Just months after Universal Church of God in Carmichael spent tens of thousands of dollars outfitting its sanctuary with new audio and visual equipment, it was robbed of those resources over the weekend. The heist took place between Saturday night and Sunday morning, police said.

Pastor of Universal Church of God Reverend Vincent Smith estimated that $40,000 worth of equipment was hauled out of the church during the robbery. He said the groundsman discovered the crime early Sunday morning.

"When I came I observed that the door was off the hinge and partly broken and resting on the side of the other door that was still intact," Rev. Smith said on Sunday shortly after the discovery.

"I didn't immediately come inside. I called the police and waited for the police to come." Smith said he believes that either a church member or a church visitor was behind the robbery. He warned that the culprits will pay for the crime.

"I speak to the criminals who did this," he said. "God loves you but he hates your nasty, dirty, thieving attitude. "I've been here for 40-something years and I just want to let you know that everybody that bothered with me and my property either they're in prison or they are under the ground. "So you should choose whatever destination you want."

Among the items stolen were several amplifiers, lapel microphones, control boards and speakers. Smith said many of the items were purchased in January. The church's first lady, Deborah Smith, said the robbery is further evidence that society is disintegrating.

"We have lost all morals and values," she said yesterday. "The church was somewhere that was sacred." Her husband agreed. "It should be a safe place where people come in to worship and praise God and when the church is not safe, may God help us in our home," he said.

Lamenting the loss, Mrs. Smith said the theft will set the church back tremendously.

"We sacrificed long to make the house of God decent and in one day they came and destroyed it," she said.

"It's a big loss." Smith said the church will work to get the equipment back.

The couple called on the perpetrators to turn themselves in.

"They will pay one way or another," Mrs. Smith said. Despite the robbery, church services went on as planned on Sunday.

Reverend Smith said he will not let the thieves deter him from carrying out God's work and preaching the gospel.

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