home category/post order plugin?

I want to have a particular category and a number of posts from that category listed on the home page. And maybe under that, just the title/teaser listing of category/posts? And, I want to have a paragraph on the home page that acts like an introduction. Can anyone suggest any home page plug ins that might give me this functionality, or more options on the home page? Or any other suggestions on how to make the home page look like I want it.
Thanks