Third Sunday in Lent My husband, Jim, has rejoined us for worship today. He drove himself to church. He has come a long way since his knee replacement surgery in January. Since then, we have had family and friends helpContinue reading “Healing Stories: Stand Up, Take Your Mat, and Walk”
Healing Stories: Healing on the Way to Healing
Meditation on Mark 5:21–43 Pastor Karen Crawford Second Sunday in Lent Feb. 25, 2024 Listen to the message through this link: Our gospel reading today touches me deeply, in a personal way. There is so much I could say about this passage. What is on my heart is that what is said will help someoneContinue reading “Healing Stories: Healing on the Way to Healing”
Healing Stories: In the Wilderness
Meditation onMark 1:9-15 (Pastor) First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday in Lent Feb. 18, 2024 It was like a winter wonderland walking around the neighborhood yesterday. The trees and shrubs were blanketed with freshly fallen snow. There was a moment when the sun pushed through the clouds and everything sparkled!Continue reading “Healing Stories: In the Wilderness”
Up a High Mountain with Jesus
Meditation on Mark 9:2–9 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Feb. 11, 2024 I was at home preparing my message yesterday, when I felt a longing to be on the mountaintop with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. “What was that like?” I wondered, from the comfort of my second-floor office withContinue reading “Up a High Mountain with Jesus”
My Peace I Leave with You
Meditation on John 14:1-7, 15-18, 25-27 In Memory of Zena “Sue” Nunziata November 9, 1934 – December 27, 2023 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY I didn’t remember her name was “Zena” on my first visit to Sue at St. James Rehab, more than a year ago. Wearing a clerical collar, holdingContinue reading “My Peace I Leave with You”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 