karenpts

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!”

Healing Stories: Let Me See Again

Message on Mark 10:46-52 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Fifth Sunday in Lent March 17, 2024 Yesterday, when we gathered for our Spring Beautification Day, I watched a man pulling weeds. Another man climbed a tall ladder to restore a spotlight on our cross. Young men and older cleared out oldContinue reading “Healing Stories: Let Me See Again”

God So Loved the World

Meditation on John 3:14-21 Pastor Karen Crawford March 10, 2024 We honored the life of Lois Netter yesterday. Our sanctuary was filled with family, friends, and our church family who came to give thanks to God for the gift of her life and remember how she touched our lives with her kindness, goodness, andContinue reading “God So Loved the World”

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Meditation on John 11: 1-6, 17-27 In Memory of Lois Netter Dec. 21, 1935 – March 2, 2024 Pastor Karen Crawford I find that I am still looking for Lois in the congregation. I look for her in her pew. I have looked for Lois every week in worship for a long time, probably sinceContinue reading “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

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”

A Season of Giving and Prayer

Meditation on Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Ash Wednesday Feb. 14, 2024 A few nights ago, I received the shocking news of an unexpected death of a friend. She had served as a Sunday School teacher for the youngest class at my congregation in Coshocton, Ohio, since herContinue reading “A Season of Giving and Prayer”

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”