THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
G E L C T , A J 14, 2026
Welcome to Grace!
Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.
Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org
We are very pleased that you have joined us for worship today! We pray that this time will be a blessing for you as God comes to you with his Word and promises and as you offer him your thanks and praise.
The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. You’ll notice that the service is a dialogue between God and us, his people. The pastor speaks to God along with the congregation and also speaks the Word of God to the people. LARGE PRINT worship folders are available at the entrances for those who desire them.
Today we are using elements from the Christian Worship (2021) hymnal. You will find these blue worship books in the hymnal racks in each pew. You will be asked to open the hymnal to participate in parts of the service today. A vocalist will aid in our singing and will be recorded for our audio disks and video live-streaming.
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during Sunday morning worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
OUR WORSHIP SERIES SAY IT OUT LOUD
The season after Pentecost features what Christ teaches, and Christians in every vocation are encouraged to say it out loud. The truths of God’s Word are good for the soul, useful for life, and more reliable than anything else in the world. Watch out for false teachers who come with wise sounding words and pious promises, but who do not base everything on the Word of God! Give thanks to the Lord for faithful servants in the ministry of the gospel and those who support them!
In this season, our worship is following this path:
First Sunday after Pentecost God is Triune
Second Sunday after Pentecost God Loves Sinners
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Love God Above All*
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Keep the Faith
Third Sunday after Pentecost Jesus Leads Us*
* These Sundays are being taken out of order to accommodate a preaching rotation.
OUR THEME FOR TODAY—LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL
Not all love is good. It is self-destructive to love bad things. It is just as harmful to love good things in a bad order. For example, it would seem to be a good thing for a man to love his dog. But if he loves his dog more than he loves his wife, his “love” for both is disordered. For love to be healthy, it needs to be properly ordered.
Christians love the people whom God has placed into their lives. But when those people desire something that God does not desire, Christians love and serve God above all. Properly ordered love leads us to be faithful to God and his Word. We love God above all because he first loved us.
+ ORDER OF WORSHIP +
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake Christian Worship 702
PRESERVICE MUSIC:
Glory to God in the Highest Marty Haugen
You Are My All In All Arr. Victor Labenske
He Will Hold Me Fast Arr. Richard Kingsmore
Please stand
INVOCATION
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Silence for meditation and reflection
Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The words of the invocation remind us that the God we meet and worship is the true and triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:8-9
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Christ gave the authority to forgive the sins of penitent sinners to his church: “Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven.” John 20:23
Mark 10:47
Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian Church.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
+ THE WORD +
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
God of all power and might, you are the giver of all that is good. Help us love you with all our heart, strengthen us in true faith, provide us with all we need, and keep us safe in your care; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.
Text: Michael A. Perry © 1982 Hope Publishing Co. Tune: Marty Haugen © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.
When we hear Aaron’s excuses, we recognize our own rationalizations.
FIRST
READING Exodus 32:15–29
15Moses turned and went down the mountain, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hand tablets that were written on both sides, written on one side and on the other. 16The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
17When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.”
18Moses said, “It is not the sound of people who shout for victory; neither is it the sound of people who cry because of defeat. But I do hear the sound of people who are celebrating.”
19As soon as Moses came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing, and Moses’ anger burned. So he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20He took the calf that they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water. Then he made the people of Israel drink it.
21Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin on them?”
22Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn. You know these people. They are set on evil, 23so they said to me, ‘Make a god for us, who will go ahead of us, because this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 24So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, pull it off.’ So they gave it to me. I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.”
25When Moses saw that the people were out of control (for Aaron had let them get so out of control that they were disgraced among their enemies), 26Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever is on the L ’s side, come to me!”
All the descendants of Levi gathered themselves together to Moses. 27He said to them, “This is what the L , the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man is to strap his sword on his thigh and go back and forth throughout the camp, from one gate of the camp to the other, and every man is to kill his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’”
28The Levites did what Moses said, and that day about three thousand men from among the people fell. 29Moses said, “Begin your service of the L today. Yes, because every man among you took a stand against his son and against his brother, the L is bestowing a blessing on you today.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING 1 Timothy 6:11–16
11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made a good confession as a witness before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep this command without spot and without fault, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which he will make known at the proper time the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or is able to see. To him be honor and power forever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand
St. Paul describes the good fight of faith. We stand out of respect for the words of Christ, our King. The Gospel Acclamation points toward the words of the Gospel.
