karenpts

Send Me!

Meditation on Isaiah 6:1–8 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Trinity Sunday/Memorial Day Weekend May 26, 2024 I can’t remember the moment when I heard God calling me to parish ministry. I don’t think it was just one moment, actually, but rather a gradual illumination, a slow dawning, that this was God’sContinue reading “Send Me!”

The Secret of Happiness

Meditation on Ezekiel 37:1–14 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford May 19, 2024 Pentecost The title of my message today is, “The Secret of Happiness.” I would love to know, right now, before I start preaching, does anyone already know the secret of happiness? Have you found it? Do you want to shareContinue reading “The Secret of Happiness”

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!”

“Keeper” of the Garden

Meditation on Genesis 2:4b-10, 15 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 21, 2024 Creation Care Sunday We hosted a funeral at the church yesterday. The service was not for a member but for someone with Smithtown family connections. Everything went smoothly. Special thanks to our volunteers who helped behind the scenes!Continue reading ““Keeper” of the Garden”

Meditation on Romans 8

In Memory of Gillette Dauphinot Piper First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 20, 2024 Gillette did not have an ordinary childhood. But how could she? She was born in 1941, a time that lives on in the American memory, the year Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, and our world would beContinue reading “Meditation on Romans 8”

“Have You Anything to Eat?”

Meditation on Luke 24:36b-48 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford April 14, 2024 I have a scar on my left wrist that is almost as old as I am. There’s a story behind every scar, isn’t there? I was thinking the other day how there’s only one person left in the worldContinue reading ““Have You Anything to Eat?””

What Do You Need to Believe?

Meditation on John 20:19–31 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Second Sunday of Easter April 7, 2024 Where were you on Friday when Long Island experienced an earthquake? Did you know it was an earthquake, right away? The earthquake we felt this past Friday, April 5, was a magnitude 4.8 at itsContinue reading “What Do You Need to Believe?”

Who Will Roll Away the Stone for Us?

Meditation on Mark 16:1-8 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 Pastor Karen Crawford In January, 1997, the French Coast Guard transmitted its final message in Morse Code: “Calling all, this is our last cry before eternal silence.” [1] “Ships in distress had radioed out dits and dahs fromContinue reading “Who Will Roll Away the Stone for Us?”

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”

Hosanna!

Meditation on Mark 11:1–11 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Palm Sunday March 24, 2024 I am so glad the rain has passed! Especially for our Egg Hunt and the children’s sake! On Friday afternoon, the weather was clear and cool. Not a cloud in the sky. Needing a break from theContinue reading “Hosanna!”