Author Archives: karenpts

Meditation on Mark 1:29–39 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Feb. 4, 2024 Everything is going well with Jim’s healing journey. Thank you for your prayers, cards, and words of encouragement. People have given me good advice about “caring for the caregiver.” The reality is that it just isn’t possible for everyContinue reading “Healing Stories: Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Others”

Meditation on Mark 1:21–28 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford January 28, 2024 It was pouring rain, dark, and foggy when we drove to South Shore University Hospital in Bayshore on Thursday morning. We left the house at 5:36 a.m.  It had been for me a night of mostly staring into the darkness,Continue reading “What Is This?!”

Meditation on Mark 1:14–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Jan. 21, 2024 I’m back! It’s good to be home with my flock. How have you been?  Traveling to Austin was, once again, an adventure. It was sleeting on the morning I left from MacArthur Airport. I couldn’t see out my window onContinue reading “Fishers of People!”

Meditation on Luke 2:1–20 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 2023 I have to ask. Who here also came to our morning worship service? Thanks for coming back! I have to make a confession. When I woke up this morning, my head wasn’t connected to my body. I hadContinue reading “Mary Treasured All These Words, Pondered Them in Her Heart”

Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 2023 In Nazareth today, two separate holy sites commemorate the annunciation. Sometimes more than one holy site commemorates the same event because two different communities claim their stretch of land is the place where a givenContinue reading “What the Angel Didn’t Say”

Meditation on John 2 In Memory of Michael John Robinson Jan. 31, 1957 – Sept. 13, 2023 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Dec. 9, 2023 He was outgoing, friendly, funny, lighthearted. He never lost his silly, child-like sense of humor. As we celebrate his life today, we remember his joy andContinue reading “Joy at the Heavenly Banquet!”

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”