Denomination: Formerly CRC (Christian Reformed Church)
Organized: 1884
Beliefs:
The beliefs and doctrine of the Christian Reformed Church are based on the Holy Bible, God's infallible written Word contained in the 66 books the of Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
More info from our denominational site including creeds and confessions.
History:
The Harrison Christian Reformed Church was established over 125 years (1884) ago by Dutch homesteaders and the primary occupation of most of its members is still farming.
General:
The church holds two worship services each Sunday, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. In December, January and February the PM service is at 2:30 PM. Both services are combined with the Harrison First Reformed Church and the location of the service alternates between the two buildings-- just go where the cars are. Harrison CRC has a Men's Society, Ladies Aid, Esther Circle, and Young People's Society. Most of these meet biweekly. A group of ladies also meet every Wednesday for quilting. The church school meets for three 12 week sessions.
The First Reformed Church of Harrison is a block away. The two churches get along well and have combined services each Sunday as well as a combined service on Christmas, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Ascension Day and an occasional prayer service. The societies sometimes also have combined meetings.
Visitors will find the Harrison CRC to be a warm and friendly congregation. Members linger after each service to visit in informal groups and the groups are seldom composed of the same people.
Mission:
A high percentage of the youth of the congregation leave the area for college and to find jobs. One can go about anywhere and be able to find someone who will testify to the sound teaching they received in the Harrison CRC. Many of these people are influential and/or hold places of leadership in the communities where they live. The church must assist the homes and schools of the Harrison community to continue to provide a stable, well founded foundation in the training of it's youth to prepare them to live in a secular world. At the same time the church must meet the spiritual needs of the adult members of the congregation. Harrison CRC has several of its members residing in the Pleasant View Nursing home in Corsica, and there are several widows without close relatives in the area.
With these goals in mind the minister should direct his energies in the following areas:
A. Planning the worship services and preparing sermons.
B. Visiting members in hospitals, rest homes, or confined to homes.
C. Leading the societies and the youth group.
D. Teach a church school class ( usually the high school class )
E. Leading a service at the nursing home ( once a quarter )
F. Work with non-church members of the community.
G. Chair meetings of the council.
H. Other, as needed
Geography:
Harrison is a rural village with two churches, a Township meeting hall, and a couple dozen or so residences. Harrison is located on the plains of southeastern South Dakota in an agricultural area. There are three other Christian Reformed congregations in the immediate area: Corsica, Platte and New Holland (4 miles). The Missouri River is not to far away and provides a source of recreation with fishing, boating, and camping areas. The towns of Corsica ( 6 miles ) and Platte ( 18 miles ) provide retail services, and Mitchell, SD ( 45 miles ) is the closest metropolis with shopping malls. Sioux Falls, with a population of 100,000, is 100 miles east and has the closest commercial airport.
Parsonage:
The parsonage is a large, two story home with four bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. There is also a bath on each floor. There is a single stall attached garage.