karenpts

Amazing Children of the Bible Series: David

Meditation on 1 Samuel 17:12-47 The Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 26, 2026 I enjoyed my birthday week—having ice cream, going out to lunch, and going on a two-hour lighthouse cruise with Jim, leaving from Orient Point. I received emails, texts, Facebook messages, cards, and phone calls, including one fromContinue reading “Amazing Children of the Bible Series: David”

Samuel

Amazing Children of the Bible Series Meditation on 1 Samuel 3 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 19, 2026 I was blessed to meet the Rev. Bill Hoffman this week and hear the story of his ministry. Bill is retiring from Montauk Community Church at the end of this month andContinue reading “Samuel”

Miriam

Amazing Children of the Bible Series Meditation on Exodus 1:8-2:10 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 12, 2026 It hasn’t yet been two weeks since I returned from our denomination’s 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee. I am still processing much of what happened there. But today, I would like to shareContinue reading “Miriam”

Celebrating Our Country’s 250th Anniversary

Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 5, 2026 You are not going to hear the story of Miriam today! Lord willing, you will hear all about Miriam next Sunday as I begin my series on Amazing Children of the Bible. On this weekend, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of theContinue reading “Celebrating Our Country’s 250th Anniversary”

Should We Continue in Sin?

Meditation on Romans 5:8 – 6:11 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY June 21, 2026 Tom Michell was taking a walk by the sea, on holiday at Punte Del Este in Uruguay, when he saw the penguins washed up on the sand. It was a dreadful sight, he says in hisContinue reading “Should We Continue in Sin?”

The Harvest Is Plentiful

Meditation on Matthew 9:35–10:8 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford June 14, 2026 A 4-year-old boy in a wheelchair handed me a thank you note last Sunday. His nana had written the words, “Thank you” and “Love, Grayson.” The boy had provided a rainbow of colors with orange, green, purple, and yellowContinue reading “The Harvest Is Plentiful”

The Power of Music

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”

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!”