Paul Bickel, Organist

St. John is fortunate to have several people on call to play our pipe organ for traditional worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Of that group, Paul Bickel, with twenty years experience playing at St. John’s, has the most musical seniority. Paul is also the accompanist for the Quarterly Choir. When “Common Lot” came on the scene about five years ago, Paul expanded his duties to play piano for that group as well. Besides being an amazing pianist and organist, Paul is the retired director of the Freeburg school district’s grade school band program.

When not keeping worship humming alone in tune and in good time, Paul operates a large farming operation. He also recently obtained his pilot’s license. He’s married to Bonnie, and they have two sons, Alex and Zach. Paul (and the rest of his family) also enjoys spending free weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Other Organists

Though Paul Bickel plays many Sundays during the church year, he enjoys an occasional Sunday off, especially during the summer or busy times during the farming season. St. John’s is amazingly fortunate to have four other talented organists to call on who help out Sunday mornings.

*Julie Daab is married to Jeff; they have two children, Hanna and Levi. Julie teaches the third grade in the New Athens school district.

*Kathy Alt and her husband Jeff have two children, Christopher and Haley. Kathy is a teacher in the Millstadt school district.

*Stephanie Reuss grew up here at St. John’s and fills in at the organist bench when work and school schedules permit. Thanks to funds made available through the Wirth Music Endowment, she was able to build on her skills as a pianist, take organ lessons, and move into our organist rotation.

*Betty Rockford has over fifty years of experience playing as an organist, nearly all of it at a neighboring UCC church, St. Peter’s in Red Bud, Illinois. After retiring from that position, Betty graciously agreed to help out here at St. John’s as the need arose.