Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary is getting a distinguished “visitor” this weekend.

A reproduction of the St. John’s Bible is stopping by the church at 600 Walnut St. on Saturday and Sunday.

What is the St. John’s Bible, you ask? It’s one of the first hand-written and illuminated Bibles to be completed since the invention of the printing press.

“It brings that sense of awe back into the word of God,” said Danielle Kosanovich, the church’s director of adult ministries.

The St. John’s Bible is the brainchild of British calligrapher Donald Jackson and the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

The St. John’s Bible was officially commissioned in 1998. It’s scheduled for completion in 2009.

The church will be hosting a reproduction of three completed volumes of the book — the Pentateuch, Psalms and the gospels in a weekend filled with education and worship.

The St. John’s Bible is seven volumes — the last volumes are set for completion in December 2009 — two feet tall by three feet wide when open. The Bible is made of vellum, with 160 illuminations, and has cost

$4 million to produce. The version of the Bible used is the New Revised Standard Version.

Viewing schedule
Saturday, Nov. 22
1 - 2:30 p.m. St. John’s Tim Ternes gives a presentation on the Bible’s production.
2:30-4:30 p.m. Public viewing
5 p.m. Community worship service
7:30-9 p.m. Open viewing

Sunday, Nov. 23
The Bible will be used for the church’s worship service and a Sunday school class.