I found out Hsbc is trying to sue me...Need direction!

I was to be served with lawsuit from Hsbc, however I was not home to receive the summons. They left a note on my door to contact the server. I did contact the server, since he would not tell me who the letter was coming from, I refused to meet him to accept the the summons. However, he did tell me which court was doing the serving. So I went to the court and found out that it was Hsbc. I am not denying that i owe the money and I am willing to pay if back in small payments, but I am still looking an advantage. If you know I mean. As of yet, I have not been served by mail or in person, should I draft a debt validation letter for the attorneys, get a lawyer, answer the undelivered summons? What should I do first?