Church Staff
Rev. Masinelli, Anthony
Pastor
Sinclair, Cindy
Church Administrative Assistant
School Faculty
Davis, Shelly Principal
Hello, and God’s richest blessings to you! I have served in Lutheran education since 1990, beginning at Salt Lake Lutheran High School, later known as Concordia Preparatory School, in Salt Lake City. At Concordia from 1990 – 2012, I served as teacher, advisor, coach, school counselor, and in administrative roles. I have a B.A. from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI in Education with specialties in English, Health, Psychology, and History and I hold an Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix.
I am overjoyed to serve at Grace and be able to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus with all of our Grace family. Grace is a strong academic school with excellent teachers and curriculum; but the best thing about Grace is that we are a family….God’s family.
Persinger, Regena Preschool 3 & 4
I graduated from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I am married and have three children of my own that currently attend Grace or previously graduated from Grace. I absolutely love all children, but feel a special bond with teaching preschoolers. I find their joy, energy, and enthusiasm for life inspiring.
Brown, Ewa Kindergarten
I have the honor of being the kindergarten teacher! I am from Poland, where I earned a Master’s degree in Education, before moving to the U.S. in 2003. I have been teaching for over fifteen years, and now live in Utah with my husband and children. I am so happy to have recently joined the Grace team.
Hubbs, Heather 1st Grade
I was born in Chicago, but grew up in California and Utah, finishing my degree at the University of La Verne. I moved back to Utah in 2016 and have been a teacher at Grace ever since. I love sports, especially Angels baseballs, I even worked for the team for four seasons! I enjoy being creative in many different ways, through the arts, cooking, and baking.
Bennett, Patty 2nd Grade
I graduated from the University of Utah and received my Administration degree from Utah State University. I have an MS in Reading and a minor in Math from BYU. My family has been involved in Lutheran Education for many years. In 2014, I retired from Jordan School District after 27 years as an elementary teacher where I taught grades 1 – 6. My favorite grade is second because I love teaching children to read!
Carlton, Lindy 4th Grade
I am blessed to be teaching our fourth graders at Grace. I was born in East St. Louis, IL and moved with my family to Utah in 1963. I graduated from The University of Utah with a degree in Geography. After that I received my Master of Elementary Education and have been teaching ever since.
Cox, Kathie 5th & 6th Grades
I am blessed to be part of Grace Lutheran Church and School. I moved to Utah in 2011. My educational training consists of Montessori Certification for elementary school grades 4-6th, a BS in K-8th Education and an MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Strategies. It is with great pleasure I embrace the opportunity to teach the children within my care about God’s unending love for each and every one them.
Sperry, Kelly 6th Grade
I graduated from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and earned my Master of Education at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. I have previously taught pre-school, elementary, middle school, ESL and adult literacy. However, I feel a special connection when working with middle schoolers.
Frausto, Randi 7th & 8th Grade
I am a Biology Major with a Minor in Southwest Indian Tribes, ESL endorsed and holding a teaching certificate in Secondary Education. I began teaching in 1989 after graduating from Southern Utah University. I love being a part of Grace, and teaching! Each and every day God’s love is shared with every student and those students truly learn at a gifted and talented level.
Beyersdorf, Mack STEM Teacher
Lee, Dale Band Director
I’ve taught the bands at Grace Lutheran for over 20 years. I have also taught at Christ Lutheran, Concordia Preparatory, and other public schools. I attended the University of Utah and studied English and Music. I am also an instructor of the saxophone and trumpet. I’ve played with bands, including Nova Paradiso and the Swingorillas, as well as composed and recorded several CDs.
Hamilton, Elizabeth Administrative Assistant
While my educational background is in plant science and public administration, in 2018 I was blessed with the opportunity to come be a part of the Grace family and spend more time with my children. I enjoy coming to school each day getting to know all the kiddos. I also love to help out in the Grace Giving Garden!
Stueber, Denise 3rd Grade Teacher & School Librarian
Hello from the school librarian! I have been at Grace for over 20 years and have taught everything from 4th grade, handbells and recorders, 7/8th Confirmation classes and now the library classes, leading the Washington DC trips, running the Scholastic Book Fairs and each summer directing Camp Invention. Grace has been my Utah family for many years and I am honored to still be a part of it.
