Hastings Baptist Church staff say a break-in on Wednesday night, during which a data projector was stolen is "hugely sad" but will not quell their festive activities.
The projector was displaying colourful Christmas-themed images on to a screen that could be viewed from the street as part of the Lyndon Road church's annual lights display.
"It's the old thing where you try and do something and a few people ruin it for everyone," Pastor Paul Davison said.
A window was smashed near where the projector was sitting and it was taken through the smashed pane.
"It's just not Christmas," church children and family worker Jo Cox said.
"It's a really selfish thing they've done. Basically saying my needs are more than yours. It just doesn't matter what time of year it is to some people."
The church has been a fixture in the Tremains Christmas Lights Spectacular for the previous few years and the congregation had always tried to be innovative with their show.
"They have actually taken part of our Christmas display," Mrs Cox said.
"It won't deter us from doing our thing, it just means we can't do this part of the display."
Mrs Cox said the projector had been sitting by the window for the past couple of weeks leading her to believe the theft was a crime of opportunity.
The church's morning carol service on Sunday will go ahead as planned.
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