Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10 Second Sunday of Advent Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Dec. 7, 2025 What did you picture in your mind as I read this familiar passage? Did anyone see the tree stump sprouting? A lion, ox, asp, adder, lamb, cow, wolf, and bear? Did any of you seeContinue reading “And a Little Child Shall Lead Them”
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Keep Awake
Meditation on Matthew 24:36-44 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown First Sunday of Advent Pastor Karen Crawford Nov. 30, 2025 Jim and I recently returned from a trip to Ireland. Many times, over the years, I had heard him talk about his Irish relatives and the farm where his mother had grown up. Both of Jim’sContinue reading “Keep Awake”
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
Meditation on John 11:17-27 In Memory of Marge Duddleston Nov. 12, 1943 – November 20, 2025 Nov. 24, 2025 Marge loved the feeling of the sun on her face. She looked for any window with sun. She liked a warm bath. She loved the beach. Her outfits always matched. She liked sparkles and fuzzy blanketsContinue reading “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
For you will be his witness to all the world
Meditation on Acts 22:1-16 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Nov. 9, 2025 (Baptism of Saylor Marie Schulz) Today, as we baptize little Saylor, we share more stories of the leaders of the Church, beginning with the dramatic conversion of Paul and his need to be baptized, like Saylor, as heContinue reading “For you will be his witness to all the world”
“Zacchaeus, Hurry and Come Down”
Meditation on Luke 19:1-10 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford Nov. 2, 2025 All Saints Sunday “Call me Sis,” said Julia Beckman, when I first met her. “My friends call me Sis.” So, we were to be friends, from the first moment, though I was also her pastor. Sis was aContinue reading ““Zacchaeus, Hurry and Come Down””
Be Still and Know
Meditation on Psalm 46 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reformation Sunday Oct. 26, 2025 We’ve been hearing about AI lately. Artificial Intelligence. If you don’t know what I am talking about when I say AI, that’s OK. I don’t know what I am talking about, either. Not really. Earlier this week,Continue reading “Be Still and Know”
Pray Always! Do Not Lose Heart!
Meditation on Luke 18:1-8 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Oct. 19, 2025 (Baptism of Oliver Reinhardt) Did anyone read Anne of Green Gables as a child? The story is by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery and is set in a farming village on Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century.Continue reading “Pray Always! Do Not Lose Heart!”
Praising God with a Loud Voice!
Meditation on Luke 17:11-19 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford Oct. 12, 2025 I had a nice phone conversation with Sue Potter Spencer yesterday. Does anyone remember the Potters? Sue, who now lives in Weston, MA, mailed me a large envelope of church materials belonging to her parents, Edwin and Marjorie Potter,Continue reading “Praising God with a Loud Voice!”
Embracing our History, Living our Faith
Meditation on 1 Cor. 3, selected verses (MSG) First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY The Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford Oct. 5, 2025, in honor of our 200th/350th anniversaries Four years ago, when I was in conversation with a committee seeking a pastor for the Presbyterian church in Smithtown, I was curious how a congregationContinue reading “Embracing our History, Living our Faith”
Guard This Treasure, This Precious Thing
Meditation on 1 Timothy 1:1-14 (MSG) First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford World Communion Sunday: Oct. 5, 2025 Earlier this week, families with young children received a letter from me. I told them that today, on World Communion Sunday, we would be celebrating Communion early in the service, immediately following aContinue reading “Guard This Treasure, This Precious Thing”
Sharing God's Love and Grace 