ABOUT STONY BROOK

MENONITE CHURCH

Visiting a new church takes courage and initiative. We want you to know that you are welcome at Stony Brook anytime. Our church is a place where you are among friends.

If you are new to the community, are looking for a spiritual home, or are in need of encouragement or help, we would like to invite you to worship with us at Stony Brook Mennonite Church. Please check out below our faith values. One of the most frequently asked questions is: "Can anyone come to your church? I thought you had to be born a Mennonite to attend." We warmly welcome all persons to come to Stony Brook to experience the fellowship and friendliness of a church you can call home.

If we can help you in any way or provide more information, please contact any member of our leadership team.

BASIC BELIEFS

At the center of our faith is the need to believe in Jesus Christ as the One who died and rose from the dead so that people could live in union with God. We believe that the life and teachings of Jesus guide our daily living. We believe that the church should keep Christ's life and ministry alive in the world, just as though Christ was still living on earth: that's why we refer to the church as “the body of Christ.”

The church is made of people whose sins have been forgiven and who choose to follow Christ's teachings. We believe that Christians should try to relate to each other and the world in the same loving, forgiving way that Jesus practiced. Here are highlights of seven basic beliefs:

  • The church tries to live in obedience to the Word of God - the Bible. God's spirit, or the Holy Spirit, helps the community of believers understand that Word. The life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible help in interpreting the meaning of the Old Testament part of the Bible: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11, RSV). The Holy Spirit uses the written Word to give new life to the church and to help people grow in faith. 

  • Because we are human beings, we all sin: we commit wrongs, we don't do the things we should, and we're out of touch with God. In history, God sent Jesus Christ to the world so that all those who believe in Jesus Christ could receive forgiveness for all their sins, as well as the gift of a more whole life today and the promise of living forever with God. Taking part in regular worship service enables Christians to respond to God with praise and thanks, and to live for Jesus through the week.

  • A church is strong when its members experience God's love and are wholeheartedly committed to its purposes. For that reason, a believer's baptism is practiced to symbolize the decision of an adult to make a public commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. In baptism, the believer shows a willingness to share the good news about Jesus by words and actions.

  • Jesus Christ said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21, RSV). He sends the church to bring good news to all persons throughout the world. Jesus wants his followers to help each other. As Jesus put it, "The Spirit of the Lord... has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, ... freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind" (Luke 4:18, RSV). We also believe it's important to be concerned for both the "spiritual" and "physical" aspects of life.

  • “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5, NIV). We feel that Christians need each other for encouragement and growth, for confronting one another in a supportive way, and for help in time of crisis. The church grows in faith, unity, service, and witness when it is a caring and loving community.

  • As disciples of Jesus, we try to live under Christ's rule: for us this means loving the enemy, refusing to use violence or participate in military service, living peaceably with others at all levels, serving the poor and needy, and working actively for justice and mercy.

  • As members of the body of Christ, we try to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical health of other members. Mutual aid takes many forms, including giving time, money, and goods in times of crisis.

JOIN US AT STONY BROOK

  • It all begins with an iBefore the Sunday service, beginning at about 8:30, we have a coffee fellowship time where you can meet church members/ goers. Our goal is to help you find your way, connect with others, and get all the information you need. We want you to become integrated into our church family at your own pace, if and when you choose to do so.

    We have an attendance of approximately 100 on Sunday mornings. There are 5 adult Sunday School classes to choose from, including book studies and Bible Studies. There are new options every quarter.

    Our worship is a mixture of hymns and contemporary worship songs. An important part of our worship experience is a Biblically-based message with practical applications for everyday life.

    We often include a share and prayer time as well. Dismissal is between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. 

    Spending time together is important to us. Following the service, we enjoy visiting with each other. Occasionally we have fellowship meals to allow for longer times of visiting.

  • When you visit, you will find people dressed casually in jeans as well as in those in their Sunday best!

  • We offer age-appropriate Sunday School classes for all. Additionally, if parents would like childcare for children infant to four years-old, one of the greeters will alert the person on call for child care for that Sunday - both during Sunday School and during the worship service.

  • We are located at 15 Locust Grove Rd (corner of Market/462 and Locust Grove).

    There are "VISITOR" spaces marked in the parking lot, please feel free to use them.