LOVELAND, Colo. -- Loveland police sent out a warning to local churches to take extra security measures after two church break-ins in less than two weeks.

At First Christian Church, workers said thieves tried to steal their Christmas spirit overnight Sunday.

“I’m thinking it takes someone pretty desperate to take from a church,” said Kirsten Bayne, the office manager at First Christian who discovered the damage.

She said burglars broke into her office, pried open a metal door and stole thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards.

The youth used the King Soopers gift cards as a fundraising tool.

A few days before, police said burglars broke into the nearby Mountain View Presbyterian Church.

“It’s the Christmas season,” said Loveland Police Detective Paul Arreola. “I’m sure that some of these donations would have gone to help needy people.”

He has been tracking down leads and released photos of people using the stolen gift cards at local grocery stores.

"I would like to talk to them. If anyone can identify them, please give me a call,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pastor Tom Webster at First Christian Church said members have already brought in checks for what was stolen and more, and he had this message for the thieves:

”God loves you. God forgives you, and Jesus hung on the cross with two thieves. They can take the money but they can’t steal the joy and the spirit of Christmas that’s here.”

Church break-ins are on the rise in Fort Collins, too.

Police say they don’t know if the burglaries are connected, but a dozen churches have been burglarized there since September.

Loveland police are warning churches to take extra security measures.