Summons left on my doorstep in California.

I need some help
First what is a summons? I read the papers and I don't see anything about having to appear in court. Only that they recorded is with the county. It doesn't say which creditor it is for just GE and what baffled me is it was just left on my doorstep - but I did two days later recieve it in the mail...
I was waiting to hire an atty to do a bk as I have not paid my credit cards in months - and I am currently in negotiations with my lender to modify my home loan to save it from foreclosure.
I am scared and stressed out - I can make this all work once I understand. I got in a real bad slump due to loss of job but working full time and stable now.... Can anyone give me direction on what I should do? I can't get a lawyer right now because I just paid one to do my modification. I can hire one after I know about the modification in about 2-4 weeks.