Building Communities of Hope Building Communities of Hope is a 4-page introduction to the powerful impact congregations and other groups can make when they come alongside refugees and immigrants to serve as partners in rebuilding a hopeful future. • Download [PDF file] Building Communities of Hope: Getting Started is a 2-page overview of how congregations and other groups can actually get involved in community-building activities. • Download [PDF file] Books and Manuals A Faithful Response: A Study for Churches on Welcoming the Stranger is a 34-page curriculum for adults and older teens. The four-week study will help your congregation better understand the experiences of newcomers, and will inspire you to create a more welcoming community for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. • Download the study (1MB). [PDF file]         LIRS Refugee Co-Sponsorship Manual: Bringing New Hope and New Life One Family at a Time This 51-page manual is a detailed guide for congregations and other groups working with LIRS to help resettled refugees transition to life in their new U.S. communities. The manual covers general information on refugees, resettlement, and LIRS; how to organize a co-sponsorship team; the responsibilities of a co-sponsorship team; and helpful tips for the co-sponsorship process. Various appendices provide additional support resources. • Download the manual (2MB). [PDF file]         Responding to the Call: A Manual for Congregations Reaching Out to Immigrants Through Social Ministry (Manual) Built around four case studies of Lutheran congregations that accepted God’s call to welcome the stranger, this 30-page publication offers advice, sparks new ideas and raises questions for churches to consider as they embark upon this rewarding journey. • Read more about the manual. • Download the order form to request a copy of the print edition • Download the manual (859KB). [PDF file]

Brochures

		Opening Hearts, Opening Doors for Refugees This full-color, 16-page brochure gives an overview of LIRS's refugee resettlement ministries including who refugees are and how they come the the United States, LIRS's role in their transition, and how you can help through donations and service. The text of this brochure is available online in HTML and printer-friendly PDF (111KB) formats.
		Responding to the Call: Reaching Out to Immigrants Through Social Ministry (Brochure) This two-color, 8-panel brochure encourages congregations to welcome the stranger and provides practical ideas and guidance for serving newcomers. Challenges and benefits of immigrant ministries are also covered. The text of this brochure is available online.
		Welcoming the Immigrant: Information and Resources for Lutheran Congregations (Brochure) This 8-panel black-and-white brochure encourages Lutheran congregations to welcome immigrants, and provides basic information on immigration law. The brochure is available online [PDF file] to be downloaded and printed on legal size copy paper.

Liturgy Aids

Sample Sermon
Turn, Then, and Live
    Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-32; Philippians 2.1-13; Matthew 21.23-32
    Pentecost 19/ St. Michael and All Angels/ September 2002

Sample Litany
A Litany for Ministry With Uprooted People

World Refugee Sunday
Each year the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees designates June 20 as World Refugee Day. To engage congregations in awareness of the stories and needs of refugees around the world, LIRS encourages churches to observe World Refugee Sunday on the weekend closest to June 20. Each year we create bulletin inserts and other materials to help worship leaders incorporate into their liturgies a reminder of Christ’s call to welcome the stranger. These materials may also be adapted for use throughout the year. Click here for World Refugee Sunday 2007 materials.

The Good Samaritan Grant Program
The Good Samaritan Fund provides seed money to selected Lutheran congregations who wish to launch new projects that give hands-on assistance to refugees and immigrants living in the congregations' communities. Click here to read more.