'Play Ball' goes to Bethel & Benbrook

How 'bout them Texas Rangers?

Okay, admittedly, they've slipped in their past couple of games. But they're still in contention as we move toward the All-Star break this week.

"And that's usually when the Rangers choke," noted my summer character, Nate the Disciple, as he told his story in "Play Ball" yesterday. The first stop was at Bethel United Methodist Church in Ft. Worth, TX. A member had penned alternate lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," which the congregation sang after my skit:

Take me out to meet Jesus.
Take out to be saved!
He gave his blood and his life for me,
Open my eyes that I may see.

And it's Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
Take my life, let it be:
All for Him, you and those who need me
In this stormy sea.

Then it was off to Benbrook United Methodist Church, where Tokyo-born pianist Wataru Anzai repeated the "Rally Charge" that he played just before I came in at Bethel. We also celebrated Holy Communion, a weekly practice that Rev. Patti Waser has instituted at both churches.

A woman at Bethel came up to me after the service and said, "Your skit really got to me today: the part where you said we need to get out of the stands and onto the field. I've gotten away from service work and I felt a stirring to get back in."

That made my day, even if the Rangers have been losing lately.