Brush: I highly recommend the Omega S-Series brushes: really excellent and also inexpensive. Although I like the Plisson, I did not at all care for The Grooming Company knot: too unyielding. But I suggest for now get an S-Series. Maggard Razors also carries them.

Razor: I do not recommend Merkur because the Merkur head design has long been superseded. Merkur is like Detroit was: still ignoring the new cars coming along because they still sell a lot of the old designs. Edwin Jagger and Mühle formerly used the Merkur head, but in 2010 they designed a new head of their own to replace it---and obviously they wanted the new head to be better, and most find that it is. Here's a blind comparison shave. However, the relatively new Parker 26C (or 24C: same head) is even more comfortable (not inclined to nick) and more efficient (removes stubble easily and effectively) than the EJ. It's $29 and is what I recommend. It's available from a wide variety of vendor. With any new razor it will be necessary to do some renewed blade exploration: a brand that best in one razor may not be best (or even good) in another. (Read this post for more info.)

SOAP: I highly recommend any of the good soaps, but if you want specificity, look at the Strop Shoppe soaps or The Drunken Goat. (Strop Shoppe soaps are sold by several dealers, including Maggard Razors.)

Here's how I make lather, and I recommend that you make a series of practice lathers using the technique to gain experience quickly. Play with brush speed, brush pressure (slightly firm is good), and how long you continue loading once you see microscopic bubbles. But do try the exact procedure before trying modifications.

Hope this helps, and welcome.