Vocalist: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Refrain (ALL)
34“Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her motherin-law. 36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
37“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
42Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple Amen I tell you he will never lose his reward.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Please be seated
SERMON 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Please be seated
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed developed in the Early Christian Church as a personal confession of faith. It is so named because it confesses the faith taught by the Apostles of Jesus.
Loving God and Lord, you created the universe that surrounds us and the globe on which we live. You control all things through your Son, who sits at your right hand in glory.
Comfort us with the promise of your eternal presence.
Give your Word power as it works in our hearts and minds. Clear away our confusion, and demolish our doubts. Send your Spirit to strengthen both our confidence in your promises and our desire to live according to your will.
Take away our love of sinning, and restore us each day by your grace.
The signs of the times warn us that the end of time is near. Protect us from scoffers who sneer at your truth. Spare us and Christians around the world from all forms of hate and persecution.
Give us courage to carry the cross with patience and joy.
Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.
OFFERTORY:
As the Deer Martin Nystrom
These words are printed for your silent meditation:
As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone will my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye. You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone will my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
Instill in the hearts of our children a desire to follow you as they prepare for future days. Help them distinguish between what is passing and what is eternal, between instant thrills and lasting joy. Encourage more young people to prepare for service in the public ministry of the gospel.
Mold us and move us to be good examples for our youth.
Hold in your care, Lord, those who are experiencing physical or emotional pain and all who are afflicted by disease or facing death. Pour out your compassion on the grieving, and comfort the mourners who miss someone they loved.
Move us to pray for these brothers and sisters and to help when we can.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence.
Silent prayer
Whether we pray together or alone, you have promised to hear and answer us. Give us patience to accept your blessings in whatever way you send them. In your love and wisdom, prepare us for the day when you will take us to be with you forever.
Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
OFFERING
Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row and pass it along. Thank you!
HYMN—Fight the Good Fight
Christian Worship 876
Please stand
CLOSING PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. Amen.
Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record how Jesus taught his disciples to pray. We use his example prayer as part of our public worship, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers. The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The L said, “In this way they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
Please be seated ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE MUSIC: Onward Christian Soldiers Christian Worship 869
TODAY
Altar Flowers
The flowers beautifying our altar this morning were given by Sean and Mary Brearcliffe in thanks for the blessing of their daughter Erin on her birthday.
If you would like to provide flowers for the altar, please call (520-623-6633) or email (office@gracelutheransaz.org) the Grace Central Office to reserve a Sunday. The next available dates are August 2, 9, 16, & 23. The cost for the 2 bouquets is $32.50. After the 10:00 AM service you may take the flowers home or leave them to be dropped off to one of our homebound members if a visit is being made.
Fellowship
Following the 10:00 AM service this morning, you are invited to join us in the courtyard and Fellowship Hall for drinks and snacks. Thank you to Beth Williams for hosting this morning. Upcoming available dates are all of the Sundays in July and August. Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
We are continuing our look at Romans 9-16 under the theme “The Triumph of Grace.” If you have not made Sunday morning Bible study a part of your routine, this would be a great time to start! We meet at 9:00 AM in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall.
Summer Sunday School
Hey kids you know how when a really good movie ends, you wonder what happens next? And how exciting it is when a sequel is released? What about your favorite Bible stories? Join us this summer to get “The Rest of the Story” on famous Bible characters like Noah, Jonah, Joseph, and more! We hope you can join us each week for crafts, games, an interesting lesson, snacks and a whole lot of fun in a full-group setting. Sunday School meets from 8:45 to 9:45 in the Education Building every Sunday morning. Hope you can join us! Friends are welcome too!
Today we are looking at Jonah’s life in Jonah 4 and learning that Jesus loves the people we don’t and that we should ask God to give us a loving heart towards other people.
