The new $1.5-million organ at Christ Lutheran Church, most likely the largest organ in Maryland, speaks to the congregation with the gusto of a passionate sermon.

“When an organ is used to lead hundreds of voices in hymns, it?s very thrilling,” said Matthew Bellocchio, organ builder and project team leader from the Andover Organ Company in Massachusetts. “Accompanying a congregation, that?s [the organ?s] raison d?être.”