What We Believe
As members of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod we believe God’s Word, as we find it in the Bible, to be inspired by God Himself and without error. In the Bible, God reveals His plan for the salvation of mankind (Gospel) and also His expectations for us as His people (Law).
We believe that God created us and all things. Even though God’s original plan was for all people to be His children and live with Him in eternal happiness, mankind chose instead to rebel against God, to determine his own ways, and solve his own problems. As a result, children today are born into a world of trouble, pain, and death. While all people, including children, bear the guilt of their fallen condition, God in His mercy provided a solution to mankind’s dilemma.
That solution is found in the atoning work of Jesus Christ who took the punishment of all people’s sins upon Himself and died on a cross (the wages of sin is death – Romans 6:23a). Then, He rose from His burial tomb, demonstrating victory over all sin and death. Today, He promises that same victory to all who would simply put their trust in Him and His solution (the free gift of God is eternal life – Romans 6:23 b). God calls people into a relationship with Him through His Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is responsible for keeping us in the faith as well as leading and enlightening us by means of His Holy Word.
We believe that God’s Law (what He expects) serves the purpose of identifying sin in our lives and shows us what God would identify as good works for our life in Christ. The Law commands good works of thought, word, and deed. It also condemns and punishes sin. We believe the Gospel is the good news of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel (what God does for us) God gives forgiveness, faith, life, and the power to please Him with good works. We believe the Law shows man his sinful condition and his hopeless state before God. Once man recognizes his condition he is ready for the Gospel which is the power of God to change lives and rescue man from his sinful condition. Then having received by faith His Gospel message, it is our joyful response to live our lives for Him.
Why a Christian Education?
Few choices parents make will impact their child more than the choice of education. Your child’s view and vision of the world will be impacted by where and how they learn. At Grace Lutheran School, we are in the Kingdom work of developing not only the mind, but the heart and the spirit as well.
Our aim is to “Train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Whether it is a third grade math lesson, a middle school chapel service, a service project for the community, or a basketball practice, the focus is on developing the children of God to grow in character and discipleship. Together we share in the “oohs” and “aahs” of Creation, we celebrate the victories and successes, and bow in prayers of pain and frustration. Grace Lutheran School is a family, where God’s people join as one to celebrate and support one another in ministry!
Our History
The birth of our church known as Grace Lutheran, was conceived at Christ Lutheran Church in Murray, Utah. From there, we became the Sandy Lutheran Mission with a handful of members from Christ Lutheran along with others of the Lutheran Church in the Salt Lake Valley. The first place of worship was at Berg’s Memorial Chapel. The first service was held, December 6, 1981, and led by the Missionary-At-Large from Christ Lutheran Church, Pastor John Fiene. After a time, the congregation changed its place of worship to Mountain Shadows Reception Center.
It was on March 21, 1982 that we established our name as Grace Lutheran Church from a list of 10 suggestions. We signed the constitution of our church, adopted the Articles of Incorporation, laid plans for the selection of officers and board members, and placed a formal call to Pastor John Fiene to serve.
Those families who had requested transfer to this new congregation became the charter baptized membership of 103, which included 71, confirmed members. It was June 10, 1982 that Grace Lutheran Church was approved by the Colorado District (now Rocky Mountain District) of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
After acquiring five acres of land at 1815 East 9800 South, plans for developing the church were set in motion. Ground was broken on September 18, 1983 for the original church building and finally dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1984. It was also in 1984 that Grace began a school ministry, starting with Little Lambs Preschool which eventually grew to our current Pre3 through 8th Grade Day School.
On September 14, 1986 another expansion began with a groundbreaking ceremony. The dedication for this expansion was celebrated on June 28, 1987. Again, on May 20, 1990, Grace Lutheran Church & School broke ground to add three more classrooms and a multipurpose facility, which was build by Laborers for Christ with help from members of Grace. A new sanctuary and three new classrooms were dedicated in December 1999.