Author Archives: karenpts

Meditation on Mark 13:24–37 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday of Advent Dec. 3, 2023 I was on my way to visit a member of my flock on Thursday, when I started thinking about time. I was using a GPS app called WAZE on my phone. I almost always use WAZEContinue reading “Keep Awake!”

Meditation on Colossians 3:12-17 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Nov. 19, 2023 I had the joy of presiding over an outdoor wedding in Sayville on Friday. More than 200 people came. The bridal party included 8 women and 8 men, plus children: an 8-year-old ringbearer named Anthony; two flower boys- 4-year-old OliverContinue reading “And Be Thankful!”

Meditation on Matthew 25:1–13 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Nov. 12, 2023 Our Confirmation class went to worship for Shabbat at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook on Friday night. Jim and I arrived early. We were met at the door by security guards who asked us why we had come. The guardsContinue reading “Give Us Some of Your Oil”

Connecting the Faithful of First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford

Meditation on  1 John 3:1–3 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Nov. 5, 2023 All Saints Sunday I remember having a meal with my father. We were at a restaurant in Maryland. I had a cheese omelet and a bagel, though it was dinner, not breakfast. I was living in the Baltimore areaContinue reading “We Are All God’s Children Now”

Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY

Meditation on John 8:31–36 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Reformation Sunday: Oct. 29, 2023 A few days ago, I took the right hands of my son, James, and his bride, Andrea, and prayed over the rings they would place on each other’s fingers. I began to speak the words that James andContinue reading “Free, Indeed!”

Meditation on Philippians 4:1–9 (Pastor) First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Oct. 15, 2023 My son, Jacob, reached out to me by text message yesterday. “Hey, Mom. Can I call?” Jacob moved to Colorado over Memorial Day Weekend. He had been living with us and going to college. Since then, he hasContinue reading “Think About These Things”

Meditation on Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 19-20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Oct. 8, 2023 I don’t know how old I was when I first heard about the 10 commandments. Did we learn about them in Sunday School? Maybe it was Vacation Bible School. When was the first time you heard about theContinue reading “Love 101”

Meditation on Exodus 17:1-7 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown World Communion Sunday Pastor Karen Crawford Oct. 1, 2023 Our presbytery gathered for worship and a meeting yesterday at Grace Presbyterian Church in Selden. The church building was small. It needed some paint. The yard was a bit overgrown. It was pouring rain, and I wasContinue reading “Give Us Water!”