Those Assisting in Worship This Morning
Minister
Pastor Nathan Kassulke
Accompanist Kathy Parra
Vocalist
Greeters
Ushers
Naomi Kassulke
Linda Morris, Audrey Nessinger (10:00 AM)
Rusty King, Vic Thornton (7:45 AM)
Guenther and DJ, Jenn, & Zach Miller (10:00 AM)
Sound and Recording Techs...........................................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler Acknowledgements:
Daily Devotions
Grace Moments and Meditations daily devotional books are at either door to church and in the Fellowship Hall. A new Meditations book with devotions that began recently is now available. These are great tools to use for your daily Bible study!
Church History Bible Study: Wednesday
Our Wednesday Church History Class is considering the Wisconsin Synod’s transition from the Twentieth Century into the Twenty-First. Even if you have not attended this class before, you are welcome to join us as we consider how we got to where we are today! We meet together at 10:00 AM on Wednesdays and repeat the same material at 7:00 PM. Join us in the Grace-Tucson Fellowship Hall at whichever time works best for you!
Women’s Bible Study: Thursday
All ladies are invited to join Pastor Koehler for study and discussion of the book More Prepared to Answer (yours to keep at no cost) by Pastor Mark Paustian on Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Each week is an individual topic so you are able to jump in and out week-toweek as your schedule allows. Upcoming topics include People are basically good. Jesus is just one of many great men. People don’t really change. Our discussions will help us understand things better and be prepared to help others understand God’s answers.
Mission to the Children School Supply Drive
It’s time for the annual School Supply Drive for Mission to the Children! They are collecting supplies to donate to their Sonora, Mexico and South Tucson mission families. Items needed include pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks, notebooks, folders, rulers, and backpacks. $25 gift cards to Walmart or Target are also appreciated! Please ship supplies to Lori Hauser (5915 E. Beverly Street, Tucson AZ 85711). Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Staples are all shipping-friendly.
Father’s Day Barbeque: June 21
The fathers and kids of Grace Lutheran Church and the Child Learning Center are invited to a Father’s Day celebration on Sunday, June 21! A BBQ at our GraceSahuarita location will begin at 11:30 AM. We will be honoring dads with a variety of smoked, grilled, and bbq’d meats as well as sides, paired with flights of beer and/or bourbon. There will also be a bounce house for the kids! If you would like to attend, please email Pastor Heiman at revrah@gracelutheransaz.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Men of Iron & Fire: July 5 & 26
“Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the insight of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). Men of Iron & Fire is for encouragement, brotherhood, and growth as we sharpen one another in God’s Word and live out our calling as leaders in our homes, our church, and our community. We will gather at Pastor Scheuerlein’s home on Sunday, July 5, beginning at 5:00 PM for a BBQ. Please RSVP to Jeff Weinstein and also let him know if you would like to contribute something.
On Sunday, July 26, we will meet in the boardroom at Civano at 2:00 PM for a Bible study entitled “A Man of Character,” considering what Timothy can teach us about trust, studying the Word, teachability, relationships, and models for faith. Come be strengthened. Come be sharpened. You may contact Jeff Weinstein with any questions at (520)909-7649.
Grow in Grace Class
Would you like to learn more about our Savior Jesus, about the Bible that tells us about him, and about what we believe and teach at Grace? Our congregation offers a series of Bible-based lessons called Grow in Grace. Grow in Grace also serves as our membership class for those who may be interested in joining the church. If you would be interested in scheduling a Grow in Grace Class, please speak to Pastor Kassulke or Pastor Koehler or let us know online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/ GIG.
Christian Greeting Cards
A large variety of Christian greeting cards are available in the greeting card rack in the west end of the Fellowship Hall. Single cards are just $0.50 each. Money can be placed in the box on the table to the left of the card rack.
Old Forward in Christ & Devotion Books
Do you have old copies of the Forward in Christ magazine or the Meditations and Grace Moments devotion books? If you do and you would like to share them with others, please put them in the gray basket on the table next to the card rack in the Fellowship Hall. These will be given to Pastor Rautenberg on the Apache reservation to be distributed to members there.
