karenpts

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”

Redemption in Christ Jesus!

Meditation on Romans 3:19–28 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Reformation Sunday Oct. 27, 2024 A couple of days ago, I checked my Facebook feed, and I saw a memorable 26-second video. A UPS driver is making a left turn at a busy intersection. Three wild turkeys step into the white lines ofContinue reading “Redemption in Christ Jesus!”

The God Who Knows Us

Meditation on Psalm 139 In Memory of Ethel Kraft December 11, 1931 – October 16, 2024 Ethelmay Swindlehurst Kraft grew up in Jermyn, PA. The former coal mining town of a few thousand people is located on the Lackawanna River, 12 miles northeast of Scranton. She was the only child of Ken, a coal miner,Continue reading “The God Who Knows Us”

Ruth: A Love Story

Meditation on Ruth 1:22-2:13 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Oct. 20, 2024 We planted a daffodil memorial garden in the churchyard yesterday in front of a low stone wall. Betty Deerfield and Nancy Swanson measured precisely and made the holes. Brianna and Nicole Swanson placed 100 bulbs into two freshly dugContinue reading “Ruth: A Love Story”

All Things Are Possible for God

Meditation on Mark 10:17-31 Pastor Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Oct. 13, 2024 I lost a dear friend this week. Erma Ahrens was 104. Early Wednesday morning, her son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Lou Ann, called to tell me the story. The loss of Erma, and hearing the voices of sweet LouContinue reading “All Things Are Possible for God”

Who Are We That God Should Care For Us?

Meditation on Psalm 8 World Communion Sunday First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Oct. 6, 2024 “When Apollo 11’s Eagle lunar module landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin had to do something hard: Wait. They were scheduled to open the door of the lunarContinue reading “Who Are We That God Should Care For Us?”

One Brave Voice

Meditation on Esther 7:1–6, 9–10; 9:20–22 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Sept. 29, 2024 We had a women’s picnic at the manse on Wednesday. All of the women of the congregation were invited. We had a great time of food and fellowship. Many thanks to my husband, Jim, for his grillingContinue reading “One Brave Voice”

I Am the Resurrection

Meditation on John 11:17-27 In Memory of Harriet Yost October 8, 1931-September 19, 2024 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Pastor Karen Crawford Harriet Yost was a middle child before psychologists were talking about middle child syndrome—you know, the quiet child that is overlooked, excluded or neglected because of their birth order. That wasn’t Harriet!Continue reading “I Am the Resurrection”

Who Is the Greatest?

Meditation on Mark 9:30–37 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Pastor Karen Crawford Sept. 22, 2024 Our presbytery met at Shelter Island yesterday. Jim and I sat near the back of the old white church, next to the Rev. Candace Whitman, my former seminary classmate, and in front of the Rev. Emily Fowler, pastor ofContinue reading “Who Is the Greatest?”