During the earthly ministry of Jesus, there were two things He considered important enough to command us to do: Holy Communion and baptism.

They are vital to our walk as believers in Christ and both are sacraments. And a sacrament means Christ’s real presence in the celebration.

Both are a means of grace allowing us to live in grace. The means of grace point to not only Christ present but also sin forgiven and it is through baptism we are truly wiped clean of our sin as God claims us His own for eternity.

That is why Luther was so intent on making sure we understood the importance of dying and being reborn in our baptism every single day. This rebirth in baptism keeps us reassured of God’s spiritual presence in our life and our sin forgiven for eternity.

Our gospel lesson for this first Sunday in Lent talks about the baptism of Jesus with God saying “You are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”

Just as God reached down to Jesus the day He was baptized, so too He is present in baptism to this day proclaiming to the one being baptized, and to the world, that He is claiming this child, this youth, this adult as a member of the kingdom of God forever and in God’s eyes, with this person, He is well pleased.

So, how can we live in grace through baptism?

Very easy: It is grace abound between the bookends of baptism.

Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan was the beginning of His ministry which is bookend one, and His final words to His disciples, the Great Commission, at the end with His amazing grace and everywhere in between.

Join us this Sunday at First Lutheran Church as we begin our sermon series entitled, “Living in Grace” focusing this week on baptism.

Sunday is also our monthly food cupboard, so join us for Bible study at 9:30 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., a hot lunch following the service, and the food cupboard from 1 to 2 p.m.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.