Grace’s Counseling Services
Do you feel discouraged about your life or anxious about something - even if you aren’t sure what it is? Are you mourning the loss of friends or family members who have moved away or left this earth? Are you dealing with chronic pain or illness? Grace has a WELS certified Bible-based therapist on staff, and she would love to help you. She works two days a week in the counseling building at Grace-Tucson. To schedule an appointment with Cinda, it is best to text her at 520-581-4714 or email her at Cinda@GraceLutheranSAZ.org. Because she is on staff at Grace and supported by the congregation’s Ministry Spending Plan, there is no charge for anyone who makes an appointment. Along with a certification in trauma, an area of specialty is in relationships. Cinda also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology.
TUCSON
This schedule is subject to change. Please watch your email for the most up-to-date information or call the Grace Central Office at (520)623-6633 if you have questions.
This Week at Grace June 14 - June 21
Services 7:45a & 10:00a
Bible Hour 8:45a Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace...............................9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes June 28)
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter 9:00a Fellowship following worship
Tuesday NO Pastors’ Staff Meeting
Wednesday
Midweek Bible Study: Church History 10:00a & 7:00p
Thursday Women’s Bible Study: More Prepared to Answer...........9:00a
Sunday, June 21
Worship Services with communion.................7:45a & 10:00a Children’s Bible Hour 8:45a
Adult Bible Study: Triumph of Grace 9:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes June 28)
Lifeliners (High School) Bible Study: 1 Peter..................9:00a Fellowship following worship
BENSON Today
Worship Service 7:30a
Adult Bible Study: Epistle of James 8:45a Fellowship following worship....................................................
Wednesday NO Adult Bible Study (resumes July 1)
Sunday, June 21
Worship Service with communion 7:30a
Adult Bible Study: Epistle of James 8:45a Fellowship following worship
SAHUARITA
Worship Service 10:00a Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters 9:00a
Children’s Sunday School...............................................9:00a Fellowship following worship NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes June 21)
Wednesday Midweek Bible Study: Jesus’ Sayings ..........................10:00a NO Grow in Grace Class (resumes June 24)
Sunday, June 21
Worship Service with communion.................................
10:00a
Adult Bible Study: Paul’s Pastoral Letters 9:00a
Children’s Sunday School 9:00a Fathers’ Day BBQ 11:30a Grow in Grace Class.....................................................11:30a
Worship Service
10:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus 11:15a
Sunday, June 21
Worship Service with communion 10:00a Fellowship following worship
Adult Bible Study: Hard Sayings of Jesus ....................11:15a
Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a Worship Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a Sunday, June 21
Bible Study (Tucson) 9:00a
Services (Sahuarita & Tucson) 10:00a
One Church. Four Locations.
Proclaiming the love of Jesus in Southern Arizona since 1911.
Grace-Tucson and Central Office
830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 (520)623-6633 office@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Ronald G. Koehler III revrgk3@gracelutheransaz.org
Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke revnpk@gracelutheransaz.org
Administrative Assistant Debbie Koehler assistant@gracelutheransaz.org
Worship Coordinator Beth Kassulke music@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Sahuarita
75 W. Sahuarita Rd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (520)578-3538
Pastor Ryan A. Heiman revrah@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center (520)848-4630 receptionist@gracelutheransaz.org GraceLutheranSahuaritaCLC.com
Director—Laura Heiman director@gracelutheransaz.org
Grace-Benson and Grace-Vail
Benson
451 W. Duane St., Benson, AZ 85602
Vail
Worshipping at Esmond Station Elementary 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, Tucson, AZ 85747
Pastor Seth A. Scheuerlein revsas@gracelutheransaz.org
Office at Civano 10501 E. Seven Generations Way, Tucson, AZ 85747 (520)848-4631
Prayer Group—Laura Hodgson prayergroup@gracelutheransaz.org
Child Learning Center Mission Teachers
Vicki Smith, 3-Year Olds vsmith@gracelutheransaz.org
Theresa Pratt, Preschool tpratt@gracelutheransaz.org
Chris Leathers, After School Care cleathers@gracelutheransaz.org
Bible-Based Counselor—Cinda Drescher Office Assistant—Cora Stuhr cinda@gracelutheransaz.org office@gracelutheransaz.org (520)581-4714
Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.