karenpts

I Am Only a Boy

Meditation on Jeremiah 1:4–10 and First Corinthians 13:1-13 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Feb. 2, 2025 I wrote a long letter and emailed it to my friend, Britt, this week. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the weather forecast for today is -11 degrees F, with a wind chill makingContinue reading “I Am Only a Boy”

The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me

Meditation on Luke 4:14-21 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Jan. 26, 2025 This is a happy day for our congregation. Today, we will ordain and/or install our Elders and Deacons to active service. Ordination is truly God’s gift to the church—the Lord’s way of equipping and caring for the people of God.Continue reading “The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me”

The First of His Signs! Water into Wine!

Meditation on John 2: 1-11 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Jan. 19, 2025 Have you been to any weddings lately? The story of the wedding at Cana always makes me remember the little things that go wrong at weddings. One time, when I was presiding over a wedding in Ohio, theContinue reading “The First of His Signs! Water into Wine!”

Filled with Expectation!

Meditation on Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 Baptism of Our Lord Sunday Rev. Karen Crawford Jan. 12, 2025 We have just made a new memory together! One more for the history books! We remembered our baptisms and recognized those who have been baptized in our church. Most of those present today who were baptized in our churchContinue reading “Filled with Expectation!”

Christmas Moments

Meditation on Luke 2:1–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Christmas Eve: Dec. 24, 2024 Does everyone have their Christmas trees decorated? This is the first time in many years that I haven’t put up a large Christmas tree! We only have a small artificial tree on a table in our entranceContinue reading “Christmas Moments”

Comfort, O Comfort My People

Meditation on Luke 3:1-6 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Second Sunday of Advent Dec. 8, 2024 I took my cat, Liam, to the vet this week. It was time for his yearly exam and rabies’ shot. I worried how I would get him into his cat carrier, which has so many memoriesContinue reading “Comfort, O Comfort My People”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Meditation on Luke 21:25–36 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford First Sunday of Advent Dec. 1, 2024 I like figs. Do you like figs? In a tryout sermon, years ago on the First Sunday of Advent, I shared a children’s message about the lesson of the fig tree. I brought fig newtons forContinue reading “The Lesson of the Fig Tree”

A House Not Made with Human Hands

Meditation on John 14 and Second Corinthians 5:1-9 In Memory of John H. Davidsen November 27, 1927 to November 22, 2024 Pastor Karen Crawford December 1, 2024 John Davidsen was a builder by trade and calling, a master carpenter. He learned his skills by working alongside his Norwegian immigrant father, his Uncle Dan, and hisContinue reading “A House Not Made with Human Hands”

What Does It Mean to Live Faithfully?

Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:4–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford November 17, 2024 This is my first year serving on the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. When the Nominating Committee called to invite me to serve, my first instinct was to say no. To say that I was reluctant is an understatement.Continue reading “What Does It Mean to Live Faithfully?”

The God Who Weeps and Wipes Away Our Tears

Mediation on John 11:32–44 and Revelation 21:1-6a First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford All Saints’ Sunday November 3, 2024 On Halloween, we gave out candy to Trick-or-Treaters. Maybe we had about a dozen children come in costumes. Did anyone have more Trick-or-Treaters come to your door? I always enjoy it when theContinue reading “The God Who Weeps and Wipes Away Our Tears”