LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison describes the historic gavel before using it to formally open the first business session of the 65th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on Sunday, July 21. The intricately carved gavel bears the likenesses of Martin Luther and C.F.W. Walther, the Synod’s first president, and has been used at every Synod convention since 1911. (LCMS Communications)
