Article Image with Teaser on separate page?

I am sure this has been discussed already, but I’m having a hard time finding a solution which fits exactly what I’m trying to do. So either your answer or direction to the answer is appreciated.

I’m doing a separate page as my home page versus the one which comes with WP. In different sections of the page, there will be featured stories from various categories from WP. For each of the “features” I want to include a smaller(thumbnail) version of the primary image associated with the article that can be seen at its normal size when use clicks the link to the full article in WP. As part of this issue, I also would like to ask if how one or more images can be included as part of the data related to that story. let me if I’m wrong, but it would actually be the URL to image that is part of the data set, how do I do that?

All together I’d like to have the “thumbnail”, title, and first few words of the article within that particular feature bock.

You help and recommendations are much appreciated.