PHILADELPHIA -- A suburban Philadelphia church has had to delay essential purchases and cut costs in various programs after its receptionist stole more than $41,000 from the 480-member congregation.

Lynn E. Inglesby, 47, admitted in Bucks County Court on Aug. 7 that she opened numerous credit-card accounts in Woodside Presbyterian Church's name, buying personal items. She also admitted to misusing other church credit cards and embezzling, according to the Presbyterian News Service.

Inglesby was sentenced to three months to 23 months' house arrest, followed by three years' probation on three felony counts of theft and one felony count of credit-card fraud. She was ordered to pay more than $37,000 in restitution.

According to a letter from the church read in court, the losses have harmed Woodside's programs and forced the church to delay purchasing needed items. No details were provided.

Inglesby had worked at the church from June 1992 to 2001, when church elders uncovered the thefts. Between January 1998 and August 2001, Inglesby misused church credit cards and opened new accounts to obtain clothing, jewelry, household items, cash advances and mail-order Victoria's Secret lingerie, according to court records.

Inglesby cut herself three extra paychecks totaling $3,408 between January and May of 2001, according to court documents. She cashed more than $20,000 in church checks for personal use, claiming to have used the money for postage.

Woodside's pastor, the Rev. Douglas C. Hoglund, declined to comment. Hoglund was alerted to the theft by area businesses claiming the church was behind on payments. The church had never authorized those accounts, according to the Presbyterian News Service.