Meditation on Ephesians 2:1-10 for Reformation Sunday Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Oct. 25, 2026 I received a call a couple of weeks ago from the presbytery’s nominating committee. It didn’t come as a surprise that the committee would ask me to serve a second 3-year-term on the Commission ofContinue reading “Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works”
Tag Archives: christianity
“Show me the money”
Meditation on Matthew 22:15-22 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford Oct. 18, 2026 I visited Tom Deakins at St. Catherine’s Hospital last Sunday. He had been hospitalized with symptoms of a stroke, but the MRI machine had been broken for the first anxious days of his stay. Finally, the machine hadContinue reading ““Show me the money””
Come, Labor On! Well done! Well done!
Meditation on Matthew 20:1-16 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY Commissioning the Choirs and Welcoming New Members Sept. 27, 2026 Do animals have morals? What do you think? Maybe it depends on the animals. I listened to an NPR/TED Talk yesterday with that title, “Do animals have morals?” “Empathy, cooperation, andContinue reading “Come, Labor On! Well done! Well done!”
Amazing Children of the Bible Series: Timothy
Meditation on 1 Timothy chapter 6 verses 6 through 16 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Sept. 20, 2026 Today, we have the joy of baptizing Valentina Bella McMaster-Castro. Valentina, daughter of Savannah McMaster and Jahn Castro, is my 21st baptism here at First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown. Twenty-one doesn’t seem likeContinue reading “Amazing Children of the Bible Series: Timothy”
Miriam
Amazing Children of the Bible Series Meditation on Exodus 1:8-2:10 Rev. Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 12, 2026 It hasn’t yet been two weeks since I returned from our denomination’s 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee. I am still processing much of what happened there. But today, I would like to shareContinue reading “Miriam”
Celebrating Our Country’s 250th Anniversary
Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown July 5, 2026 You are not going to hear the story of Miriam today! Lord willing, you will hear all about Miriam next Sunday as I begin my series on Amazing Children of the Bible. On this weekend, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of theContinue reading “Celebrating Our Country’s 250th Anniversary”
Should We Continue in Sin?
Meditation on Romans 5:8 – 6:11 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, NY June 21, 2026 Tom Michell was taking a walk by the sea, on holiday at Punte Del Este in Uruguay, when he saw the penguins washed up on the sand. It was a dreadful sight, he says in hisContinue reading “Should We Continue in Sin?”
The Harvest Is Plentiful
Meditation on Matthew 9:35–10:8 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford June 14, 2026 A 4-year-old boy in a wheelchair handed me a thank you note last Sunday. His nana had written the words, “Thank you” and “Love, Grayson.” The boy had provided a rainbow of colors with orange, green, purple, and yellowContinue reading “The Harvest Is Plentiful”
The Power of Music
Meditation on Acts 16:16-34 Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Music Ministry Appreciation Sunday June 7, 2026 Who here likes to sing and make music for the Lord? Music has always been important to me—all my life. And I cannot imagine worship without singing and instrumental music! It just wouldn’t be theContinue reading “The Power of Music”
I Am with You Always
Meditation on Matthew 28:16–20 First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown Reverend Dr. Karen Crawford Trinity Sunday May 31, 2026 Any basketball fans here? Jim and I were watching the San Antonio Spurs play Oklahoma City Thunder last Sunday night. It was game 4 in the Western Conference Finals. He wanted the Spurs to win, but heContinue reading “I Am with You Always”
