The members of Faith Lutheran value music in the church. In 2025, the congregation completed a major renovation to the nave both to improve the acoustic for singing and to provide room for a new pipe organ, grand piano, choir, and instrumentalists. The chancel was also completely renovated to emphasize the Word and Sacraments. You can read more about this project here.
Relevant, reverent, and Christ-focused Christian music serving communities in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and Pasco County, Florida.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
1 Chronicles 16:23
Music holds an important place in the worship life of the congregation. The role of music is chiefly to be servant to the Word. This means that the purpose of the music is to assist in the “telling of His salvation,” that is, in the proclamation of the Gospel. The church’s music is not an end to itself, but rather a means by which the Word is communicated and a vehicle for the congregation’s expressions of prayer and praise in response to their Lord.
The primary group of singers at Faith is the congregation – the whole assembly of believers gathered for worship. The people sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” as we are encouraged to do in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. From the time of the Reformation to the present, Lutherans have emphasized the importance of congregational participation in the music of the church.
“Martin Luther, the greatest of the sixteenth-century reformers, stands alone among the reformers of his day in affirming music as an excellent gift of God to be used in His praise and in the proclamation of His Word. Of all the Protestant reformers of his time, only Martin Luther unhesitatingly commended the use of music in the nourishment of the Christian life and in the worship of the church.
In contrast to Calvin, who only grudgingly permitted it a place, and Zwingli, who banished it altogether from corporate worship, Luther accorded music – next to theology – the highest place.
Luther’s views profoundly influenced all those who came in contact with him. Firmly rooted in a deep appreciation of the historic liturgy of the Western Catholic tradition, Luther instinctively came to understand through his own personal experience the exceptional power of music to move the hearts and minds of people.”
Carl F. Schalk, from Luther on Music: Paradigms of Praise
Pipe Organ
We are blessed to have a beautiful and well-equipped pipe organ as the primary instrument to accompany and lead singing. Our 1964 Hans-Detlef Kleuker instrument has an interesting history. The 13-rank, 10-stop organ has mechanical key and stop action, meaning that the only electronic components are the blower motor to supply wind and the light above the music stand. The sound palette tends toward the neo-Baroque aesthetic and the pipes are tuned to the Kirnberger III temperament.
The instrument is cataloged in the Organ Historical Society’s Pipe Organ Database. This site provides more information about the organ including the disposition, or stoplist.
Pianos
The church also has a circa 2000 Yamaha C3 grand piano in the nave, placed beside the organ and just behind the choir. Although not primarily used to accompany congregational singing, the piano is regularly heard in the services during Communion, in ensemble with other instruments, and accompanying the choir. The well-balanced size (6’ 1” in length) provides a full sound with a convincing bass register and a magnificent sense of harmony. Recognized for both its tonal quality and precise action, this model is often selected by churches and music conservatories. Thanks to the lively acoustic of the nave, the piano fills the space without electronic amplification. In addition, the church has a Yamaha M1F upright piano in the fellowship hall.
Choir
The “Generations of Faith” Choir sings in most services from September to May. The repertoire is drawn from the great library of sacred choral music, past and present. The choir also often participates in the singing of psalms, verses of hymns, the proper verse for the day, or other parts of the liturgy. Any members interested in joining the choir are invited to speak with the choir director.
Musicians
The music program is led by Michael and Claudia Nieminen. Michael, who has a Colleague diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, is the organist, and Claudia is the choir director and plays the piano. Instrumentalists and guest musicians are also involved from time to time.